Planning

Soft Market Testing - Coppins

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

16 Jul 2025 at 15:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Jul 2025 at 09:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Soft Market Testing - Coppins," aiming to develop Coppins Court in Clacton-on-Sea. The project falls under the 'works' category, specifically targeting building completion work. As a public authority sub-central government entity, the council is engaging in preliminary market engagement as of 16th July 2025, with a questionnaire submission deadline set for 30th July 2025. The main location of the procurement is situated within the UKH3 region of the United Kingdom, and the entire initiative is informed by the 2023 Extra Care Design Guide. This is to ensure that the design meets current best practice standards, capitalising on the planning permissions initially granted in 2017.

This procurement presents valuable business growth opportunities, particularly for Developer-Landlords with experience in innovative design adaptations and sustainable building methods. The project is above the threshold, indicating a significant contract value that will interest both SMEs and VCSEs, as outlined in the eligibility criteria. Companies specialising in building completion work and possessing the capability to align with current design standards will find this opportunity particularly fitting. As this initiative is geared towards developing advanced living accommodations, enterprises focusing on modern and accessible housing solutions may gain a competitive advantage by engaging early in this tendering process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing - Coppins

Notice Description

We recognise that the design of extra care accommodation has evolved significantly in recent years. Essex County Council (ECC) is preparing to launch a competitive tender to identify a suitable Developer-Landlord to develop Coppins Court in Clacton-on-Sea. In preparation for this , we are keen to engage with experienced Developer-Landlords in the sector to discuss how evolving design standards may influence the scheme's development. Coppins Court was originally designed in 2016, and full planning permission was granted in 2017. ECC have undertaken the necessary material operations and satisfied the required pre-commencement conditions to ensure that the planning permission remains valid. The approved designs for Coppins Court were based upon the 2016 Extra Care Design Guide. However, ECC updated the design guide in 2023 to reflect current best practice. Any redesign of the proposed scheme would need to be in line with the Extra Care Design Guide 2023 which can be found here: https://www.essexproviderhub.org/media/hetbmbej/ecc-extra-care-design-guide-2023-accessible.pdf

Planning Information

Please complete the questionnaire on Procontract and provide contact details if you consent to The Independent Living Team at Essex County Council arranging virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams. The deadline for answering the questionnaire is 30/07/2025 Project information on Procontract: DN779588

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055745
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040650-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45400000 - Building completion work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
25 Nov 2025 - 1 Feb 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
joanna.smith@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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