Planning

Old Rectory Business Centre

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Aug 2025 at 16:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

13 Aug 2025 at 15:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council is in the planning stage for the procurement of management services for the Old Rectory Business Centre in Northfleet, Kent. This public authority, classified under the sub-central government, is inviting potential suppliers to participate in a market engagement exercise, which is set to conclude by 12pm on Wednesday, 27th August 2025. The procurement process will provide services in the real estate industry category, with the potential contract period starting from February 2026. The Old Rectory Business Centre, a Grade II* listed building, currently operates at nearly full capacity, providing high-quality office space, which underscores the importance of this tender in ensuring continued effective management of the facility.

This tender represents a significant growth opportunity for businesses specialising in real estate management services. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate due to the tender's suitability and potential for contract renewals extending up to 2030. Businesses equipped with the capability to manage historical properties while catering to diverse office needs will find this tender advantageous. Participation in the current market engagement phase allows businesses to influence the eventual procurement strategy, thereby tailor-fitting their capabilities to Kent County Council's specifications.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Old Rectory Business Centre

Notice Description

The Old Rectory Business Centre in Northfleet is a Kent County Council (KCC) owned facility that has been offering high quality office space to local businesses since 2009. KCC purchased the property from Gravesham Borough Council in 2004 with the intention of bringing the vacant building back into viable economic use. The centre is a Grade II* Listed building with a modern Annexe. The centre offers 28 furnished offices providing a minimum of 100 workstations. Presently, it is almost at full occupancy (96%), with a wide variety of businesses operating from the centre. KCC is planning a procurement process to procure a provider for management services at the Centre from February 2026. Prior to the commencement of the procurement process, we wish to engage with potential suppliers to gather information to help shape our delivery and procurement strategy. Therefore, KCC is seeking questionnaire responses from potential providers able to deliver management services at the Old Rectory Business Centre.

Planning Information

KCC plan to use the information and feedback we receive to develop our plans for the forthcoming procurement process. The Market Engagement Questionnaire will be used as an opportunity to build upon existing knowledge of the market. This is an open engagement exercise in which any potential providers are invited to participate. Please note that participation (or non-participation) in this engagement will confer no advantage or disadvantage during the formal procurement process. Participation in this Market Engagement exercise is not a pre-requisite to participate during the procurement stage. A summary of Market Engagement feedback will be shared with tenderers as part of any subsequent procurement process. Please find a link to the advert for the Market Engagement Questionnaire (to be submitted via the Kent Business Portal) here - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=da87569f-5878-f011-813a-005056b64545 All responses to this questionnaire should be submitted via the Kent Business Portal, no later than 12pm on Wednesday 27th August 2025. All questionnaire responses will be treated as 'commercial in confidence'.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058764
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048563-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

70 - Real estate services

CPV Codes

70000000 - Real estate services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2027 6-12 months
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
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
joseph.kay@kent.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058764-2025-08-13T17:26:27+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-13T17:26:27+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058764",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLDL-8938-YGYW",
            "name": "Kent County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLDL-8938-YGYW"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sessions House",
                "locality": "Maidstone",
                "postalCode": "ME14 1XQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ45"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Joseph.kay@kent.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.kent.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PLDL-8938-YGYW",
        "name": "Kent County Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "KCC plan to use the information and feedback we receive to develop our plans for the forthcoming procurement process. The Market Engagement Questionnaire will be used as an opportunity to build upon existing knowledge of the market. This is an open engagement exercise in which any potential providers are invited to participate. Please note that participation (or non-participation) in this engagement will confer no advantage or disadvantage during the formal procurement process. Participation in this Market Engagement exercise is not a pre-requisite to participate during the procurement stage. A summary of Market Engagement feedback will be shared with tenderers as part of any subsequent procurement process. Please find a link to the advert for the Market Engagement Questionnaire (to be submitted via the Kent Business Portal) here - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=da87569f-5878-f011-813a-005056b64545 All responses to this questionnaire should be submitted via the Kent Business Portal, no later than 12pm on Wednesday 27th August 2025. All questionnaire responses will be treated as 'commercial in confidence'.",
                "dueDate": "2025-08-27T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "048544-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048544-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-13T16:49:26+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "048563-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048563-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-13T17:26:27+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "CN250481",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Old Rectory Business Centre",
        "description": "The Old Rectory Business Centre in Northfleet is a Kent County Council (KCC) owned facility that has been offering high quality office space to local businesses since 2009. KCC purchased the property from Gravesham Borough Council in 2004 with the intention of bringing the vacant building back into viable economic use. The centre is a Grade II* Listed building with a modern Annexe. The centre offers 28 furnished offices providing a minimum of 100 workstations. Presently, it is almost at full occupancy (96%), with a wide variety of businesses operating from the centre. KCC is planning a procurement process to procure a provider for management services at the Centre from February 2026. Prior to the commencement of the procurement process, we wish to engage with potential suppliers to gather information to help shape our delivery and procurement strategy. Therefore, KCC is seeking questionnaire responses from potential providers able to deliver management services at the Old Rectory Business Centre.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "70000000",
                        "description": "Real estate services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ4",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ4",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-02-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2027-01-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-01-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "048563-2025",
                "description": "The contact email published in the initial notice has been updated."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}