Tender

The Select Provider List for HM Coroner Removals, Transport & Storage

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Jan 2026 at 14:34

Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is inviting bids for the procurement titled "The Select Provider List for HM Coroner Removals, Transport & Storage" under the industry category of Funeral and related services. This procurement process is in the tender stage, and the council seeks to establish a list of qualified providers for services including removal, transport, and storage of deceased individuals within County Durham and Darlington. The contract offers three lots, each addressing different geographical areas, allowing providers to bid for one, two, or all three services. The tender period ends on 9th February 2026, with an award period concluding by 10th February 2026. The procurement is conducted via an open procedure, inviting multiple providers to participate in ongoing opportunities as the council deems necessary.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in funeral services, particularly those capable of providing efficient and geographic-specific body removal, transport, and storage services. The contract is well-suited for SMEs, allowing them to compete on quality and price under a pass/fail criteria system. With the contract potentially extending to 2035 and opportunities for renewal or modification, businesses can benefit from steady engagement and revenue growth in partnership with Durham County Council. Providers are encouraged to utilise the open nature of the Select Provider List to continually propose their services, adapting to potential changes in demand or legislative requirements over time.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Select Provider List for HM Coroner Removals, Transport & Storage

Notice Description

The Council wishes to develop a Select Provider List for HM Coroner Removals, Transport and Storage. This opportunity is primarily for the removal and transport of the deceased from the place of death, within the boundaries of County Durham and Darlington, to one of the following nominated mortuaries: * Darlington Memorial Hospital * University Hospital of North Durham * Newcastle Freeman Hospital There may also be a requirement of body storage should the above mortuaries exceed capacity. Providers will be asked if they are able to offer storage (in line with paragraph 2.1 - Lot 3 of the specification) at the request of the Senior Coroner. Durham County Council is seeking multiple Providers who can deliver the service(s) specified and the Select Provider List has THREE Lots (each Lot is divided into sub-lots relating to geographical areas) as detailed below based on category required. Bidders can apply for one, two, or all three lots. The Select Provider List is an open agreement where, at any time, any Provider that meets the required standards in the Selection Questionnaire can bid. However, should the Council deem there be sufficient providers to meet need then the Select Provider List may be closed and re-opened as required. The Council has the discretion to open and close selected Lots and not all Lots should it choose to. However, at the discretion of the Council, the Select Provider List may remain closed should commissioners deem there be sufficient members to meet demand. The Council makes no guarantee to any Provider that they will be awarded any work under this Select Provider List and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreement, or in aggregate under the contract. The Contract provides for no form of exclusivity and the Council is at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of these Services. Each Provider should understand that their submission constitutes an acceptance to the Council of the terms of the Contract. The contract affords the Provider merely the opportunity to respond to an invitation from the Council for the provision of services.

Lot Information

Body Removal

Lot 1 Area 1 Easington Lot 1 Area 2 Durham City Lot 1 Area 3 Chester le Street Lot 1 Area 4 Derwentside Lot 1 Area 5 Wear Valley Lot 1 Area 6 Teesdale Lot 1 Area 7 Sedgefield Lot 1 Area 8 Darlington

Options: The Council reserve the right to modify the specification: * If new legislation and/or guidance regarding the Removal, Transport and/or Storage of the Deceased is published by the governing bodies / relevant organisations. * Designated Hospital Mortuaries may change as to what is detailed in Appendix 2 - Contract Areas Designated Mortuaries within the 3A Specification. * Usage may increase/decrease subject to demand.

Renewal: 3 periods of 24 months each subject to commissioner and budget approval.

Body Transport

Lot 2 Area 1 Easington Lot 2 Area 2 Durham City Lot 2 Area 3 Chester le Street Lot 2 Area 4 Derwentside Lot 2 Area 5 Wear Valley Lot 2 Area 6 Teesdale Lot 2 Area 7 Sedgefield Lot 2 Area 8 Darlington

Options: The Council reserve the right to modify the specification: * If new legislation and/or guidance regarding the Removal, Transport and/or Storage of the Deceased is published by the governing bodies / relevant organisations. * Designated Hospital Mortuaries may change as to what is detailed in Appendix 2 - Contract Areas Designated Mortuaries within the 3A Specification. * Usage may increase/decrease subject to demand.

Renewal: 3 periods of 24 months each subject to commissioner and budget approval.

Body Storage

Lot 3 Area 1 Easington Lot 3 Area 2 Durham City Lot 3 Area 3 Chester le Street Lot 3 Area 4 Derwentside Lot 3 Area 5 Wear Valley Lot 3 Area 6 Teesdale Lot 3 Area 7 Sedgefield Lot 3 Area 8 Darlington

Options: The Council reserve the right to modify the specification: * If new legislation and/or guidance regarding the Removal, Transport and/or Storage of the Deceased is published by the governing bodies / relevant organisations. * Designated Hospital Mortuaries may change as to what is detailed in Appendix 2 - Contract Areas Designated Mortuaries within the 3A Specification. * Usage may increase/decrease subject to demand.

Renewal: 3 periods of 24 months each subject to commissioner and budget approval.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0601fb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001510-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98370000 - Funeral and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
9 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Feb 2026 - 31 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2035-08-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
corporate.procurement@durham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC13 Darlington, TLC14 Durham

Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

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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