This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

08 Jul 2026 at 15:59

Planning

12 Jan 2026 at 08:52

Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council is initiating an open procurement process for the management of 61 hotels and guest houses within its jurisdiction, under the project title "Management of Hotels and Guest Houses." This tender falls under the services category, specifically commercial property management services, and is located in the South West of England (UKK25). The current stage is the tender phase, with key submission deadlines, including the tender period ending on 5th August 2026 and the enquiry period concluding on 29th July 2026. The total budget for this six-year contract ranges from £1.4m to £2m, with a core term of four years and options for two 12-month extensions. Interested parties must submit their bids via the designated e-tendering portal.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in property and estate management, particularly those capable of developing strategic management and investment approaches for a portfolio of hotels and guest houses. It suits small to medium enterprises (SMEs) skilled in providing comprehensive management services and those adept at addressing both operational and strategic challenges. With the contract valued up to £2 million, this tender presents a potential growth path for businesses seeking to establish or expand their footprint in the public sector estate management field. The open procedure ensures a competitive environment, fostering a fair opportunity for all capable service providers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Management of Hotels and Guest Houses

Notice Description

The scope (Subject Matter of the contract) includes the management of the Contracting Authority's 61 hotels and guest houses and the initial production of a detailed strategy to outline the management and investment approach to be taken during the life of the contract. This contract does not replace a current contract; the work has been previously carried out in house, but the Contracting Authority has insufficient resources or expertise to deliver this and as a result is procuring the work. The new contract is estimated to require 9 weeks for mobilisation/ transition. Further details on the scope and Specification (Technical, Legal, Performance and Financial) can be found in Annex B1 - Specification. The total budget available is estimated between PS1.4m and PS2m over the full six-year term (please note that the core term is four years with an optional 2 x 12-months extension periods).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Further information can be found in Annex B8 - Future Modifications & Direct Awards. This provides the Contracting Authority with the flexibility to modify the contract in accordance with Schedule 8 paragraph 5 of PA23 with regard to known/unknown changes. This specifically recognises that the Contracting Authority may decide to substantively change the shape and size of the portfolio over the four to six-year contract term. At present, the nature, scope and size of such changes are not known, but nevertheless, there is the potential for significant change. The purpose of Annex B8 is to ensure that should there be significant change the Contracting Authority are afforded the flexibility to modify the contract without further competition.

Renewal: Please note that the above extension end date assumes that the Contracting Authority elects to extend the contract by the 2 x 12-months extensions that are available.

Planning Information

Dorset Council (the Council) is undertaking early market engagement with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the organisations within the property and estate management sector. This engagement relates to the Council’s potential future procurement of services for the management of its portfolio of hotels and guest houses, as well as a review to determine the long term strategic direction of that portfolio. The operational service delivery elements are intended to commence in Summer 2026. The Council wishes to seek feedback from the market in the following areas; • Deliverability of this procurement exercise • Services to be included • The relationship between day-to-day management and the initial strategic study on the future of the portfolio • Contract length • Payment mechanisms • Terms and conditions • Any further comment The process will involve relevant companies and organisations responding to the market engagement questions provided on the Council's e-tendering portal Supplying the South West Portal - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=15a3797c-aaec-f011-813c-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21 The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to express an interest in the opportunity and outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services. The deadline for responses to the Market Engagement Questionnaire is 12 noon on 30th January 2026. Please note that all responses are to be submitted via the ProContract e-tendering portal. Any clarification questions should be submitted via the Council’s e-tendering portal (ProContract) no later than 12 noon on January 23rd 2026. It is not a requirement that all sections are completed by all respondents. Please be aware that no information submitted will be treated as confidential and may be disclosed to ensure a level playing field for all participants in any procurement process that may follow. Additionally, the council will only sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) using its standard terms and conditions if subsequently requested.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06035c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064402-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, 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

70 - Real estate services


CPV Codes

70120000 - Buying and selling of real estate

70220000 - Non-residential property renting or leasing services

70310000 - Building rental or sale services

70320000 - Land rental or sale services

70332200 - Commercial property management services

70332300 - Industrial property services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DORSET COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Post Town
Dorchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK25 Dorset

Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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