Tender

Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

07 May 2026 at 11:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

04 Mar 2026 at 11:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cheshire West and Chester Council is inviting tenders for its "Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy" project. This procurement, currently in the tender stage, is aimed at developing an investment-ready operating model for a blended finance approach in collaboration with regulated infrastructure organisations. The contract, which falls under the financial and insurance services category, is valued at £100,000 and involves creating a financial and governance framework. The submission deadline for tenders is set for 29th May 2026, with an enquiry period ending on 22nd May 2026. The procurement is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), and the related services will be delivered within the UKD6 region.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in financial services, governance, and strategic planning to utilise their expertise in a public sector context. Particularly, those offering innovative solutions, such as blockchain-enabled assurance, stand to benefit. SMEs and VCSEs will find this procurement process particularly advantageous due to its suitability criteria, promoting inclusive participation. Success in securing this contract could enhance a company's portfolio through involvement in a high-impact government initiative with long-term environmental and social implications, making it an attractive proposition for those seeking to expand their influence in the public sector and finance markets.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy

Notice Description

The programme aims to develop and test a blended finance approach-'Match at Source'-that collaborates with regulated infrastructure organisations to achieve mutual benefits, increase scale and quality, accelerate delivery (Raise the Peak), and extend the programme's lifespan (Lengthen the Tail). This tender seeks to develop an investment-ready operating model, including clear governance of financial structures, robust monitoring and assurance, and an engagement plan with infrastructure sponsors, regulators, and appropriate government departments. Key elements include the Strategic Stretch financial model, a legal and governance framework to prevent double-counting and foster transparent attribution, potential tokenisation of Community Forest benefits, and a four-phase delivery plan culminating in a comprehensive business case before the Autumn 2028 Spending Review. The potential links to public procurement, in particular Social Value requirements, are also part of this specification, providing verified "Social Value" units that deliver high-quality impacts linked to local Community Forest Plans. Innovation is strongly encouraged, but not at the expense of the main objective, whether through tokenised, blockchain-enabled assurance (preferred) or an acceptable non-tokenised alternative that offers lower risk or quicker implementation.

Planning Information

Soft Market Test - Strategic Development for TFC Blended Finance please see SMT uploaded on www.the-chest.org.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041878-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
29 May 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
11 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER 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
ELLESMERE PORT
Postcode
CH65 0BA
Post Town
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England), TLD6 Cheshire
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Central & Grange
Westminster Constituency
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

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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