Tender

Framework Agreement for Contract for Thinning Works in Woodland sites across County Durham

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Mar 2026 at 13:41

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council has initiated a tender process for a Framework Agreement focused on thinning works across its woodland estate in County Durham. This opportunity is divided into two Lots, with Lot 1 involving substantial timber thinnings at 32 sites each exceeding 4 hectares, and Lot 2 handling smaller site operations at 17 locations each under 4 hectares. The procurement falls under forestry services, with the tender period concluding on 13 April 2026. The contract is expected to commence on 1 May 2026 and may run until 31 March 2027, with a potential extension contingent on additional funding. This open competition welcomes submissions electronically and aims to appoint a primary contractor per Lot with reserve options in place.

This tender represents a valuable business opportunity, especially for companies specialising in forestry services and those with expertise in handling large-scale thinning operations. With multiple sites offering significant timber extraction potential, businesses can benefit financially from participating in Lot 1. Meanwhile, Lot 2 provides opportunities for companies capable of dealing with smaller-scale, more challenging extractions. The procurement method is structured to accommodate SMEs and encourages competition, thus offering robust avenues for business growth within the forestry industry. Companies adept at navigating framework agreements and those with proven capabilities in delivering efficient forestry operations are best suited to compete for this contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for Contract for Thinning Works in Woodland sites across County Durham

Notice Description

This contract is for a Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate. The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract split into two Lots. The sites generally fall into one of two categories as below and bidders are invited to tender for either one or both Lots. Lot 1 with 32 sites each offer more than 4 hectares (ha) of thinning per site. These sites are expected to make a financial return for the contractor which may cover their costs but this is not guaranteed. Bids to carry out the work for Lot 1 should reflect the fact that it is likely to be substantial timber thinnings to be brought to market by the Contractor. Lot 2 with 17 sites each offer less than 4 ha of thinning per site. These sites offer less volume and sometimes poorer extraction access or poorer opportunities to stack timber. Bids to carry out work for Lot 2 will reflect the small-scale nature of this work and the likelihood of a low volume of thinnings to be brought to the market by the Contractor. For each Lot, the Council intends to appoint a successful Contractor as number one ranked bidder on the framework. The second placed bidder will be ranked second on the Framework for each Lot and held in reserve.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - 32 Sites

Lot 1 with 32 sites each offer more than 4 hectares (ha) of thinning per site. These sites are expected to make a financial return for the contractor which may cover their costs but this is not guaranteed. Bids to carry out the work for Lot 1 should reflect the fact that it is likely to be substantial timber thinnings to be brought to market by the Contractor. Please refer to the tender documentation for full details.

Renewal: The initial duration of the proposed Framework contract is 11 months and contractors are required to complete the works within this timescale. However, if additional funding is available and subject to additional funding being available for this contract from the contract end date, the Council reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to exercise its option to extend for a period of up to 12 months. Currently there is no additional funding in place for the extension so the end date is 31/3/2027.

Lot 2 - 17 Sites

Lot 2 with 17 sites each offer less than 4 ha of thinning per site. These sites offer less volume and sometimes poorer extraction access or poorer opportunities to stack timber. Bids to carry out work for Lot 2 will reflect the small-scale nature of this work and the likelihood of a low volume of thinnings to be brought to the market by the Contractor. Please refer to the tender documentation for full details.

Renewal: The initial duration of the proposed Framework contract is 11 months and contractors are required to complete the works within this timescale. However, if additional funding is available and subject to additional funding being available for this contract from the contract end date, the Council reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to exercise its option to extend for a period of up to 12 months. Currently there is no additional funding in place for the extension so the end date is 31/3/2027.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066863
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022332-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

CPV Codes

77200000 - Forestry services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Mar 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
13 Apr 20265 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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
DURHAM COUNTY 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
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
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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