Tender

e-ITT for the provision of a Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Assessment

NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Mar 2026 at 15:29

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

New Forest District Council is seeking to commission a Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Assessment with an open tender process. This procurement falls under the services category, specifically targeting research and development consultancy, economic research, social research, and evaluation consultancy services. The opportunity is located in the United Kingdom, specifically within region UKJ3. The current stage of the procurement process is tender, with a deadline for submissions set at 16 April 2026, 12:00 noon. Interested parties are to submit electronically via the Council's e-tendering solution, Pro-Contract, on the South East Business Portal. The contract is valued at £45,000 and aims to inform the Council's Local Plan Review and emerging Economic Development Strategy.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in retail and town-centre-use analysis. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to apply, offering a chance to secure a contract covering the entire region served by New Forest District Council. With the procurement method set as below threshold open competition, businesses with competitive cost proposals coupled with high service quality can enhance their growth prospects. The evaluation criteria favour service quality at 70%, indicating that firms with robust analytic capabilities and innovative policy recommendations stand a strong chance in the competitive bidding process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

e-ITT for the provision of a Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Assessment

Notice Description

e-ITT for the provision of a Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Assessment Closing Date for Submission of Tenders 12.00 NOON, 16 APRIL 2026 to be returned electronically via the Council's e-tendering solution "Pro-Contract" hosted on the South East Business Portal (SEBP) New Forest District Council (NFDC) are carrying out this procurement exercise to identify, select and award a contract to a single supplier covering the whole region. Supplier(s) are required to satisfy the Councils selection criteria (Best Price Quality Ratio) and submit compliant bids under this tender exercise in order to be considered for contract award.?See Guide for Tenderers for further information relating to the evaluation process. Scope Overview: New Forest District Council is commissioning a consultant (or consultant team) to produce a Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Assessment for the District (excluding the National Park). The study will form a key part of the evidence base for the Council's Local Plan Review and emerging Economic Development Strategy. The appointed consultant will be required to: Assess the current vitality and viability of the District's town centres. Analyse national trends that may influence future retail and town centre uses. Provide quantitative and qualitative assessments of future retail, leisure, and town-centre-use needs up to 2043. Review and recommend updates to existing town centre boundaries and shopping frontages. Provide policy recommendations to support the long-term vibrancy of the District's town and village centres. Present initial findings to elected members and prepare a final report suitable for inclusion in the public evidence base. See Appendix B - Outcome Specification for further details. By confirming an expression of interest in this contract opportunity, tenderers will automatically receive a link to the tender information including the full specification, contract terms and tenderer response forms. All correspondence is via the Councils e-tendering portal ProContract hosted on the South East Business Portal (SEBP).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066df6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024753-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

79311400 - Economic research services

79315000 - Social research services

79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
16 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 May 2026 - 27 Jul 2026 1-6 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
NEW FOREST DISTRICT 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
LYNDHURST
Postcode
SO43 7PA
Post Town
Southampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ36 Central Hampshire
Delivery Location
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Local Authority
New Forest
Electoral Ward
Lyndhurst & Minstead
Westminster Constituency
New Forest East

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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