This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

15 Jul 2026 at 13:29

Award

20 May 2026 at 15:34

Tender

20 Mar 2026 at 10:31

Summary of the contracting process

Chelmsford City Council, based in Essex, recently concluded a procurement process titled "Play Area Surfacing Framework," focusing on key public spaces within the region UKH36. The objective was to establish a framework with up to six suppliers for the provision of high-quality wet-pour play area surfacing. This initiative aligns with the council's goal of enhancing public spaces, following Green Flag accolades for city parks. The procurement, carried out through an open competition method, is now in the completion stage, with contracts signed on 29 May 2026. The chosen suppliers include Abacus Playground Limited, Soft Surfaces Limited, and DCM Projects Ltd, each classified as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), indicating a competitive landscape for similar size firms.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for SMEs specialising in surfacing works, particularly those adept at wet-pour applications. The framework ensures a steady stream of projects via mini-competitions, fostering long-term engagement and potential renewal options up to 2030. Businesses focusing on quality and value, especially those with robust safety policies and competitive pricing, are well-positioned to leverage this framework. Given the planned development across multiple play areas, companies with a strategic focus on infrastructure improvements will likely find this an advantageous platform for growth and market presence enhancement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Play Area Surfacing Framework

Notice Description

Chelmsford City Council, in the heart of Essex, has within its stated priorities the creation and development of high-quality public spaces. Seventeen of Chelmsford City Council's main parks across the city received the Green Flag status in 2021 with two new sites- Galleywood Common and Frankland fields receiving a green flag award for the first-time last year. The council owns around 100 play areas and as part of their maintenance plan will establish a framework of up to six suitable suppliers for the provision of Play Area Surfacing. Appointment to the framework will recognise excellence in the provision of wet-pour play surfaces, and only those companies selected for inclusion on the framework agreement will be asked to provide quotations for the playground refurbishment projects throughout the life of the framework agreement. This tender exercise is designed to select suppliers for inclusion on the framework agreement subsequent requests for quotations for individual projects will then be issued to all providers on the framework. All call off contracts for works under the terms of the framework agreement will be the subject of a mini-competition and confirmed by a Chelmsford City Council Official Order.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066fff
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066814-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

45233250 - Surfacing work except for roads

45233251 - Resurfacing works

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jul 2026Today
Submission Deadline
22 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 May 20261 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CHELMSFORD CITY 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
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1JE
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Marconi
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

ABACUS PLAYGROUND

DCM PROJECTS

SOFT SURFACES

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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