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Mowing Services - South England Forest District

Forestry Commission

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

17 Sep 2026 at 13:25

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Sep 2026 at 15:58

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

11 Jun 2026 at 13:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

15 Apr 2026 at 14:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Forestry Commission procured general forest-road and ride vegetation maintenance for Forestry England’s South England Forest District. The work is mowing and associated forestry services across seven geographically defined areas: South Downs, Chiddingfold, Solent, Isle of Wight, Micheldever, Ringwood and Public Highway Works. Contractors are responsible for maintaining vegetation across the road and ride network. The procurement was divided into seven lots because of the geographic spread, with one contractor intended for each lot, although the Isle of Wight award has two named suppliers. The delivery area is southern England, including the South Downs, Isle of Wight, Solent, Micheldever, Ringwood and Chiddingfold areas. The requirement is classified as forestry services (CPV 77230000) and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following an open procedure. Bids closed on 10 July 2026, evaluation was due to finish by 11 August, and awards were dated 14 September 2026, except Isle of Wight, dated 17 September. Awards went to Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd for South Downs (£100,000 net; £120,000 gross), Chiddingfold (£80,000; £96,000), Solent (£40,000; £48,000), Micheldever (£50,000; £60,000), Ringwood (£32,500; £39,000) and Public Highway Works (£50,000; £60,000). Isle of Wight (£70,000; £84,000) was awarded to Upton and General Farming and Contracting GFC Ltd after the original successful supplier withdrew. Contracts start on 28 September 2026, or 1 October for Isle of Wight, and run for three years, with an optional two-year extension to 27 or 30 September 2031. Evaluation weighted resource 35%, pricing 35%, communication and contract management 15%, and social value 15%.

This procurement demonstrates recurring demand from the Forestry Commission for practical vegetation maintenance on forest roads and rides across a substantial southern England operating area. A credible competitor would need to deliver mowing and forestry maintenance reliably across one or more geographically separated lots, with enough resource and operational capacity to complete the required works within the specified timeframes. The evaluation places equal emphasis on delivery resource and price, so suppliers need both a workable service model and competitive costing. Communication and contract management are material considerations, as is the ability to offer demonstrable social value. The awards also show that SME-sized suppliers can compete successfully, while bidding for groups of lots requires evidence of capacity to deliver all selected work. Relevant firms include specialist tree, vegetation, grounds or forestry contractors with strong local coverage and contract-management capability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Mowing Services - South England Forest District

Notice Description

This contract is to fulfil general forest road/ride vegetation maintenance within the South District for Forestry England's road and ride network. The contract is split into 7 Lots, due to the extent of the geographic area. The contractor can bid on an individual Lot or a group of Lots. If bidding on a group of Lots, the contractor will need to demonstrate capacity to deliver all works required within the selected Lots in the indicative time frame. Only one contractor will be assigned to each Lot.

Lot Information

South Downs

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Chiddingfold

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Solent

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Isle of Wight

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Micheldever

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Ringwood

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Public Highway Works

Renewal: The initial term of the contract is for 3 years until 31st August 2029. The contracting authority will determine whether the optional extension will be activated for an additional 2 years, with the contract then terminating 31st August 2031.

Planning Information

Forestry England are engaging with potential suppliers to understand the best methods of working to inform the development of the Specification for the eventual tender process and contract(s).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068328
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088207-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

77230000 - Services incidental to forestry

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£422,500 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£422,500 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£372,500 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 May 2026Expired
Award Date
14 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
2032-05-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Forestry Commission
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS16 1EJ
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd

GENERAL FARMING AND CONTRACTING GFC LIMITED

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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