Planning

Mulching Framework - South District

FORESTRY ENGLAND (FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE FORESTRY COMMISSION)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Jun 2026 at 13:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Forestry England, acting on behalf of the Forestry Commission, is in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Mulching Framework - South District." The procurement involves services incidental to forestry, focusing on mulching operations in areas such as Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, and West Sussex. The contract, valued at £2,400,000, will cover four separate lots, each catering to distinct operational needs from standard restocking to 24-hour emergency responses for fire defensible zones. The planned contract period is from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2030, including a mid-point review. Forestry England is currently seeking preliminary market engagement with a response deadline of 30th June 2026 and forecasts future notices from 1st July 2026.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses experienced in forestry services, especially those capable of operating in heavily visited public areas. The framework is structured to accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), ensuring diverse participation. Businesses equipped with heavy-duty forestry machinery, robotic mulchers, or that can provide rapid emergency responses, will find lucrative prospects through the various lot requirements. Compliance with environmental and health & safety standards, such as the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), is crucial for potential contractors to succeed in this programme. This could significantly contribute to the growth of businesses specialising in environmental and forestry services.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Mulching Framework - South District

Notice Description

Forestry England are planning to carry out a procurement exercise to tender for these works going forward as 2 separate Geographical areas: Area 1: West: Includes Dorset (Wareham and Ringwood beat), Hampshire (New Forestry North and South) Area 2: Hampshire (Micheldever and Solent beat), Isle of Wight (Solent beat), Surrey (Chiddingfold beat), West Sussex (South Downs beat). Each of these areas have 4 lots separated by task and can be bid for separately: Lot 1: Standard restocking including stumps and post fire sites. Standard, Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested. Estimated 50ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 2: Steep slopes, sensitive sites, weeding restock sites and invasive species removal. Purpose built, small machinery, fail mulchers and robotic mulchers. Estimated 10ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 3: Mulching felled Norway Spruce sites destroying any material >8cm in diameter Heavy-duty forestry mulcher designed to process brash, stumps, and woody debris down to very fine material. Estimated 20ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 4: 24-hour emergency response to assist the Fire Service in mulching fire defensible zones. Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested. Bulldozer (Medium to large) with blade attachments that can cut to bare mineral soil. Estimation cannot be given but likely to occur during the wildfire season (March-September). Our intention is to award this contract for a period of 4 years with Annual Performance Reviews and a mid-point review point to discuss pricing (i.e. 2+2yr contract). All contractors must be highly experienced at working within heavily visited public areas. All services provided must comply with the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guides Forestry England Health and Safety Policy, and all other relevant environmental and health & safety legislation.

Planning Information

Interested parties are requested to notify Forestry England of their interest in this opportunity by sending an email to commercial.services@forestryengland.uk and marking their email for the attention of Sam Harris

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b0f8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054344-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FORESTRY ENGLAND (FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE 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
Post Town
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
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex, TLK25 Dorset
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b0f8-2026-06-09T14:41:36+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-09T14:41:36+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b0f8",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLRM-7846-HGLG",
            "name": "Forestry England (for and on behalf of the Forestry Commission)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLRM-7846-HGLG"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "620 Bristol Business Park",
                "locality": "Bristol",
                "postalCode": "BS16 1EJ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Sam Harris",
                "email": "commercial.services@forestryengland.uk",
                "telephone": "0300 067 4000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PLRM-7846-HGLG",
        "name": "Forestry England (for and on behalf of the Forestry Commission)"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Interested parties are requested to notify Forestry England of their interest in this opportunity by sending an email to commercial.services@forestryengland.uk and marking their email for the attention of Sam Harris",
                "dueDate": "2026-06-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "054344-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054344-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-09T14:41:36+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "FCCN004972",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Mulching Framework - South District",
        "description": "Forestry England are planning to carry out a procurement exercise to tender for these works going forward as 2 separate Geographical areas: Area 1: West: Includes Dorset (Wareham and Ringwood beat), Hampshire (New Forestry North and South) Area 2: Hampshire (Micheldever and Solent beat), Isle of Wight (Solent beat), Surrey (Chiddingfold beat), West Sussex (South Downs beat). Each of these areas have 4 lots separated by task and can be bid for separately: Lot 1: Standard restocking including stumps and post fire sites. Standard, Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested. Estimated 50ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 2: Steep slopes, sensitive sites, weeding restock sites and invasive species removal. Purpose built, small machinery, fail mulchers and robotic mulchers. Estimated 10ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 3: Mulching felled Norway Spruce sites destroying any material >8cm in diameter Heavy-duty forestry mulcher designed to process brash, stumps, and woody debris down to very fine material. Estimated 20ha per year (split evenly between East and West). Lot 4: 24-hour emergency response to assist the Fire Service in mulching fire defensible zones. Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested. Bulldozer (Medium to large) with blade attachments that can cut to bare mineral soil. Estimation cannot be given but likely to occur during the wildfire season (March-September). Our intention is to award this contract for a period of 4 years with Annual Performance Reviews and a mid-point review point to discuss pricing (i.e. 2+2yr contract). All contractors must be highly experienced at working within heavily visited public areas. All services provided must comply with the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guides Forestry England Health and Safety Policy, and all other relevant environmental and health & safety legislation.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "77230000",
                        "description": "Services incidental to forestry"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKK25",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 2400000,
            "amount": 2000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2030-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-07-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}