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C028PA - Deceased Storage Service

Essex County Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

13 Oct 2026 at 09:20

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Tender

26 Jun 2026 at 15:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council buys secure deceased-person storage services for its Coroner Service, covering Essex County Council’s area and the unitary authority areas of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. The work includes providing suitable storage facilities and handling deceased people in accordance with legislation, health and safety standards and good practice. The service is intended to support the council’s statutory coroner responsibilities, with consistent coverage throughout the county. Suppliers must provide dignified and respectful care as part of the service, alongside secure storage. The requirement is for specialist funeral and related services, rather than general storage alone.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure. The procurement has since been cancelled because no tender submissions were received. The deadline for clarification questions was 10 July 2026 at 23:59, and the submission deadline was 23 July 2026 at 12:00. The contract was planned to run from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031, with an option for up to two extensions and a maximum total duration of three years beyond the initial term, to 30 September 2034. The estimated value was £300,000 excluding VAT (£360,000 including VAT). Evaluation weighted commercial price at 50%, technical quality at 45% and social value at 5%.

This requirement is suited to specialist providers able to operate secure deceased-storage facilities and manage the associated handling service. Providers need enough capacity to serve demand across Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea, including the ability to respond to surges as well as routine requirements. Maintaining controlled storage temperatures and high standards of hygiene is central to delivery, as is compliance with relevant legislation, health and safety requirements and good practice. The service also calls for consistent coverage and continuity across the area, with sensitive, professional and respectful treatment at all times. Small and medium-sized enterprises were considered suitable for the opportunity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

C028PA - Deceased Storage Service

Notice Description

Essex County Council (ECC) is responsible for delivering the Coroner Service for the Essex Coroner Area, which includes the administrative areas of Essex County Council and the unitary authorities of Thurrock Council and Southend on Sea City Council. As part of this statutory function, ECC contracts specialist provider to deliver deceased storage services within the County. The scope of this requirement encompasses the provision of secure, compliant and dignified deceased body storage services across the entirety of Essex. This includes the availability of appropriate storage facilities, and all associated handling in line with applicable legislation, health and safety standards, and best practice guidelines. The service provider will be expected to ensure sufficient capacity to accommodate demand across all councils within the county, maintain strict temperature control and hygiene standards, and operate with sensitivity, professionalism and respect at all times. Coverage must be consistent and responsive, with the capability to support both routine and surge requirements, ensuring continuity of service across Essex.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract will include the option for up to two extensions, allowing for a maximum total duration of three years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06be76
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096358-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98370000 - Funeral and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Essex 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
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Postcode Area
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
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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