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Arboricultural Services for Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

06 Aug 2026 at 11:40

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

31 Jul 2026 at 10:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 09:24

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swale Borough Council is procuring arboricultural services for work in the Swale area of Kent. The requirement covers scheduled tree maintenance, including climbing and groundwork, together with emergency responses and the use of specialised equipment. The council will provide a list of works and prioritise the workload. The service is expected to be delivered by a suitably qualified team with its own van, wood chipper and associated equipment. The procurement is divided into two linked areas: planned groundwork and climbing days, plus emergency and additional tree maintenance services. Both areas must be bid for and will be awarded to the same supplier. The service falls within agricultural, forestry, horticultural and related services (CPV 77000000).

The process has reached tender: the council invited Expressions of Interest and tender offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission through its e-tendering portal. Enquiries and clarifications were due by 21 August 2026 at 09:00, and Expressions of Interest and the Invitation to Tender were due by 31 August 2026 at 09:00. The planned contract runs from 15 January 2027 to 14 January 2030, with possible one-year extensions on a one-year-plus-one-year basis to 14 January 2032. The estimated value is £262,500 excluding VAT (£315,000 including VAT), comprising £175,000 excluding VAT for planned work and £87,500 excluding VAT for emergency and specialised services. Price and quality each carry 50% of the evaluation. The expected award decision date is 21 October 2026.

This opportunity suits arboricultural contractors able to provide qualified climbing and ground-working staff, with the vehicles, chipper and equipment needed to undertake council-allocated tree work. The planned service requires capacity for alternative staffing models: 21 groundwork days with a two-person team and 30 climbing days with a three-person team as the baseline, with higher-volume options also priced. Suppliers should be able to respond to emergency tree maintenance requests and provide specialised equipment when required. A satisfactory credit check, with a low or very low risk score, is required, alongside the technical capability set out in the specification. The council identifies both lots as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, although one supplier must deliver both.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Arboricultural Services for Swale Borough Council

Notice Description

Swale Borough Council is inviting Expressions of Interest to tender for arboricultural services. The contract will involve undertaking a range of arboricultural services, the contractor is expected to provide a suitably qualified team with van, chipper and equipment. It is estimated that the contractor will provide one day per week split between climbing and ground works, Swale Borough Council will provide a list of works for the team and prioritise their workload. The contract shall commence on 15th January 2027 and terminate on 14th January 2030. The council may extend the opportunity for a further 2 years on a 1yr + 1yr basis. The tender/s who submit/s the Most Advantageous Tender will be awarded the contract. Expressions of Interest and the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document must be submitted / uploaded on the Council's e-tendering portal. The closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest and the closing date for the ITT is 31st August 2026 at 09:00hrs. All communication / clarifications must be submitted via the e-tendering portal. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Sittingbourne:-Agricultural,-forestry,-horticultural,-aquacultural-and-apicultural-services./K5GMDUZKP6 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/K5GMDUZKP6

Lot Information

Groundwork days and climbing days

There are three pricing options, option 1 (51days) will be used as the baseline figure for the contract and options 2&3 (55 or 60 days) could be used if they are commercially viable. Tenderers must price all three options. Option one, split 21 ground work days (2 man team) and 30 Climbing work days (3 man team). Option two, 25 ground/ 30 climbing. Option three, 28 ground / 32 climbing.

Options: The Authority reserves the right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. It may award additional or repeat, goods, works or services in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 8 of the Act.

Renewal: The council may extend the opportunity for 2 years on a 1yr + 1yr basis.

Emergency responses and use of specialised equipment

This lot refers to The Council's additional tree maintenance budget which may rise to the value of PS17,500pa but is not guarenteed within the contract value. This lot includes work such as emergency responses and use of specialised equipment.

Options: The Authority reserves the right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. It may award additional or repeat, goods, works or services in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 8 of the Act.

Renewal: The council may extend the opportunity for 2 years on a 1yr + 1yr basis.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d84c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074619-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£262,500 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£262,500 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2027 - 14 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-07-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Swale Borough 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
SITTINGBOURNE
Postcode
ME10 3HT
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Swale
Electoral Ward
Roman
Westminster Constituency
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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