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Electric vehicle charge point operator Request for Information

South Kesteven District Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Aug 2026 at 11:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Kesteven District Council is exploring an external operator model for publicly available electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the South Kesteven district. The service would cover the future provision and operation of the Council’s existing electric vehicle charge points, with the aim of delivering a sustainable, modernised and high-quality charging network for residents, businesses and visitors. The work is a service opportunity involving electric vehicle charging operations and related vehicle infrastructure services. The Council wants the network to support renewable energy use, partnership opportunities and green growth across the district. The intended service area is South Kesteven, including Grantham and the wider district. The Council is seeking views from experienced commissioners and providers to help shape how this infrastructure should be operated in future.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is currently a soft market testing exercise, not an invitation to tender. The Council is seeking responses about delivery solutions, procurement approaches and the attractiveness of operating a portfolio of existing electric vehicle charge points. Responses to the questionnaire are expected by 12 noon on 1 September 2026. The Council expects the next notice on 1 September 2026 and has indicated a potential contract period from 7 October 2026 to 6 October 2028, with a possible extension to 7 October 2028. The procurement is planned as one lot and is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Its recorded estimated value is £0, and the intended procurement approach will be informed by the market engagement and subsequent options appraisal.

The exercise is most relevant to electric vehicle charge point operators, infrastructure owners, mobility service providers and organisations with experience of managing publicly available charging networks. It may also suit businesses able to advise on alternative delivery models, procurement structures and the operation of an existing portfolio of charge points. The Council is particularly looking for practical evidence and ideas on how to provide a sustainable, modernised service that meets the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. Experience of public-sector commissioning, operating charging infrastructure, supporting renewable energy use or developing partnership-based green growth would help suppliers contribute usefully at this stage. Businesses can use the market engagement to explain their operating models, lessons learned and views on the commercial appeal of the existing network before any future competition is defined.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Electric vehicle charge point operator Request for Information

Notice Description

South Kesteven District Council are conducting initial market research in which they are seeking information from a range of commissioners and providers to inform their procurement approach. In particular, the Council are looking to respondents to: - 1. Share learning on a range of delivery solutions 2. Share learning on different procurement approaches 3. Share feedback on the appeal of operating a portfolio of existing EV charge points Participants are invited to respond to the questions within the Soft Market Testing Questionnaire at the end of this document. Responses should be submitted via ProContract by 12:00 noon 01/09/2026. South Kesteven District Council is currently looking at options for its provision of infrastructure for electric vehicles across the district and to implement an external operator model that provides a sustainable and modernised service which meets the needs of our residents. This will align with the Council's ambitions to drive partnership opportunities to support and encourage renewable energy use in the district and unlock green growth, and ensure South Kesteven has a high-quality network of electric vehicle charging points that meets the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of South Kesteven's publicly available charging infrastructure. The Council will consider the responses received as a result of this exercise to help define the preferred operating model for its existing charge points, and to help inform the options appraisal and the decision-making process. Potential bidders will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the soft market testing. Potential bidders must also note that a response to this soft market testing exercise does not guarantee an invitation to participate in this or any future procurement exercise that the Council may conduct. Providers are invited to provide a response to the soft market questionnaire that can be accessed via the below link: https://www.eastmidstenders.org (https://www.eastmidstenders.org)/ https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=a9735dfd-e78f-f111-813c-005056b64545 The deadline for submission for the soft market testing is: 12 noon 1st September 2026.

Planning Information

Providers are invited to provide a response to the soft market questionnaire that can be accessed via the below link: https://www.eastmidstenders.org (https://www.eastmidstenders.org)/ https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=a9735dfd-e78f-f111-813c-005056b64545 The deadline for submission for the soft market testing is: 12 noon 1st September 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06db06
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073625-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50100000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services of vehicles and related equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Oct 2026 - 6 Oct 2028 2-3 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
South Kesteven District 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
GRANTHAM
Postcode
NG31 6TT
Postcode Area
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF3 Lincolnshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF30 Lincolnshire CC
Delivery Location
TLF3 Lincolnshire
Local Authority
South Kesteven
Electoral Ward
Grantham St Vincent's
Westminster Constituency
Grantham and Bourne

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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