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Alley Gating Repair and Maintenance

Manchester City Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

26 Aug 2026 at 09:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

19 Aug 2026 at 13:29

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Manchester City Council is procuring reactive repair and maintenance services for its alley-gating network across Manchester. The work covers inspection, repair, maintenance and replacement of gate components, including bespoke locking systems installed throughout the network. It also includes supplying and fitting replacement locks, barrels, keys, master keys and associated components, so that gates remain operational and access remains secure. The network contains more than 3,100 gates serving residential communities across the city. Access is controlled through a bespoke coded locking suite used by residents, emergency services, utility providers and authorised Council representatives. The main work category is repair and maintenance services (CPV 50000000). The opportunity is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, although the requirement depends on specialist access to the existing locking systems and infrastructure.

The procurement has been completed through a direct award to Commsec Limited, under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, because the supplier installed the original infrastructure and is the only confirmed source of replacement components for the Evva 3697EA and 6464EA locking systems. The award date was 6 August 2026. The awarded value is £350,000 excluding VAT and £420,000 including VAT. The contract period is 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031. There is one lot, covering the full requirement, and the award is above the relevant threshold. The Council’s rationale cites technical exclusivity, compatibility with the existing system and the operational and financial disruption of replacing locks and keys across the network. The selected supplier is Commsec Limited.

This procurement shows sustained demand from Manchester City Council for city-wide alley-gate maintenance linked to a large, established access-control network. A credible future competitor would need proven capability in reactive repairs, inspection, component replacement and planned maintenance for gates serving residential communities. Experience with coded locking systems, including the ability to source, fit and manage replacement locks, barrels, keys and master keys, would be central. Suppliers would also need the operational capacity to respond across Manchester, maintain secure access for residents and authorised services, and coordinate work affecting emergency services, utility providers and Council representatives. The award rationale indicates that continuity, compatibility and technical control of existing equipment were decisive, so a supplier without relevant installed-system knowledge or an equivalent route to compatible components would be poorly placed to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Alley Gating Repair and Maintenance

Notice Description

The contract is for the provision of reactive repair and maintenance services for alley gating schemes located throughout Manchester. The service includes inspection, repair, maintenance and replacement of gate components, including the bespoke locking systems installed across the Council's alley gate network. The contract also includes the provision, supply and fitting of replacement locks, barrels, keys and associated components where required to maintain operational effectiveness and secure access arrangements. The alley gating network comprises in excess of 3,100 gates serving residential communities across the city, with access controlled through a bespoke coded locking suite used by residents, emergency services, utility providers and authorised Council representatives.

Procurement Information

The contract is being awarded directly to Commsec Limited pursuant to Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. Commsec Limited installed the original alley gating infrastructure and retains exclusive access to the bespoke locking systems (Evva 3697EA and 6464EA) used throughout the Council's alley gate network. The manufacturer has confirmed that replacement locks, barrels, individual keys and master keys for these systems can only be supplied through Commsec Limited. As a result, there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and no reasonable alternative supplier is capable of providing the full range of goods and services required to maintain the existing system. A change of supplier would result in significant technical and operational difficulties. Replacing the existing locking system across the network would require the removal and replacement of locks on more than 3,100 gates, the issue of tens of thousands of replacement keys to residents and stakeholders, and extensive mapping, communications and logistical activity. The estimated direct cost of replacing the existing locking arrangements exceeds PS1.5 million, with total implementation costs potentially approaching PS2 million when associated operational and administrative requirements are taken into account. Alternative delivery models, including separating general maintenance services from lock and key provision, were considered but were assessed as operationally inefficient, likely to cause delays in service delivery, increase contract management requirements, and create additional costs and risks. The Council therefore considers that the conditions in Schedule 5 relating to technical exclusivity and compatibility with existing goods and services are satisfied and that a direct award to Commsec Limited represents the most proportionate and effective means of ensuring continuity of service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e79f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081063-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Manchester City 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
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 2LA
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COMMSEC LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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