This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Aug 2026 at 11:16

Summary of the contracting process

Gentoo Group is planning services to repair, service and maintain its varied grounds-maintenance equipment fleet. The scope is expected to cover horticultural and specialist machinery, including planned servicing, routine maintenance, inspections, breakdown support and repairs. The purpose is to maintain operational continuity and minimise equipment downtime. This is a specialist machinery repair and maintenance requirement, classified under repair and maintenance services for machinery and plant. Gentoo Group is a public undertaking and the buying organisation. The engagement is intended to understand market capacity, service models, response times and geographical coverage, with particular interest in suitably qualified and accredited providers operating in the local or regional market. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This process is at pre-market engagement and planning stage, not a formal invitation to tender. Gentoo Group expects to use a framework agreement for one lot. The planned contract period is 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028, with a renewal option extending the maximum period to 31 October 2030. The estimated gross value is £120,000. A subsequent procurement notice is currently expected on 1 October 2026. Suppliers are being asked to provide market information through a questionnaire, including details of their capability, service delivery model, response times and geographical coverage. Completed questionnaires are requested by 10 September 2026. Participation is for information gathering and will inform the future procurement strategy and scope.

This engagement is intended for specialist providers that repair and maintain horticultural, grounds-maintenance or related plant and machinery. Strong candidates are likely to have suitably qualified technicians, relevant manufacturer or industry accreditations, and experience servicing varied fleets rather than a single equipment type. The buyer is seeking evidence of planned servicing, inspections, breakdown response and repair capability, together with practical response times and geographical coverage. Providers should be able to explain how they would maintain operational continuity and minimise equipment downtime. Local and regional businesses are specifically relevant because Gentoo Group is testing the capacity of that market. SMEs are identified as suitable, and early participation can help capable suppliers understand and influence the eventual service scope and delivery model.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Grounds Maintenance Equipment - Repairs and Maintenance

Notice Description

Gentoo Group is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a potential procurement exercise for the repair and maintenance of grounds maintenance equipment. We currently operate a varied fleet of equipment that requires ongoing servicing, repairs and maintenance to ensure operational continuity. Due to the specialist nature of the equipment and the limited number of approved service providers within the local/regional market, we are undertaking this pre-market engagement to: - Understand market capacity and capability - Identify suitably accredited service providers - Inform the development of our procurement approach - Encourage supplier interest in future tender opportunities This engagement is for information gathering only and does not form part of any formal procurement process.

Planning Information

Grounds Maintenance Equipment Repairs and Maintenance – Pre-Market Engagement Background Gentoo Group is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a potential procurement exercise for the provision of repair, servicing and maintenance services for its grounds maintenance equipment fleet. Gentoo Group operates a varied fleet of grounds maintenance equipment, including horticultural and specialist machinery, which requires planned servicing, routine maintenance, inspections, breakdown support and repairs to ensure operational continuity and minimise equipment downtime. Due to the specialist nature of the equipment and the limited number of suitably qualified service providers operating within the local and regional market, Gentoo Group is undertaking this pre-market engagement exercise to better understand the market and inform the development of a future procurement strategy. Purpose of Engagement The objectives of this engagement are to: Understand current market capacity and capability. Identify suitably qualified and accredited service providers. Gather information on service delivery models, response times and geographical coverage. Inform the scope and structure of any future procurement opportunity. Encourage supplier participation and interest in any subsequent tender exercise. Obtain market feedback that may assist in developing an effective and proportionate procurement approach. Supplier Participation Interested suppliers are invited to request the following documents: Supplier Questionnaire Gentoo Group Asset List The documents can be sourced by contacting neil.dixon@gentoogroup.com Suppliers should complete Section 3 – Supplier Information Request within the Questionnaire and return the completed document via email to: Neil Dixon neil.dixon@gentoogroup.com Submission Deadline Completed questionnaires must be submitted no later than: 10:00am noon on 10 September 2026 Important Information This engagement exercise is being undertaken solely for information gathering and market engagement purposes. It does not constitute a formal procurement process, invitation to tender, or commitment by Gentoo Group to commence any future procurement activity. Participation in this engagement will not confer any advantage or disadvantage on any organisation should a subsequent procurement exercise be undertaken. Gentoo Group reserves the right to use the information gathered through this exercise to inform its future procurement strategy and requirements.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e862
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079354-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

45259000 - Repair and maintenance of plant

50530000 - Repair and maintenance services of machinery

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Gentoo Group
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR3 3XR
Postcode Area
Sunderland
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC23 Sunderland

Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Doxford
Westminster Constituency
Houghton and Sunderland South

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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