---
title: "Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066863"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066863"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066863.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066863.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-06-08"
---

# Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate

Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066863

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## Summary

Durham County Council has completed the procurement process for a "Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its Woodland Estate," aimed at managing woodland thinning projects across multiple sites in County Durham. This procurement process, which utilised an open competition method, was divided into two Lots. Lot 1 included 32 sites with each offering more than 4 hectares, while Lot 2 included 17 sites each with less than 4 hectares. The initiative, operating under the industry category of "Forestry services," took into account delivering substantial timber thinnings to market. The procurement process has moved past the award stage as of 8th June 2026, with works commencing on 1st May 2026. Notably, Kookaburra Environmental Ltd and Lumley Tree Services have been awarded contracts for different site lots within this framework, with potential for contract renewal contingent on funding availability.

This framework agreement represents a valuable opportunity for businesses within the forestry and environmental services sectors, particularly those proficient in timber and land management. It offers a chance for SMEs to engage in substantial timber thinning projects that could lead to financial returns covering operational costs. The division into two Lots creates varying opportunities suiting businesses of different scales, encouraging participation from both larger operations that can handle significant volumes and smaller firms skilled in managing more challenging access conditions. Given the regional focus within County Durham and the surrounding areas, local enterprises with expertise in forestry services are especially well-suited to benefit and grow through these contracts.

## Notice

Framework Agreement for a Contract for Thinning Works across its woodland estate. The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract split into two Lots. The sites generally fall into one of two categories as below and bidders are invited to tender for either one or both Lots. Lot 1 with 32 sites each offer more than 4 hectares (ha) of thinning per site. These sites are expected to make a financial return for the contractor which may cover their costs but this is not guaranteed. Bids to carry out the work for Lot 1 should reflect the fact that it is likely to be substantial timber thinnings to be brought to market by the Contractor. Lot 2 with 17 sites each offer less than 4 ha of thinning per site. These sites offer less Page 2 to 7 volume and sometimes poorer extraction access or poorer opportunities to stack timber. Bids to carry out work for Lot 2 will reflect the small-scale nature of this work and the likelihood of a low volume of thinnings to be brought to the market by the Contractor. For each Lot, the Council intends to appoint a successful Contractor as number one ranked bidder on the framework. The second placed bidder will be ranked second on the Framework for each Lot and held in reserve

### Lot Information

Lot 1 - 32 Sites

Renewal: The initial duration of the proposed Framework contract is 11 months and contractors are required to complete the works within this timescale. However, if additional funding is available and subject to additional funding being available for this contract from the contract end date, the Council reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to exercise its option to extend for a period of up to 12 months. Currently there is no additional funding in place for the extension so the end date is 31/3/2027.

Lot 2 - 17 Sites

Renewal: The initial duration of the proposed Framework contract is 11 months and contractors are required to complete the works within this timescale. However, if additional funding is available and subject to additional funding being available for this contract from the contract end date, the Council reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to exercise its option to extend for a period of up to 12 months. Currently there is no additional funding in place for the extension so the end date is 31/3/2027.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053781-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 29 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £150,000 |
| Lots value | £150,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £60,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 5WB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Framwellgate and Newton Hall |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | TLC14 Durham |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | KOOKABURRA ENVIRONMENTAL; LUMLEY TREE SERVICES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services
- 77200000 - Forestry services

## Release History

- 8 Jun 2026 at 12:28 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053781-2026
- 12 Mar 2026 at 13:41 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022332-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053781-2026
  8th June 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022332-2026
  12th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.durham.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.open-uk.org

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066863. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066863.json.