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Published 21 Sept 2026, 16:50 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Arboricultural and Landscaping / Horticultural Framework

Official notice Competition analysis

Authority: UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER (Education)

Framework agreement4 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services (77) Delivery: North West (UKD4)
Framework ceiling (notional) £380,000envelope for 4 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Admission open until 19 Oct 202610:00 BST · period end, not a bid countdown
Lots 4see the lot list below
Framework period 3 yrsup to 5 yrs with extensions · starts 8 Jan 2027
Bids per lot · this authority 5all categories · n=9 · competition analysis ↓

What is being bought4 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Lancaster University is looking to re-tender its Arboricultural and Landscaping / Horticultural Services, and aims to establish a framework for the following lots:

Lot 1: Arboricultural Services

Lot 2: Landscape & Horticultural Services

Sub Lot 2a: Landscape & Horticultural Services Small Works - Estimated £0 to £5,000 per commission

Sub Lot 2b: Landscape & Horticultural Services Medium Works - Estimated £5,001 to £15,000 per commission

Sub Lot 2c: Landscape & Horticultural Services Large Works - Estimated £15,001+ per commission

Lot 3: Sports Pitch Reinstatement and Renovation Services

Lot 4: Internal Greenery Maintenance Services

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Sept 2031, 23:59 BST.
  • How the procedure runs: A selection process will take place based on the responses to this Invitation to Participate document. Negotiation with preferred bidder (optional) at ITT Stage.

CPV: Horticultural services · Tree-clearing services · Tree-cutting services · Tree-maintenance services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Framework period
3 yrs · up to 5 yrs from 8 Jan 2027
Published description of the framework

On each occasion when these the services are required, Lancaster University will articulate the package of work and invite all suppliers appointed to the relevant Framework Lot to submit pricing for the package of work either via Mini-competition or Direct Award.

Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure

4 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Arboricultural ServicesRenewal 3 yrsSMEPublished value£25,000
Tree management works will be mainly undertaken in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the Client's annual tree survey. Contractors will be asked to cost the specified works on an item-by-item basis. Issued contract work shall be completed within agreed timescales. Contractors are expected to provide a responsive emergency call-out service. Emergency tree works, including situations where trees pose an immediate risk to public safety, property, highways, or access routes, shall require attendance on site from the contractor within 24 hours of notification. Contractors must demo…
Contract period: 8 Jan 2027 — 7 Jan 2030 (3 yrs) · up to 5 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: North West
Value
£25,000 exc. VAT · £30,000 inc. VAT
Extensions
Further 2 x 12-month extensions to be agreed upon satisfactory performance.
77211300 Tree-clearing services77211400 Tree-cutting services77211500 Tree-maintenance services77300000 Horticultural services

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #2Landscape & Horticultural ServicesRenewal 3 yrsSMEPublished value£25,000
Sub Lot 2a: Landscape & Horticultural Services Small Works - Estimated £0 to £5,000 per commission Sub Lot 2b: Landscape & Horticultural Services Medium Works - Estimated £5,001 to £15,000 per commission Sub Lot 2c: Landscape & Horticultural Services Large Works - Estimated £15,001+ per commission The University is seeking contractors capable of delivering a range of grounds maintenance, and landscape improvement works across its estate. Typical works may include grass cutting, hedge and shrub maintenance, weed control, litter collection, planting schemes, biodiversity projects, and hard and s…
Contract period: 8 Jan 2027 — 7 Jan 2030 (3 yrs) · up to 5 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: North West
Value
£25,000 exc. VAT · £30,000 inc. VAT
Extensions
Further 2 x 12-month extensions to be agreed upon satisfactory performance.
77211300 Tree-clearing services77211400 Tree-cutting services77211500 Tree-maintenance services77300000 Horticultural services

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #3Sports Pitch Reinstatement and Renovation ServicesRenewal 3 yrsSMEPublished value£20,000
The University is seeking contractors capable of delivering post-season sports pitch reinstatement and improvement works across its estate. Typical works may include full grass pitch renovation, decompaction, overseeding, topdressing, turf repairs, and small-scale drainage installations or repairs to improve surface performance and playability. Contractors must demonstrate the experience, resources, and specialist equipment necessary to deliver these works within agreed timescales and with minimal disruption to University activities.
Contract period: 8 Jan 2027 — 7 Jan 2030 (3 yrs) · up to 5 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: North West
Value
£20,000 exc. VAT · £24,000 inc. VAT
Extensions
Further 2 x 12-month extensions to be agreed upon satisfactory performance.
77211300 Tree-clearing services77211400 Tree-cutting services77211500 Tree-maintenance services77300000 Horticultural services

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #4Internal Greenery Maintenance ServicesRenewal 3 yrsSMEPublished value£6,000
The University is seeking contractors capable of delivering the maintenance and management of its internal living landscape features, including the Library Green Wall and Ficus Tree, with the potential for additional internal planted areas to be incorporated during the contract term. Typical works may include, irrigation management, pruning, plant health monitoring, pest and disease control, replacement planting, nutrient management, and general horticultural maintenance. Contractors must demonstrate the experience, specialist knowledge, and resources necessary to maintain high-quality interna…
Contract period: 8 Jan 2027 — 7 Jan 2030 (3 yrs) · up to 5 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: North West
Value
£6,000 exc. VAT · £7,200 inc. VAT
Extensions
Further 2 x 12-month extensions to be agreed upon satisfactory performance.
77211300 Tree-clearing services77211400 Tree-cutting services77211500 Tree-maintenance services77300000 Horticultural services

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

What it takes to win

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published — the tender pack may add more
How bids are scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 40%
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
  • Condition of participation
    Assessed on suitability of supplier's previous experience and demonstration of ability to fulfil the University's requirements. shortlisting

Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid

How UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER buys Logging services (CPV 7721) — and who usually turns up

UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER’s own published record, next to the North West England market for the same work. This notice is a framework or DPS, so only frameworks and DPS are compared. Whole-market view: Logging services (CPV 7721) →

1

How the contest usually goes

Left: this authority. Right: the market where the work is delivered. Bids and award-vs-estimate pairs are per lot, from contested frameworks and DPS only — direct awards (including PA 2023 transparency notices) report one bid by definition and are left out. On Procurement Act 2023 notices the count is the tenders assessed at the final stage, not every submission received; pairs compare like with like (VAT-exclusive, or VAT-inclusive on both sides). Empty means nothing was published, not filled in from elsewhere.

This authority

UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER

framework/DPS notices in 36 months: 5 in all categories

Bids per lot5all categories · 36m · n=9 lots
Single-bid lots0%all categories · 36m · n=9 lots
Award vs estimate10% belowall categories · 24m · n=2 pairs
Deadline → award date43dall categories · 36m · n=3 notices
Notice updates3all categories · 24m · n=17 notices
Awarded without competition0%all categories · 36m · n=5 notices
Bids per lot · history, not this notice’s lots robust · n=9
  • 1 bid 0%
  • 2–3 0%
  • 4–6 78%
  • 7+ 22%

Median 5 · 9 lots on 3 contested notices · all categories.

How procedures are run moderate · n=4
  • Open 50%
  • Selective 50%
  • Limited 0%
  • Direct 0%

5 notices · all categories. Open and selective are contested (feed the bid/price figures above); limited and direct are not.

The market · delivery region

North West England · Logging services (CPV 7721)

framework/DPS notices delivered in North West England in 36 months: 16 in CPV 7721 (16 contested) · 63 in division 77 (62 contested)

Bids per lot6CPV 7721 · 36m · n=7 lots
Single-bid lots0%CPV 7721 · 36m · n=7 lots
Award vs estimate—not measured on frameworks — a panel award is a ceiling, not a price
Deadline → award date87ddivision 77 · 36m · n=8 notices
SME bidders90%division 77 · 36m · n=15 lots
Winners based in the region76%CPV 7721 · 36m · n=58 awards
Bids per lot · history, not this notice’s lots robust · n=7
  • 1 bid 0%
  • 2–3 14%
  • 4–6 43%
  • 7+ 43%

Median 6 · 7 lots on 7 contested notices · CPV 7721.

How procedures are run robust · n=12
  • Open 67%
  • Selective 33%
  • Limited 0%
  • Direct 0%

16 notices · CPV 7721. Open and selective are contested (feed the bid/price figures above); limited and direct are not.

Method and what to read with care
  • Two columns, no blending. The authority column walks its own record only: notices in the 4-digit class, then the 2-digit division, then all categories (36 months, per lot, contested only), and as a last resort its 24-month row across all categories (per lot, contested contract notices). The market column is the notice’s primary delivery ITL1 × the same class, then division (36 months). Nothing is filled from the UK-wide class; an empty tile means the source published nothing usable.
  • Per lot, contested only. Find a Tender publishes bid counts per lot; a seven-lot tender is seven contests. Procedures awarded without competition (limited / direct) are excluded from bids, price pairs and decision days — they report one bid by definition. Frameworks and DPS are a separate population from contracts (6–7 bids per lot against 2–4) and only the notice’s own kind is shown.
  • Coverage. Roughly 40 % of notices publish a bid count; about half publish an ITL1 delivery location, so the market column reads the authority’s registered region when the notice has none (labelled). Award-vs-estimate pairs need a lot estimate, one active award on the lot, one canonical supplier and a gap under 60 %; about 30 % of pairs are exact matches (the buyer published the award at the estimate). n is on every figure; below 3 the tile is muted, never hidden.
  • Pounds. The expected award applies the authority’s median movement (or the region’s, when the authority has fewer than 3 pairs) to this notice’s estimate; the middle half uses the region’s quartiles. A multi-lot notice publishes an envelope, so the movement is applied per lot, never to the total. A benchmark, not a recommended price.
  • “Match” and “relevance” are model scores from the nightly matcher, not published facts. Find a Tender does not publish who is bidding. Never shown: contact details, payment behaviour, or a recommended price.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Open admission
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Sept 2031
First published
21 Sept 2026, 16:50 BST
Last source update
21 Sept 2026, 16:50 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end — 14 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
Authority reference
SP/26/1476
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Horticultural servicesTree-clearing servicesTree-cutting servicesTree-maintenance services
Delivery area
North West (UKD4)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0776dc Find a Tender
How it runs
A selection process will take place based on the responses to this Invitation to Participate document. Negotiation with preferred bidder (optional) at ITT Stage.

How to participate & submission route

Official notice Apply via In-tend
Submission portal named on this notice: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Expression of interest (EOI)
19 Oct 2026, 10:00 BST
Appointment period ends
19 Oct 2026, 10:00 BST
Clarification deadline
—
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
This ITP document has been made available through the University's electronic tendering portal (In-Tend). Tenderers must submit their responses to this ITP through this same portal by the deadline stipulated at the top of this letter. Website address: https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/lancaster/home In-Tend Support: 0845 557 8079 E-mail: [email protected] Any queries regarding this ITP must be directed via the In-Tend 'correspondence' function and not sent directly to more…individual Lancaster University employees or agents by email or otherwise. If you wish to be considered for tendering for this project: Complete and return the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) enclosed at Schedule 1 of this ITP via In-Tend.

Timeline

5 published dates · Europe/London
  1. Tender notice publishedearlier today
    21 Sept 2026, 16:50 BST
  2. Expressions of interest byin 28 days
    19 Oct 2026, 10:00 BST
  3. Admission / appointment period endsin 28 days · period end, not a bid countdown
    19 Oct 2026, 10:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected byin 84 days
    14 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
  5. Contract startsin 108 days
    8 Jan 2027, 00:00 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Nothing awarded yet
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Tender notice published
    21 Sept 2026, 16:50 BSTUK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: RC000657 · GB-PPON: PHYT-3516-XDZY Bailrigg, Lancaster, North West, LA1 4YW [email protected]

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Conflict of interest declarationtenderConflict of interest declarationNot published
  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specificationsThis ITP document has been made available through the University's electronic tendering portal (In-Tend). Tenderers must submit their responses to this ITP through this same portal by the deadline stipulated at the top of this letter. In-Tend Support: 0845 557 8079 E-mail: suppor…

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender