Official UK procurement notice
Fusion21 Grounds Maintenance Framework (2026-30)
Authority: Fusion 21 Foundation (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionFusion21 has conducted a competitive tendering procedure to establish a 4-year framework for Grounds Maintenance. The framework will cover the provision of grounds maintenance and associated services for participating contracting authorities in the United Kingdom (all ITL Level 1 regions), in accordance with the objectives and requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
The scope includes but is not limited to:
- Routine and reactive grass cutting, lawncare, and turf management.
- Maintenance of hedges, shrubs, flowerbeds, and seasonal planting.
- Weed control, including the use of approved herbicides and environmentally sustainable alternatives.
- Tree Maintenance, pruning and arboriculture works.
- Litter picking, leaf clearance, and general grounds tidiness.
- Winter services, such as gritting and snow clearance (where applicable).
- Associated inspections, reporting and compliance with relevant health and safety and environmental standards.
Following evaluation of tenders in accordance with the published award criteria, Fusion21 intends to appoint a number of suppliers to the framework across the relevant regions. Details of the successful suppliers are set out in this contract award notice (2026/S 000-043059).
The framework agreement is expected to commence on 8 June 2026.The framework will operate for a period of four years.
- Not divided into lots: The core demand from contracting authorities is for comprehensive grounds maintenance services. Sub-dividing the procurement into multiple lots is not considered to represent value for money, as the client-side cost of managing multiple small contracts would be disproportionate to any potential savings achieved. Contracting authorities are operating under significant resource pressures, which limits their ability to manage a number of separate contracts effectively. In addition, multi-lots approach may prevent suppliers from bidding for highly fragmented requirements, where a significant proportion of cost the cost is as much in overheads and getting to site (travel time) as the task in hand. Certain elements of the scope are considered supplementary rather than core requirements, but their inclusion within a single framework may help deliver operational efficiencies. The lotting strategy is not thought to exclude any competent grounds maintenance suppliers as the ability to just bid for one region exists.
CPV: Fencing, railing and safety equipment installation work · Grounds maintenance services · Horticultural services · Ice-clearing services · Landscaping work · Litter collection services · Pest-control services · Planting and maintenance services of green areas · Snow-clearing services · Sports fields maintenance services · Tree pruning and hedge trimming
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 23 bids received · 22 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 4 yrs from 8 Jun 2026
- Buyer regions
- UK
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
4% of call-off value · 4% is the maximum possible fee percentage however this may be discounted. A fee typically between 1% and 4% will apply, depending on the value of the call-off contract and the level of services required. Refer to Schedule 9 of the Framework Agreement.
Who may buy through it
The framework may be used by a contracting authority that is identified via the following link (www.fusion21.co.uk/permissible-users ↗)
Published description of the framework
For framework operation, refer to Schedule 10 - Direct Selection Process and Schedule 11 - Competitive Selection Process of the Framework Agreement.
The mechanism for determining the price payable under a call-off contract awarded without competition is either: 1. based on suppliers tendered schedules of rates; or 2. a cost-reimbursable utilising tendered fixed cost elements, including overhead, profit, preliminaries and open book variable cost elements.
- Provision of Landscaping and Watering of Indigo Place · Cross Keys Homes · 8 Oct 2026
Notices that name this framework as their framework in the official record. Many call-offs are never published, so this is a floor, not utilisation.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedPublished value£85,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
Legal and financial capacity requirements, as part of the conditions of participation, are detailed within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and as described in Appendix A - ITT Document.
Minimum insurance requirements:
Employers Liability - £10m
Public Liability - £5m
Financial capacity will be assessed in two stages against a single standard, which is whether a supplier is more likely than not to be trading in four years’ time. Stage 1 is a screening assessment using three financial ratios as proxy indicators of financial capacity, based on the published definitions in the GCF Guidance Note on assessing and monitoring economic and financial standing. These metrics assess profitability, cashflow and the ability to repay debt with defined high-risk thresholds applied. A calculator tool is provided to allow suppliers to self-assess. Tenderers that meet the threshold for all three indicators, where none of the metrics result in a high-risk outcome, will automatically be deemed to meet the required standard and pass Stage 1. Tenderers that do not meet all three thresholds will be assessed further in Stage 2.
Stage 2 is a detailed assessment for tenderers that do not meet all Stage 1 thresholds. Suppliers will be invited to provide further information on their financial position, which may include management accounts, financial statements, accountant letters and details of connected persons or organisations. Assessments will be carried out by qualified accountants and informed by a wider range of evidence, including external credit reference agencies. A performance bond or parent company guarantee may be accepted as an alternative. Suppliers that fail to provide sufficient information or that remain high risk following the detailed assessment will be deemed to fail this condition of participation.
For the full list and details of the conditions of participation, please refer to the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and Appendix A of the ITT document.
- Technical & professional ability
Technical ability requirements, as part of the conditions of participation, are detailed within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), Appendix C - Specification Document, and as described in Appendix A – ITT Document.
It is a requirement of the framework that suppliers have:
Waste Handling
Waste Carrier, Waste Broker or Waste Dealer Licence in England and/or a Registered Professional Carrier and Transporter of Waste in Scotland.
Herbicide Application
At least 1 individual with a Certificate of Competence for using herbicides such as Level 2 Award in the Safe application of Pesticides
Tree Works
At least 1 individual with a recognised and relevant qualification at or above level 2 such as:
- Level 2 Trees & Timber
- Level 2 Arborist Chainsaw Operator
- Level 2 Felling & Processing Trees
- Level 3 Forestry & Arboriculture
- Level 3 Aerial Cutting of Trees
Full details of Capability Requirements
As set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, Specification Document and ITT.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical / Quality: 60%
- Commercial / Cost: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical / Quality: Technical / Quality Sub-Criteria: Case Studies : 12% Scenario: 9% Health & Safety: 6% Risk Management: 3% Innovation: 12% Environment & Sustainability: 6% Social Value: 12%
- Commercial / Cost: Commercial / Cost Sub-Criteria: Cost Reimbursable - Contract fee / fee percentage: 10% Schedule of Rates: 10% NHF Estates Services SoR Adjustment: 10% Day Rates: 8% Out of Hours Working: 2%
- Economic & financial standing
Legal and financial capacity requirements, as part of the conditions of participation, are detailed within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and as described in Appendix A - ITT Document.
Minimum insurance requirements:
Employers Liability - £10m
Public Liability - £5m
Financial capacity will be assessed in two stages against a single standard, which is whether a supplier is more likely than not to be trading in four years’ time. Stage 1 is a screening assessment using three financial ratios as proxy indicators of financial capacity, based on the published definitions in the GCF Guidance Note on assessing and monitoring economic and financial standing. These metrics assess profitability, cashflow and the ability to repay debt with defined high-risk thresholds applied. A calculator tool is provided to allow suppliers to self-assess. Tenderers that meet the threshold for all three indicators, where none of the metrics result in a high-risk outcome, will automatically be deemed to meet the required standard and pass Stage 1. Tenderers that do not meet all three thresholds will be assessed further in Stage 2.
Stage 2 is a detailed assessment for tenderers that do not meet all Stage 1 thresholds. Suppliers will be invited to provide further information on their financial position, which may include management accounts, financial statements, accountant letters and details of connected persons or organisations. Assessments will be carried out by qualified accountants and …
- Technical & professional ability
Technical ability requirements, as part of the conditions of participation, are detailed within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), Appendix C - Specification Document, and as described in Appendix A – ITT Document.
It is a requirement of the framework that suppliers have:
Waste Handling
Waste Carrier, Waste Broker or Waste Dealer Licence in England and/or a Registered Professional Carrier and Transporter of Waste in Scotland.
Herbicide Application
At least 1 individual with a Certificate of Competence for using herbicides such as Level 2 Award in the Safe application of Pesticides
Tree Works
At least 1 individual with a recognised and relevant qualification at or above level 2 such as:
- Level 2 Trees & Timber
- Level 2 Arborist Chainsaw Operator
- Level 2 Felling & Processing Trees
- Level 3 Forestry & Arboriculture
- Level 3 Aerial Cutting of Trees
Full details of Capability Requirements
As set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, Specification Document and ITT.
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Fusion21 Grounds Maintenance Framework (2026-30)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- The framework may be used by a contracting authority that is identified via the following link (https://www.fusion21.co.uk/permissible-users)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 21 Jan 2026, 14:52 GMT
- Last source update
- 17 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 30 Apr 2026
- Authority reference
Fusion21-0605- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-005375- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060b4aFind a Tender
- Risks
The following risks could jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the Framework but because of their nature, may not be addressed in the public contract as awarded:
- TUPE
- Asset data
- IT interfacing
- Supply chain failure
Details of the Risk Register are available in the tender documentation.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 4 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 18 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 4% of call-off value · 4% is the maximum possible fee percentage however this may be discounted. A fee typically between 1% and 4% will apply, depending on the value of the call-off contract and the level of services required. Refer to Schedule 9 of the Framework Agreement.
The tender documents include:
- Appendix A - Invitation to Tender
- Appendix B - Fusion21 Framework Agreement
- Appendix C - Specification
- Appendix D - Stage 1 Screening Self Assessment
- Appendix E - Suppliers Guide
- Appendix F - Commercial Instruction
- Appendix G - Response Forms
The tender documents are attatched to this notice but are readily accessible, electronically, and free of charge via the internet at the following address: fusion21.ukp.app.jaggaer.com ↗
Tenders are to be submitted electronically via the above portal.
A 3rd party copyrighted schedule of rates is avaiable following completion of a a non-disclosure agreement. Details are included in Appendix F.
Timeline
21 Jan 2026 → 17 Sept 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published272 days ago21 Jan 2026, 14:52 GMT
- Clarification questions by244 days ago18 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends230 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown4 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent175 days ago29 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
- Award decision expected by173 days ago30 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Standstill ends162 days ago11 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts135 days ago8 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published33 days ago17 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
Notice history
7 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Jan 2026- Tender notice published21 Jan 2026, 14:52 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published29 Apr 2026, 16:19 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete29 Apr 2026, 16:19 BST
- Contract award notice published11 May 2026, 14:43 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected13 May 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published4 Jun 2026, 16:58 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published17 Sept 2026, 14:12 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2026-04: 1 release · 29 Apr 2026
- 2026-01: 1 release · 21 Jan 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire Community Works Community Interest CompanySMEVCSE, Blakedown Environment & Leisure Ltd t/a Blakedown LandscapesSME, John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance LtdSME, Majestic Grounds Maintenance LtdSME, Oxford Direct Services Trading LimitedSME, Peter Crosby Landscape LtdSME +16 more8 Jun 2026 – 7 Jun 2030Options: Call-off contracts may supply additional goods, services or works outside the scope of the description and CPV codes listed in this notice where the additional goods, services or works are ancillary to, but complementary to, goods, services or works that fall within the scope of the framework subject to the provisions of Section 74 of the Procurement Act 2023. | £85,000,000 | 29 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Grounds Maintenance (2026-30) Framework Agreement · Aspire Community Works Community Interest CompanySMEVCSE, Blakedown Environment & Leisure Ltd t/a Blakedown LandscapesSME, John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance LtdSME, Majestic Grounds Maintenance LtdSME, Oxford Direct Services Trading LimitedSME, Peter Crosby Landscape LtdSME +16 more
- Signed
- 18 May 2026
- Value
- £85,000,000
- Period
- 8 Jun 2026 – 7 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
- Options
- Call-off contracts may supply additional goods, services or works outside the scope of the description and CPV codes listed in this notice where the additional goods, services or works are ancillary to, but complementary to, goods, services or works that fall within the scope of the framework subject to the provisions of Section 74 of the Procurement Act 2023.
- Change Copy of the Framework Agreement attached.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23final-stage tenders | 17 | 1 | — |
Who bid
- did not winHorticon LtdSME · North West England
- did not winGroundscapes LimitedSME · South East England
- did not winGreentown Environmental LtdSME · Northern Ireland
- did not winGreat Oaks Tree Services ltdSME · North West England
- did not winPinnacle FM Ltd · Greater London
- wonSovini Property Services LimitedSME · North West England
- did not winRamora LimitedSME · West Midlands
- wonOxford Direct Services Trading LimitedSME · South East England
- did not winLandcaping Centre Limited · Northern Ireland
- did not winGould Landscapes LimitedSME · South East England
- did not winChequers Contract Services Limited · East of England
- did not winFairways Contracting LimitedSME · West Midlands
- did not winSherratt Group LtdSME · Wales (Cymru)
- wonBlakedown Environment & Leisure Ltd t/a Blakedown LandscapesSME · South East England
- wonUK Landscapes LimitedSME · North West England
- wonJohn O'Conner (Grounds Maintenance) LimitedSME · East of England
- did not winM&Y Maintenance & Construction Limited · North West England
- wonPeter Crosby Landscape LimitedSME · North West England
- did not winNurture Landscapes Limited · South East England
- wonAspire Community Works Community Interest CompanySMEVCSE · Greater London
- wonMajestic Grounds Maintenance LtdSME · East of England
- did not winBidvest Noonan (UK) Limited · Greater London
- did not winM J Granger Grounds Maintenance LimitedSME · East of England
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
23 commercial parties on the notice · 22 awarded- Aspire Community Works Community Interest CompanyFramework contractor
- Bidvest Noonan (UK) LimitedFramework contractor
- Blakedown Environment & Leisure Ltd t/a Blakedown LandscapesFramework contractor
- Chequers Contract Services LimitedFramework contractor
- Fairways Contracting LimitedFramework contractor
- Gould Landscapes LimitedFramework contractor
- Great Oaks Tree Services ltdFramework contractor
- Greentown Environmental LtdFramework contractor
- Groundscapes LimitedFramework contractor
- Horticon LtdBidder / tenderer
Show 13 more suppliers
- John O'Conner (Grounds Maintenance) LimitedFramework contractor
- Landcaping Centre LimitedFramework contractor
- M J Granger Grounds Maintenance LimitedFramework contractor
- M&Y Maintenance & Construction LimitedFramework contractor
- Majestic Grounds Maintenance LtdFramework contractor
- Nurture Landscapes LimitedFramework contractor
- Oxford Direct Services Trading LimitedFramework contractor
- Peter Crosby Landscape LimitedFramework contractor
- Pinnacle FM LtdFramework contractor
- Ramora LimitedFramework contractor
- Sherratt Group LtdFramework contractor
- Sovini Property Services LimitedFramework contractor
- UK Landscapes LimitedFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Signed contract Framework Agreement
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender