Official UK procurement notice
Plymouth CAST Provision of Statutory Testing, Servicing and Reactive Repair Services
Authority: Plymouth CAST Multi Academy Trust (Central government)·On behalf of: PHP LAW LLP
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Client was seeking to appoint a single Principal Contractor to deliver the full scope of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) outlined in the specification, which includes:
a. Statutory compliance maintenance and Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) across in-scope mechanical, electrical and specialist systems (see Detailed Technical Specification for SLA Provision and other appendices).
b. Reactive maintenance in line with the response model in Response Times.
c. Technical support and management of specialist subcontractors engaged under this Contract.
d. 24/7 operations support for emergencies.
e. While elements of the service may be subcontracted, the Contractor will remain the sole point of contact for the Client and will retain full responsibility for the coordination, management, and successful delivery of all aspects of the contract.
The Contractor must:
a. Ensure and provide proofs that all employees and subcontractors meet and maintain the required standards of competence, compliance, and performance.
b. Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Client, regardless of subcontractor involvement.
c. Be accountable for all service outcomes, including timeliness, quality, and statutory compliance.
d. Provide a unified reporting structure and escalation process for all services delivered under the contract.
e. This approach is intended to ensure streamlined communication, efficient contract management, and clear
accountability throughout the duration of the agreement.
- No preliminary market engagement: A planned procurement notice was published. The justification is that the requirements are not complex, or niche, the Trust already understands what they want the service to deliver, and the market is known.
CPV: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services · Building and facilities management services · Construction work · Environmental services · Firefighting, rescue and safety equipment · Repair and maintenance services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£16,500,000
- Economic & financial standing
Due diligence checks will be undertaken to determine a Tenderer's financial standing. This will incorporate credit checks and a financial appraisal. To constitute a pass, tenderers must: a) Complete a credit check & financial appraisal. No outstanding CCJ's or bankruptcy must be shown. a) A minimum average annual turnover over the past two years of 1.5 times the Annual Contract Value. Any answers which lead the Trust, acting reasonably, to conclude, considering the risk that the relevant answer suggests about the Tenderer's ability to properly perform the specification, then the Tenderer may be rejected. Insurances a. Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = [£10m] b. Public Liability Insurance = [£10m] c. Professional Indemnity Insurance = [£5m] d. Design Liability Insurance = [£5m]
- Technical & professional ability
Refer to Document 2c Contractor Competencies & Accreditations Provide details of up to three and at least one contract to meet conditions of participation relating to technical ability set out in the relevant notice or procurement documents, in the public sector for a multi site and multi discipline servicing contract. To constitute a pass, the contract example(s) provided shall be relevant to the requirement, with a sufficient level of detail that provides confidence in the Tenderer's established past experience in similar and relevant projects/contracts.
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 (12)
- Contractor Responsibility & Service Delivery Model: 12.5%
- Management of Service: 12.5%
- Case Study: 2.5%
- Statutory Compliance Service: 7.5%
- Reactive Repairs & Emergency Service: 5%
- Repairs & Maintenance Outside of Service Contract Requirements: 5%
- Additional Professional Services Support: 2.5%
- Contract Mobilisation & Risk Management: 2.5%
- Total Annual Service Cost: 30%
- Reactive Works Labour Rates: 7.5%
- Material Mark-Up: 2.5%
- Sustainability: 10%
Published award criteria (12)
- Contractor Responsibility & Service Delivery Model
- Management of Service
- Case Study
- Statutory Compliance Service
- Reactive Repairs & Emergency Service
- Repairs & Maintenance Outside of Service Contract Requirements
- Additional Professional Services Support
- Contract Mobilisation & Risk Management
- Sustainability
- Total Annual Service Cost
- Reactive Works Labour Rates
- Material Mark-Up
- Economic & financial standing
Due diligence checks will be undertaken to determine a Tenderer's financial standing. This will incorporate credit checks and a financial appraisal. To constitute a pass, tenderers must: a) Complete a credit check & financial appraisal. No outstanding CCJ's or bankruptcy must be shown. a) A minimum average annual turnover over the past two years of 1.5 times the Annual Contract Value. Any answers which lead the Trust, acting reasonably, to conclude, considering the risk that the relevant answer suggests about the Tenderer's ability to properly perform the specification, then the Tenderer may be rejected. Insurances a. Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = [£10m] b. Public Liability Insurance = [£10m] c. Professional Indemnity Insurance = [£5m] d. Design Liability Insurance = [£5m]
- Technical & professional ability
Refer to Document 2c Contractor Competencies & Accreditations Provide details of up to three and at least one contract to meet conditions of participation relating to technical ability set out in the relevant notice or procurement documents, in the public sector for a multi site and multi discipline servicing contract. To constitute a pass, the contract example(s) provided shall be relevant to the requirement, with a sufficient level of detail that provides confidence in the Tenderer's established past experience in similar and relevant projects/contracts.
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
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
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 18 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Last source update
- 5 Jan 2026, 10:44 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 15 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
PCAS01.08- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-061103- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05899eFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
The Contractor shall submit monthly invoices electronically Invoices shall be submitted monthly in arrears in a single consolidated statement covering all sites. Each invoice must include: Contract reference and purchase order number. Site name, UPRN (if provided), and work order reference. Itemised breakdown of services delivered. Signed service sheets and/or certificates; and Open-book cost summary for all quoted works.
- Risks
Compliance and Legal Risks Failure to meet statutory obligations (e.g. fire safety, gas safety, electrical testing) can lead to legal penalties, closure of facilities, or even criminal liability for trustees or officers. Contractor Performance Risks Poor service delivery (e.g. missed inspections, substandard repairs) can lead to unsafe environments and reputational damage. Lack of contractor oversight or weak KPIs can result in unnoticed underperformance. Contractor insolvency or withdrawal can disrupt essential services and require emergency procurement. Financial Risks Cost overruns due to poor scoping, inflation, or unexpected repairs. Lack of value for money if the contract is not benchmarked or competitively tendered. Budget misalignment if servicing costs exceed allocated funds, impacting other areas of the trust's operations. Governance and Oversight Risks Weak internal controls or lack of internal scrutiny (as required by the Academy Trust Handbook) can allow issues to go undetected. Operational and Educational Impact Disruption to teaching and learning if facilities are not maintained to a safe and functional standard. Health and safety incidents due to neglected statutory checks (e.g. legionella, asbestos). Loss of stakeholder trust (parents, staff, Ofsted) if the school environment is compromised.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
18 Aug 2025 → 1 Apr 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published18 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Next notice expected9 Sept 2025, 00:59 BST
- Tender notice published387 days ago30 Sept 2025, 23:05 BST
- Clarification questions by350 days ago6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission deadline350 days ago6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by310 days ago15 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent290 days ago5 Jan 2026
- Latest notice published290 days ago5 Jan 2026, 10:44 GMT
- Standstill ends280 days ago14 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts205 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
11 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Aug 2025- Planned procurement notice published18 Aug 2025, 12:00 BSTUK3
- Tender notice published30 Sept 2025, 23:05 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £1,650,00030 Sept 2025, 23:05 BSTwas £16,500,000
- Status changed to active30 Sept 2025, 23:05 BST
- Deadline moved to 6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT30 Sept 2025, 23:05 BST+11 days · was 27 Oct 2025
- Tender notice published2 Oct 2025, 10:11 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £16,500,0002 Oct 2025, 10:11 BSTwas £1,650,000
- Contract award notice published5 Jan 2026, 10:44 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete5 Jan 2026, 10:44 GMT
- Buyer details updated5 Jan 2026, 10:44 GMT
- Contract signature expected30 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
Contract value has been amended due to an identified error. Original value = 1,650,000 Amended value = 16,500,000
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-08: 1 release · 18 Aug 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorne stewart PLC1 Apr 2026 – 1 Apr 2031 · up to 1 Apr 2033Extensions: 2 further 1 year extensions · Options: The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. The following are additional services in addition to the statutory testing and servicing. The £16.5m contract value includes the potential for this additional spend over the full term of the contract Remedial Works - £6m Professional Services outside of scope - £3.5m New Schools may join the Trust or the Contract during the term of the contract; therefore, a contract variation may be required. The quantities requiring servicing and maintenance may be amended during the course of the contract, either additions or subtractions. Additional activities to existing items may be required. | £16,500,000 | 16 Dec 2025standstill to 14 Jan 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonLORNE STEWART PLC · Greater London
- did not winBAM FM LIMITED · Scotland
- did not winLANCER SCOTT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LIMITEDSME · South West England
- did not winSHIELD MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL & FACILITIES SERVICES LTDSME · South West England
- did not winWEMCO LIMITEDSME · South West England
- did not winWHITEHEAD BUILDING SERVICES LIMITEDSME · Wales (Cymru)
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
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- PHP LAW LLPProcess contact pointProcuring entityProcurement Advisor
Bidders & participating suppliers
6 commercial parties on the notice · 1 awarded- BAM FM LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- LANCER SCOTT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- LORNE STEWART PLCAwarded supplier
- SHIELD MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL & FACILITIES SERVICES LTDBidder / tenderer
- WEMCO LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- WHITEHEAD BUILDING SERVICES LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender