Find a TenderClosedTender notice
Published 4 Mar 2026, 11:52 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy

Official notice

Authority: Cheshire west and Chester Borough Council (Local council)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£100,000≈ £44k / year · £100,000 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submissions closed 29 May 2026
Contract term 2 yrs 3 moends 31 Oct 2028 · starts 3 Aug 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The programme aims to develop and test a blended finance approach-'Match at Source'-that collaborates with regulated infrastructure organisations to achieve mutual benefits, increase scale and quality, accelerate delivery (Raise the Peak), and extend the programme's lifespan (Lengthen the Tail).

This tender seeks to develop an investment-ready operating model, including clear governance of financial structures, robust monitoring and assurance, and an engagement plan with infrastructure sponsors, regulators, and appropriate government departments.

Key elements include the Strategic Stretch financial model, a legal and governance framework to prevent double-counting and foster transparent attribution, potential tokenisation of Community Forest benefits, and a four-phase delivery plan culminating in a comprehensive business case before the Autumn 2028 Spending Review.

The potential links to public procurement, in particular Social Value requirements, are also part of this specification, providing verified "Social Value" units that deliver high-quality impacts linked to local Community Forest Plans.

Innovation is strongly encouraged, but not at the expense of the main objective, whether through tokenised, blockchain-enabled assurance (preferred) or an acceptable non-tokenised alternative that offers lower risk or quicker implementation.

CPV: Financial and insurance services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1 2 yrs 3 moSMEVCSEPublished value£100,000
Contract period: 3 Aug 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 (2 yrs 3 mo)Value: £100,000 exc. VAT · £100,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored

Lot awarding rule: Evaluation of submissions based on the below weighting Quality 85% Price 15%

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
4 Mar 2026, 11:52 GMT
Last source update
7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-041878
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Financial and insurance services
Delivery area
North West (UKD)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
29 May 2026, 10:00 BST
Clarification deadline
22 May 2026, 12:00 BST
Electronic submission
Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

4 Mar 2026 → 3 Aug 2026 · 6 dates
  1. Planning notice published240 days ago
    4 Mar 2026, 11:52 GMT
  2. Market engagement233 days ago
    11 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT

    Soft Market Test - Strategic Development for TFC Blended Finance please see SMT uploaded on www.the-chest.org.uk ↗

  3. Tender notice published176 days ago
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
  4. Clarification questions by161 days ago
    22 May 2026, 12:00 BST
  5. Submission deadline155 days ago
    29 May 2026, 10:00 BST
  6. Contract starts89 days ago
    3 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST

Notice history

6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Mar 2026
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    4 Mar 2026, 11:52 GMT
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value updated
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
  4. Status changed to active
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST
  6. Deadline published: 29 May 2026, 10:00 BST
    7 May 2026, 12:37 BST

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PCJB-2814-BHZP The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, North West, CH65 0BAContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure