West Northamptonshire Council – Term Maintenance Contracts (Pre-Market Engagement) Mechanical

Pre-Market Engagement (PME) Notice - Term Maintenance Contracts - Mechanical

West Northamptonshire Council is launching a Pre-Market Engagement exercise to shape the future procurement of Term Maintenance Contracts, scheduled for formal launch in September 2025. This initiative is designed to engage the market early, gather supplier feedback, and inform contract strategy across a wide range of building and estate maintenance services.

Following local government reorganisation in 2022, the Council seeks to move beyond interim arrangements by establishing long-term contracts that promote strategic partnerships, reduce frequent procurement cycles, and comply with current legislation including the Procurement Act and the Building Safety Act.

Key Objectives:

*Foster collaborative supplier relationships

*Encourage involvement from national and local providers

*Promote transparency, compliance, and community benefit

*Strengthen local supply chains and workforce development

*Use familiar standard contract forms

*Enable training and CPD opportunities

Procurement Strategy:

*Frameworks and single supplier arrangements

*Clearly defined service-area lots (e.g. roofing, fire systems, catering equipment)

*Mix of mini-competitions and direct awards (where appropriate)

*Flexible framework duration (up to 8 years), with reopening options

Procurement Areas (Mechanical)

*General mechanical: Sanitary appliances ,Disposal installations, Water installations, Heat sources

Ventilation systems ,central ventilation, local and specialist ventilation and smoke extract/control

Boilers and heating systems Pumps: Framework  4 suppliers to be awarded initial framework length 4 years.  8 years  total contract terms. with minimum two re-openings

*Fuel installations – storage and distribution systems: Framework  4 suppliers to be awarded initial framework length 4 years.  8 years  total contract terms. with minimum two re-openings

*Sustainable heating and cooling systems  :Framework  4 suppliers to be awarded initial framework length 4 years.  8 years  total contract terms. with minimum two re-openings

Timeline:

*PME Launch: July 2025

*Procurement Launch: September 2025

*Contract Start: From April 2026

Supplier Engagement Activities:

*Online surveys

*Briefings via a supplier day

How to Participate: Interested suppliers are encouraged to register an account on the Council’s procurement portal: In-Tend Electronic Tendering Site. Once the tender is launched, registered users will be able to access the full tender pack and associated documents, should they wish to respond to the opportunity. Further information regarding supplier days and other pre-market engagement activity will also be shared via the portal.

Important Note: Registration is required to attend PME events. Participation in this engagement does not guarantee future contract opportunities; outcomes depend on the results of PME and internal governance decisions..