Fusion21 Grounds Maintenance Framework (2026-30)

Fusion 21 FoundationcontractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-060b4aProcurement Act 2023SME suitableVCSE suitableclosed for bids
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Estimated value

£85.0m

services

Awarded value

Suppliers

0

Lots

1

0 awarded

Published

21 Jan 2026

Deadline 04 Mar 2026

Description

Preliminary market engagement was carried out by the Fusion21 Members Consortium following the publication of a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice 2025/S 000-076149 (OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e692). This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through an open procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(a) of the PA 2023. Fusion21 is developing 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, 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. The framework aims to provide a compliant, flexible, and value for money route for contracting authorities to procure grounds maintenance services. It will support both national and regional coverage, with opportunities for SME's to participate.

Scope

Reference
Fusion21-0605
Total value
£85,000,000 excluding VAT
£102,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
07 Jun 2026 to 07 Jun 2030
Main category
services
CPV classifications
77314000
45112700
45340000
77300000
77310000
77320000
77340000
90620000
90630000
90922000
90511300
Contract locations
UK, United Kingdom
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Technical / QualityTechnical / Quality Sub-Criteria: Case Studies : 12% Scenario: 9% Health & Safety: 6% Risk Management: 3% Innovation: 12% Environment & Sustainability: 6% Social Value: 12%quality60.00%
Commercial / CostCommercial / 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%cost40.00%

Participation

Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.

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 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.

Submission & procedure

Enquiry deadline
18 Feb 2026, 5:00 pm
Submission deadline
04 Mar 2026, 12:00 pm
Submission address
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: https://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.
Electronic submission
Yes
Procedure
Open procedure