Construction Contract Leads

Scope

Description

SDNPA intends to establish a single supplier framework for the provision of Rural Access Infrastructure Design, Engineering and Construction Support Services for South Downs National Park Authority's Access Projects, which will support the ongoing delivery of new access paths (including Centurion Way and Egrets Way), access path improvement projects (including the South Downs Way National Trail) and identified access schemes within the Active Travel Network Plan (2025-2040) across the South Downs National Park. A draft specification is included in the Participation Stage documents.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

• £500,000 excluding VAT
• £600,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 17 February 2027 to 16 February 2030
• Possible extension to 16 February 2031
• 4 years

Description of possible extension:

SDNPA may extend the framework term for a maximum of up to 12 months, subject to access project pipeline and budget being secured.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

• 71220000 - Architectural design services
• 71312000 - Structural engineering consultancy services
• 71322100 - Quantity surveying services for civil engineering works
• 71420000 - Landscape architectural services
• 79994000 - Contract administration services

Contract locations

• UKJ - South East (England)

Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

1

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

This is a single supplier framework, so call-offs will be awarded via direct award. Prices will be determined by the supplier's tendered rate card and costed scenarios. The scenario pricing submitted at tender stage forms the Supplier's baseline commercial assumptions for typical tasks, including hours, labour mix, overheads and methodology. Any call off proposal that materially deviates from these assumptions must be fully justified.

Award method when using the framework

Without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only

Participation

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation

Conditions of participation are detailed in the documents which can be accessed from SDNPA's in-tend e-procurement portal: https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/southdowns/tenders/current by logging in and expressing interest in the project.

Technical ability conditions of participation

Conditions of participation are detailed in the documents which can be accessed from SDNPA's in-tend e-procurement portal: https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/southdowns/tenders/current by logging in and expressing interest in the project.

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Submission

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

10 November 2026, 1:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Submissions must be made via SDNPA's e-procurement portal, In-tend: https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/southdowns/tenders/current.

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Suppliers to be invited to tender

Maximum 6 suppliers

Selection criteria:

Financial capability:

- Financial tests (pass/fail)

- Insurance (confirmation of willingness to obtain required levels if successful) (pass/fail)

Technical ability:

- Conflict of Interest (pass/fail)

- Business continuity and disaster recovery (pass/fail)

- Quality management (pass/fail)

- Relevant experience and contrct examples (scored, 50% weighting)

- Workforce skills (scored, 30% weighting)

- Operational coverage/responsiveness (scored, 20% weighting)

Award decision date (estimated)

5 February 2027

Award criteria

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Competitive flexible procedure description

This Competitive Flexible Procedure will consist of two stages.

Stage 1: Participation Stage

The participation stage allows for the pre-qualification of suppliers and will provide SDNPA with sufficient information to select a shortlist of suppliers to be taken through to the tender stage. Suppliers must respond to all the questions in the procurement specific questionnaire, and provide all supporting information requested. Suppliers will be shortlisted using a mix of pass/fail and weighted questions. Subject to receiving a sufficient number of compliant responses from suppliers that are not excluded and that satisfy all applicable pass/fail requirements, SDNPA intends to invite six suppliers to the tender stage.

Where more than six suppliers satisfy the pass/fail requirements, the six highest-scoring suppliers will be invited to tender, based on the scored conditions of participation and assessment methodology. Where there is a tie for sixth place then all suppliers in sixth place will be invited to tender. For the purposes of this procurement a tie for sixth place is deemed to occur where two or more suppliers are awarded identical scores. Where fewer than six suppliers satisfy the requirements, SDNPA may proceed with the qualifying suppliers, amend the procedure where permitted, or discontinue the procurement.

Stage 2: Tender Stage

Tenderers shortlisted from the Participation Stage will be invited to participate in a competitive tender process. The award criteria shall be on the basis of the Most Advantageous Tender.

Documents

Associated tender documents

https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/southdowns/tenders/current

A pack containing Participation Stage information and instructions, a draft framework agreement and the procurement specific questionnaire are available from https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/southdowns/tenders/current.

Contracting authority

South Downs National Park Authority

• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJDL-9528-MNGZ

South Downs Centre, North Street

Midhurst

GU29 9DH

United Kingdom

Email: tenders [at] southdowns.gov.uk

Website: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk

Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government

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