UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Four of the five South West Forces (Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire) have grounds maintenance and winter contracts in place which expire at the end of March 2027. Avon and Somerset Police currently deliver this provision in house. SWPPS are currently undertaking early market engagement and considering route to market options in order to run a successful procurement process for this requirement. SWPPS wish to invite potential suppliers who may be interested in assisting with this early market engagement to answer a number of questions and then an opportunity to meet with SWPPS (via Teams) to discuss their responses if requested. The purpose of the early engagement with the market, prior to undertaking a formal tender process, is to seek input from the supply market to inform our requirements, to help formulate our specification for the services and help identify routes to market. If you are interested in supporting SWPPS with this engagement, please respond to this notice by emailing jennifer.smith@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk and we will be in touch with a questionnaire for completion. We are also happy to arrange Teams calls to discuss the responses to your questionnaire if you would like. The closing date for pre-market engagement questionnaire returns and subsequent arrangement of Teams meetings will be 12 noon on 6th May 2026. SWPPS are committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and to follow the Procurement Act 2023. The preliminary market engagement is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market testing and engagement. Interested parties will not be prejudiced or advantaged by any response or lack thereof to the preliminary market engagement. This preliminary market engagement does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works for SWPPS. SWPPS are not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to the preliminary market engagement.