Central Bedfordshire Council has published a procurement opportunity for cbc-1890-t-ts grounds maintenance with an estimated value of £200,000. The submission deadline is 12 May 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-10, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

Grounds Maintenance - 5 Lots Lot 1 - Ivel Valley (North) Lot 2 - West Mid Beds (North) Lot 3 - Chiltern Vale (South) Lot 4 - Leighton Linslade (South) Lot 5 - Adhoc Works (North and South) Please read and follow the information and guidance supplied below and within the Tender documents, this will help with your tender submission. Word count limits apply, any information going over will not be considered. Respond to ALL questions. Additional documents or information not required will be disregarded. Please note timeline with regards to questions and submission dates. All communications, correspondences and clarifications must be sent via the In-tend portal. Do not contact the Service area for information, please use the correspondence facility Regularly view the Clarification tab for updates or responses to questions received by bidders. Questions asked together with the response, will be made available to all bidders (if not Private and Confidential), this to ensure a fair and consistent approach to all. Avoid uploading your return just prior to closing deadline as you may incur IT issues and we will not accept Tender Returns via e-mail. The Council will provide as much support and information as it can to help guide you through the Tender process. If there is anything you are not sure of or need clarification on, please contact the Procurement lead using the correspondence facility within the In-tend electronic tendering system. Opting In To inform us of your decision to participate and to be able to submit a tender you will be required to Opt In. Opting In will confirm to us of your involvement and your intention to submit a tender return. Opting Out Will confirm that you are no longer interested in submitting a tender return. You will be able to provide a reason as to your decision if you wish. This will cease any system-generated communications. You will be able to opt back in at any point. Target contract commencement date: 1st April 2026 Contract term: 3 Year

Central Bedfordshire Council is the contracting authority. The estimated value is £200,000 and the deadline is 12 May 2026. Download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to IT consultancies, software developers, managed service providers. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing, and hold Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Central Bedfordshire Council must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots.

• Proven track record in it & technology contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £200,000 contract
• Relevant certifications: Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001
• Capacity to mobilise within Central Bedfordshire Council’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 12 May 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032632-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 12 May 2026: Late submissions are not accepted

What the buyer will evaluate

Central Bedfordshire Council will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. Buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion.

Writing a winning bid

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Central Bedfordshire Council’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes from comparable contracts
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 12 May 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Central Bedfordshire Council to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

What happens if I miss the 12 May 2026 deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032632-2026.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Central Bedfordshire Council or the UK government.