The Authority is inviting pre-qualification responses from suitable experienced and qualified organisations to provide a Specialist Grounds Maintenance Services throughout the District.

The Authority awarded a Grounds Maintenance contract in 2013 to cover grass cutting and other ancillary works in the parks and open spaces, together with the grounds maintenance of approximately 100 Authority housing sites. This Contract will supplement that agreement through the delivery of Specialist Grounds Maintenance Services, including the ability to respond to emergency works.

The main scope of this contract will include;

— Grass cutting and general grounds maintenance

— Hedge cutting

— Inspection and Maintenance of sports pitches, play areas and skate parks

— Fencing

— Groundworks

— Tree / Arboricultural works

— Winter Maintenance

In addition to the works described above, there will be ad-hoc additional tasks which the service provider will also be required to deliver. Historically, these tasks have included;

— Planting trees and shrubs

— Assistance with playground and skate park repairs

— Clearing overgrown vegetation and plots from allotment sites

— Digging /clearing drainage ditches

— Raising and lowering flags for Remembrance events

— Installing fencing

— Clearing areas of land

— Assisting in preparing for public events

— Roofing repairs

The above list is not exhaustive, and other tasks may be involved.

Due to the nature of the services, the Authority expects the successful provider to have a local presence to ensure that the required outcomes can be delivered effectively, for example the Authority will require a 1 hour response to winter maintenance, or lower in the case of certain emergency works.

The successful bidder shall therefore have, or acquire, a secure depot facility within the boundaries, or within 1 mile, (by road) of the Tandridge District.