Arboricultural Services Framework for Parks and Green Spaces in the Cumberland Area

Description

Cumberland Council is seeking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced contractors to a framework agreement for arboricultural services on parks and green spaces in the district. The agreement will be divided into two areas, reflecting the extent of the district and also existing arrangements by which tree work is being undertaken. Within each area there will be a further sub-division to reflect standard tree works (most work undertaken) and specialist works, where officer discretion identifies a need for technical work on sensitive or vulnerable sites. Lot 1: Northern Area Lot 1 (Specialist Arboricultural Work) Northern Area Lot 1 (Specialist Arboricultural Work) This lot will be used for work of a technical nature on sensitive or vulnerable sites which demands the highest standards. This lot will only consider the dismantling or felling of trees and does not include the removal of large volumes of material off a site nor the grinding of stumps. Contractors wishing to apply for this lot must demonstrate current ‘Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor’ status. Lot 2: Northern Area Lot 2 (Arboricultural Work) Northern Area Lot 2 (Arboricultural Work) This lot will be used for all tree surgery work (including climbing and use of aerial platforms), tree felling, scrub clearance, hedge laying/coppicing, timber extraction and stump grinding. Contractors will be expected to evidence all necessary training and insurances and will be required to work to pre-determined quality standards. Lot 3: Southern Area Lot 1 (Specialist Arboricultural Work) This lot will be used for work of a technical nature on sensitive or vulnerable sites which demands the highest standards. This lot will only consider the dismantling or felling of trees and does not include the removal of large volumes of material off a site nor the grinding of stumps. Contractors wishing to apply for this lot must demonstrate current ‘Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor’ status. Lot 4: Southern Area Lot 2 (Arboricultural Work) This lot will be used for all tree surgery work (including climbing and use of aerial platforms), tree felling, scrub clearance, hedge laying/coppicing, timber extraction and stump grinding. Contractors will be expected to evidence all necessary training and insurances and will be required to work to pre-determined quality standards. Additional information: Suppliers wishing to express an interest and obtain access to the tender documents should go to www.the-chest.org.uk and click on current opportunities from the navigation area on the left of the screen. On the next screen enter the contract Reference DN738762 in the box labelled 'contains' then click search. Click on the Blue link for the contract title to view the opportunity. To express an interest you will need to login. If you are not already registered on the www.the-chest.org.uk you will need to return to the home page and click on Register. Register free link in the navigation area on the left of the screen. Registration is free of charge and your username and password will be emailed to you. Cumberland Council is fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council welcomes expressions of interest from ethnic minority, disabled and other diverse business communities and the voluntary sector. Economic operators are therefore required to fully comply with all statutory obligations/applicable legislation and there will be a requirement to participate in the authority's supplier audits on all aspects of diversity. The contracting authority expressly reserves the right: (i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers. The contracting authority reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the agreement. The value provided in Section II.1.5 is only an estimate.