Countryside Land Management and Estate Maintenance Framework

What the buyer is asking for

This invitation to tender ('ITT') relates to Lake District National Park Authority's (the 'Authority') procurement for a Countryside Land Management and Estate Maintenance Framework Agreement, for our Ranger Services Team and others. Successful Tenderers will be appointed onto a multi-supplier Framework Agreement divided into Lots. The Framework Agreement will be available for use by the Authority and by other bodies in the Authority's network by prior agreement. The Authority is seeking a mix of contractors to bid for a place on the Framework Agreement, including companies, consultants, sole traders, and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This procurement is divided into Lots (and sub-lots in the case of Lot 4). Suppliers may bid for one or more Lots/sub-lots provided that you can supply at least one of the services mentioned in the Lot Specification at Table A. Please note that you do not need to be able to provide all of the services listed in the Lot specification, provided you can supply at least one of the services mentioned in that Lot you may submit a tender. All Prices should be submitted as a maximum for provision of your goods/services and will be a commitment for the duration of the Framework Agreement, subject to the allowed increase in price annually. This Framework Agreement will allow for Direct Award and Further Competition of Call-off Contracts. Tenderers should read the instructions contained in this ITT carefully before submitting a response. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this ITT may result in the rejection of the Tender. Tenderers are advised to acquaint themselves fully with the extent and nature of the goods and/or services in the Statement of Requirement and with the Terms and Conditions. Participation in this procurement automatically signals that the Tenderer accepts the Terms and Conditions contained in this ITT. If a Tenderer is awarded a place on any Lot of the Framework, a draft Framework Agreement will be provided after all awards have taken place (est. February - March 2027). Any award is not legally binding and subject-to-contract until the final Framework Agreement between the Authority and the Tenderer is signed. The Lake District National Park Authority looks after the Lake District National Park, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and supporting those who live and work here. Further information about the LDNPA, including our statutory functions, is available on our website. We are working towards making the Lake District an inspirational example of sustainable development in action. We want its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities to come together in sustaining the spectacular landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage here. Details of how we are doing this are outlined in our Vision: Our purpose and vision - Lake District National Park Our Ranger Services Team at LDNPA has a focus on maintaining and improving the Rights of Way and other access in the Lake District National Park, while encouraging and educating users in responsible outdoor recreation on accessible land and navigable lakes. They support visitor management and nature recovery initiatives, and the enhancement and maintenance of our rural properties, in line with our strategic priorities. They work closely with communities to help them meet their needs in ways that contribute to our Vision. The Ranger Team's workload includes project work, such as the Coast-to-Coast and Fix the Fells. The Historic Environment Team commissions specialist consultancy support to inform the conservation, management and enhancement of the National Park's historic environment. This may include heritage impact assessments, conservation area appraisals, historic building recording, conditions surveys, archaeological investigations, landscape and townscape character assessments, design advice, and other specialist heritage and built environment studies to support planning, conservation and place-shaping objectives. Our needs are specific and will vary. We are looking for Suppliers who understand the work we do and not only can provide exceptional services, but who can contribute to our wider Vision for the Lake District. Please note that the Lot Descriptions in section 2 are included to provide some background information on the work of the Authority. The following are examples of types of services which may be required by our Ranger Service. This is not exhaustive but is intended to demonstrate the breadth of the services which will be required: Providing services on a recurring and annual basis, such as our bridge maintenance responsibilities and sourcing of materials for daily use; Providing advice and practical work on specific public sector funded projects, such as the Coast-to-Coast project. Providing specific advice to our internal team of individuals and organisations with whom we operate, for internal projects involving our own land and property, and also to our partner organisations such as Fix the Fells.

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 45%qualityQuality(25%) Experience in a relevant field demonstrating: • your technical ability and capacity; • your understanding of the Authorities requirements; • relevant accreditations, qualifications and standard of workmanship or product. (5%) Overall quality of the submission (detail; presentation; clarity; quality of relevant project work). (15%) Two case studies of similar previous work supplied, with a reference from each client (including pictures where possible).
• 40%pricePricePrice evaluation will be conducted as follows: • The lowest price submission for that Lot, or Item in the case of Lots 1 and 2, will be allocated the highest score (5) and the highest price the lowest score (1). • The prices falling in between the highest and lowest price for that Lot or Item will be scored based on the percentage difference between the lowest price and the highest price. • For Lots 1 and 2 each item will be scored individually, and an overall average score for the Lot will be calculated based on the number of items that have been priced for by each tenderer. Please note that prices submitted will constitute the maximum price a supplier can charge for the duration of the Framework Agreement, subject to annual increases in accordance with the Consumer Prices Index.
• 15%qualitySocial, Economic and Environmental ValueExamples of factors and measures that may be taken into consideration for evaluation include, but are not limited to: supporting the local economy and community, climate action and resilience, carbon/emission reduction, nature recovery and biodiversity enhancement, skills and employment in the local area, sustainable travel. This information is provided as a guide to assist tenderers only and the Authority will exercise discretion in evaluating social, economic and environmental value.

8 lots

You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for all of them.

• Bridges Supply, Repair and Maintenance£4.0m

  The Authority supplies, installs and maintains bridges on public rights of way throughout the National Park including bridleways and footpaths for use by horse riders, cyclists, mobility scooters and pedestrians. We are seeking suppliers who can assist with the following: • Supply bridge materials as component parts and/or complete structures in a variety of materials including recycled plastic, metal, timber, concrete, stone. These bridges will need to be to our specification or bespoke design in some cases. • Using the materials listed above, build and install those bridges in a wide variety of locations, including some remote and difficult to get to. This can include machine work, working with helicopter delivery companies, working with hand tools, demolition and construction of abutments. • To repair existing bridge structures in situ, including replacement of handrails, decking

• Supply of Materials£4.0m

  The Authority requires qualified suppliers for the supply, delivery and installation of materials and services to support our countryside construction and maintenance projects. It aims to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective delivery of materials and services while complying with health, safety, and environmental standards. It also aims to facilitate the provision of locally sourced materials to reduce transport mileage, to support the economic wellbeing of the National Park, and to showcase local products. Suppliers under this framework must demonstrate relevant experience, proven quality standards and the capacity to meet delivery schedules. Services and materials will be provided according to defined specifications, with monitoring of performance through key indicators such as timeliness, quality, and responsiveness. Suppliers must ensure that all materials supplied meet re

• Minor Practical works under £50,000£4.0m

  The Authority requires a range of qualified suppliers for delivery of practical works and services supporting our countryside access and nature conservation projects across the National Park. This often requires working in remote locations with challenging access. All work standards and specifications will be set out in relevant documents. All work will need to be carried out to all relevant legislative requirements by appropriately trained and qualified staff. Examples of the types of work the Authority requires are: construction, repair and maintenance of structures, furniture and surfaces forming part of Public Rights of Way work (PROW) such as footpaths, bridleways and byways. Surfacing -The supply, construction, repair and maintenance of; • Un-bound, bound, crushed stone or tarmac paths. • Machine construction of profile inversion (subsoil) paths • Supply and delivery and laying of

• Consultancy and Specialist Services£4.0m

  The Authority requires a range of consultancy services to assist it in carrying out its statutory duties and project work. Our work is incredibly varied, and consultancy is required in relation to all stages of a project from feasibility, design, planning, and surveying. We require specialist advice in relation to Rights of Way, and lake/water works. Other areas of the Authority's work include historic buildings and environment, planning and architectural surveying so we welcome consultants from a range of specialist practice areas. Advice sought could be, for example, in the form of written reports, design drawings to agreed standards, survey datasets (in agreed formats) or overseeing the delivery of defined projects around nature recovery or access and recreation related works. This Lot is divided into three individual sub-lots based on the type of consultancy required. Lot 4a: Access

• Training and Development£4.0m

  he Authority requires qualified companies to provide essential training to ensure that individuals working in various roles are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements and legislation. The training requirements cover a range of topics, including first aid, manual handling, chainsaw, plant and equipment operation (to name a few - please see Appendix 2 for a full concise list), which are required to minimise risks and ensure a safe working environment. Courses will need to be accredited by recognised bodies, providing learners with the necessary qualifications to meet industry standards. • First aid • Manual handling • Practical countryside management training e.g.: walling, fencing • Plant and machinery operations e.g.: 4WD training, chainsaws, quad bikes, strimmers; • Species management training (e.g tree conditions surv

• Supply and repairs of Equipment, Plant and Machinery£4.0m

  The Authority has an internal fleet of various machinery, equipment and plant. We require services for maintenance and servicing of all types of equipment, plant, and machinery. We also require suppliers who can source and provide new equipment, plant and machinery as required. For example, current categories include: • Plant: diggers, dumpers, tracked power barrows, remote flails, chippers. • Vehicles: land rovers, pick-ups, 4x4s, electric vans and cars. • Power tools: compressors, jet washes, cement mixers, drills, stone saws, angle grinders chop saws etc. • Hand tools: spades, panel saws, shovelers, tampers, steel bars etc. • PPE: chainsaw trousers, hard hats, eye protection, hearing protection etc. • Fuel (Aspen, diesel, petrol, LPG etc.) • Servicing and safety inspections (e.g. LOLA checks on lifting strops and chains, and general servicing of tools like compressors) • Bi-annual ser

• Helicopter Operations£4.0m

  Provide helicopter operations for the transportation of stone and other materials to remote locations throughout the Lake District: movement of prebagged fell stone in one-ton bags to high altitude worksites on popular mountain paths. Stropping, bunding and prepping materials such as flagstones, fence posts or bridge materials prior to flying. Providing specialist safety advice to officers involved in helicopter operations - before during and after any operations. Provide experienced ground crew for hooking on and assessing loads, receiving loads where necessary and ensuring specialist kit or equipment such as signage strops and radio headsets are available. To provide an indication of volume, in 2025 LDNPA flew over 400 tonnes of stone to high altitude sites. Suppliers must hold all relevant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approvals, USL Licensing and operate in accordance with UK aviat

• Higher Value Practical Works - £50,000 and over£4.0m

  The Authority secures frequent bids for grant money provided by national, regional and local government as well as charitable organisations and private funding organisations. This funding enables the Authority to undertake larger scale and usually multi-facetted projects or programmes of work varying in value from the high tens of thousands of pounds to the low millions of pounds. Such projects may involve delivery of one type of product or service across a range of sites throughout the park or a multi-facetted project including access, nature conservation, interpretation, and conservation of the heritage-built environment. We are looking for suppliers who can provide work at scale and across a range of areas, either directly or by acting as Primary Contractors and providing project management and delivering work through co-ordinating multiple suppliers and contractors. Examples of such

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published14 days ago

   8 Sept 2026, 10:24 BST
2. Clarification questions by3 days ago

   18 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
3. Submission deadlinein 11 days

   2 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
4. Award decision expected byin 105 days

   4 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

4 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender

1. Pipeline or early engagement notice30 Jun 2026, 15:20 BST061357-2026
2. Pipeline or early engagement notice4 Aug 2026, 15:18 BST073804-2026
3. Tender notice7 Sept 2026, 14:24 BST084465-2026
4. Tender updated8 Sept 2026, 10:24 BST084741-2026

Documents

• As referenced in section 4.2(a) of the price template.
• biddingDocuments
• biddingDocuments
• This version of the ITT includes the updated timescales for submission and requests for clarification.
• Tender notice on Find a Tender