Ground Maintenance Services

Falkirk Council wishes to undertake a tendering process to enter into a framework agreement with suitably experienced contractors for the

provision of a Ground Maintenance Service within the Falkirk Council Area of Operations.

The framework consist of 3 Lots, to which up to a maximum of 5 Contractors may be appointed per lot.

• Lot 1: Arboriculture Services, approximate framework term Lot Value 380 000 GBP (51%)
• Lot 2: Grass Cutting for Rural Area, approximate framework term Lot Value 190 000 GBP (25%)
• Lot 3: Herbicides Treatment, approximate framework term Lot Value 180 000 GBP (24%)

Falkirk Council wishes to establish a framework agreement with suitably experienced contractors for the provision of Grass Cutting Services within the Falkirk Council Area of Operations.

Rural highway verges are to be cut to prevent the obstruction of sightlines, signage, prevent the establishment of self-set trees, inhibit the growth of weeds, and prevent vegetation encroaching onto footpaths and roads. Verges are located within the boundary of Falkirk Council and shown on the Ground Maintenance Service maps, numbered 1 to 23. These maps are located within the separately attached Zip Folder, (PS 259 24 - Lot 2 - Rural Verge Cutting Maps).

Flood prevention channels and burns are to be cut the full width of the banking using a 7 Mtr long reach side arm flail to prevent the establishment of self-set trees, inhibit the growth of weeds and prevent vegetation encroaching and narrowing the watercourse and blocking grills. Burns are located within the boundary of Falkirk Council and shown on the Ground Maintenance Service maps, numbered 24 to 45. These maps are located within the separately attached Zip Folder, (PS 259 24 - Lot 2 - Rural Verge Cutting Maps).

The contract requires up to two complete cycles of cutting to be completed between April October each year and each cycle to completed in no more than 6 weeks. The start date for each cycle to be provided by Falkirk Council’s designated Officer.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public

Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

1. Bidders will be required to provide 2 examples from the past 3 years that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services/ supplies as described in part II.2.4 of the Find a Tender Service Contract Notice or the relevant section of the Site Notice.

2. Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.

3. Bidders will be required to confirm that they have systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of:

a) their standard payment terms

b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.

If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.

4. The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent), or provide additional supportive information as detailed within Document 5 "PS 259 24 SPD (Scotland) Standardised Statements".

5. The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 (or equivalent) or provide additional supportive information as detailed within Document 5 "PS 259 24 SPD (Scotland) Standardised Statements".

6. The Bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance with BS EN ISO 14001 (or equivalent) or a valid EMAS (or equivalent) certificate or provide additional supportive information as detailed within Document 5 "PS 259 24 (Scotland) Standardised Statements".