CP1946-20 Maintenance and Improvement of Public Rights of Way Framework 2021-25

Devon County Council (DCC) are looking to procure a Framework Agreement for the maintenance and improvement works to approximately 5,000km of Public Rights of Way (comprising footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways), 230km of off-road recreational trail network (for example, the Tarka Trail) and 590km of minor road network (mainly unmetalled) including the South West Coast Path National Trial for which it is responsible along with the areas covered by the Stover Country Park and Grand Western Canal Country Park. The historic annual spend for this work has been approximately £1.5m.

It is intended that the Framework Agreement will operate over a four year period operating in eight geographical areas throughout Devon (based on District Council Boundaries) and is likely to comprise two Lots as follows:

Lot 1 - Work activities which will include vegetation clearance and typical maintenance activities

Lot 2 - Work activities involving the use of chainsaw equipment for tree works (up to 380mm diameter and ground based works only)

The main works to be delivered under the arrangement are seasonal vegetation cutting, ground based tree works, sign and waymarker installation, gate installation, surface maintenance (mostly compacted stone or natural surfaces, drainage and ditch maintenance, bridge maintenance (replacing decking and handrails) and the like.

DCC wishes to appoint a number of appropriately skilled and competent contractors to the Framework Agreement who can be called upon to undertake the maintenance and improvement works up to a value of £100,000 per scheme. The historic average value of works orders is approximately £2,700 and range from £20 to £50,000 plus (based on 2019/20 data). Contractors may elect to operate in one or more, or all of the operating areas and may bid for either one or both Lots.

More information regarding the arrangement may be accessed here: : https://www.devon.gov.uk/prow/ inspections-and-maintenance/prow-framework-2021-25/

This includes a simple questionnaire to allow prospective bidders to make comments and observations on the intended arrangements. The closing date for responses to the questionnaire is 2nd October 2020.