Grounds Maintenance Services
Framework Description
Crescent Purchasing Consortium's Grounds Maintenance Services framework (tender reference CPC/KB/02/2024) is the re-tendered route to grounds maintenance for education and public sector estates. It has 14 lots: 13 regional lots across the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, plus a national lot. It runs from 24 February 2025 to 23 February 2028, with an option to extend by 12 months to 23 February 2029.
Context & Use Case
Schools, academies, colleges, universities and other public bodies with playing fields, gardens and grounds use it for routine and seasonal upkeep. CPC advises buyers to contract one supplier for their entire grounds service, while suppliers also handle ad hoc requests such as tree surveys and snow removal. Members can award directly, by further competition or using CPC's further competition calculator.
Scope of Services
Grass cutting, edging, seeding and turf laying Hedge, shrub bed and tree maintenance Sports area maintenance Leaf, snow and gutter clearance Hard surface maintenance and power washing Pesticide application and invasive weed control Regional Lots 1–13 and national Lot 14
Lots
14 lots: Lots 1-13 regional (UK regions, Channel Islands & Isle of Man); Lot 14 National
Who Can Apply
Grounds maintenance, landscaping, arboriculture and sports turf contractors serving education sites. Suppliers were appointed through the original tender, so others cannot join until the re-tender, likely around February 2028, or February 2029 if extended.
Buyer Benefits
Regional lots let a trust find a contractor that already works nearby, and one contract covering routine grounds care, tree work and sports pitches gives a single point of contact for all its sites. The DfE recommends the framework to schools and academies. Direct award suits a quick appointment before the growing season, while further competition brings better value on larger, multi-site contracts.
Next Steps
Appointed contractors should approach trusts and colleges before spring, when grounds contracts are often renewed, with clear seasonal programmes and pitch care evidence. Others should plan for the re-tender: gather arboricultural qualifications, equipment and staff capacity, and education references. Watch Find a Tender for the notice.
How Athena Can Help
For appointed contractors, multi-site trust competitions are the prize. Athena's bid managers for facilities contractors write seasonal plans, social value answers and multi-site price models to win them.
If you are not on the framework, our framework application specialists can line up other education, council and housing grounds frameworks before the CPC re-tender. Our bid/no-bid service helps you decide which trust and council contracts to pursue directly, and which to leave.
