Outsourced Distribution Service - Y17040

Commercial Services is one of the largest trading organisations of its kind in Europe with a turnover in excess of £600 million and employing over 700 people from its base in Kent. Tracing its roots back to 1902, as an education stores department for Kent County Council, Commercial Services has subsequently grown organically to supply an ever-increasing range of best value goods and services to other publicly funded organisations.

These include local government, education establishments, the care sector and the emergency services. KCS is a trading unit of Commercial Services and provides a purchasing, warehousing and distribution service to a wide ranging customer base within local government and associated public bodies in Kent, neighbouring counties and across the UK.

Kent County Council (the Council) is the largest local authority in England covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of circa. £1bn on goods and services with a population of 1.5m.

The Council provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and 309 parish/town councils. In accordance with best procurement practice, EU and UK Procurement Directives and Regulations, KCS wishes to create a Contract for the supply of an Outsourced Distribution Service.

The procurement process adopted by the Contracting Authority is based upon the 'Open' Procedure, as detailed in the 'Public Contract Regulations 2015'. KCS is seeking the provision of an outsourced next day delivery distribution solution to its customers outside of Kent; including the management of the loading bay operation for the required deliveries.

Exact details of areas that will be serviced under this Contract will be advised and agreed between the parties post award and may be amended (increased or reduced) during the life of the Contract. The current KCS warehouse operation is at New Hythe, Aylesford, Kent.

It should be noted, however, that during the life of this Contract this location may be subject to change and the successful company will be expected to move with the operation should it do so. KCS will continue to service its Kent based customers through its own fleet of vehicles (the loading bay management for this business will be run KCS).

During peak trading periods when KCS capacity may be exceeded then the additional volume may be added to the distribution schedule of the outsourced Supplier. Additional information: Instructions to Suppliers: This opportunity will be completed electronically via ProContract, a site run by Due North.

Interested organisations should go to www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk to register and express interest. To express interest select 'Current Opportunities', from the 'Organisation' drop down box select 'Commercial Services', click search and select the appropriate opportunity.

Once you have successfully expressed interest via the portal you will be sent an email directing you to the ProContract site from which you will be able to access and download the invitation to tender documentation and any other relevant information. This email should be retained, as it will contain your direct link to the ProContract portal, for information purposes only the link is www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/procontract/supplier.nsf DO NOT USE THIS LINK NOW.

Tenderers should also note that final submissions must be made via ProContract, no other submission route is permitted. Failure to follow this path will result in the tender submission being disregarded.

ALL DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD VIA THE PROCONTRACT PORTAL FROM THE OUTSET. Please ensure you are able to download all files immediately after accessing the ProContract portal. Information about delivery location: Parcel delivery service predominantly in the South East of Engalnd but with a need for national coverage