Official UK procurement notice
Uniforms, Workwear, PPE, Clothing and Associated Services
Authority: Kent County Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionProcurement Services are looking to create a local and national framework for the provision of Uniforms, Workwear including accessories, footwear and bags, PPE and Associated services such as but not limited to decontamination, repairs, stock management.
CPV: Combat uniforms · Environmental decontamination services · Fire-brigade uniforms · Footwear · Footwear with uppers of leather · Footwear with uppers of textile materials · Garments · Garments for biological or chemical protection · Police uniforms · Protective and safety clothing · Protective footwear · Protective goggles · +2 more
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Framework period
- 4 yrs from 22 Jan 2027
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- 1% of call-off value
Who may buy through it
This Framework may be used by contracting authorities and other eligible customers located in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies existing on 06/10/2026. Eligible customers include central government departments, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies, assembly-sponsored public bodies, local authorities, emergency services (including police, fire, ambulance, maritime and coastguard services), NHS and healthcare organisations, educational establishments (including schools, academies, colleges and universities), housing associations and registered social landlords, national parks, hospices, charities, voluntary and community sector organisations, citizens advice bodies, and any other public sector body permitted to access the Framework in accordance with applicable procurement legislation.
Published description of the framework
Call-Off Contracts may be awarded using any one of the following methods outlined below.
1.Direct Award (Award Without Competitive Selection)
2.Rapid Request for Quote (Rapid RFQ)
3.Further Competition
The ultimate responsibility for selecting the most appropriate and compliant route for a specific requirement rests with the Customer. The onus will be on the Customer to carry out their own due diligence before selecting which method to use. The Customer will determine the requirement, specification and award, based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)
Direct Award (award without a competitive selection):
This Framework permits Direct Award, defined under the Procurement Act 2023 as awarding a Call-Off Contract without conducting a new competitive selection procedure. A Direct Award may only be used where the Customer can identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) using only the information and scores submitted at Framework award, without requesting any new pricing, clarification, or qualitative information from Suppliers.
Permitted Direct Award Methods
Customers may use any of the following objective, pre-published Direct Award methods. The Customer must choose one method before reviewing Supplier capability for their requirement.
- Overall Framework Ranking (Quality + Price Combined Score)
- Highest Total Quality Score
- Lowest Overall Price/Highest Commercial Advantage
- Highest Score in a Specific Evaluation Question
- Partial-Service Selection (Specific Services from the Pricing Schedule)
Rapid RFQ
A Rapid RFQ is a streamlined competitive process appropriate for low-complexity or tightly defined requirements where essential criteria can be specified as Pass/Fail, and price acts as the ultimate determinant among compliant Suppliers.
Further Competition
A Further Competition process is used where Customers carry out a competition for the award of a Call-Off Contract.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lotLot #1Uniform ItemsPublished value£60,000,000
Sub-Lot 1A: General Uniforms & Workwear
•Polo shirts (various colours, branded and unbranded)
•T shirts and base layers
•Shirts & blouses (long/short sleeve)
•Trousers & workwear trousers
•Shorts
•Jumpers, fleeces, sweatshirts
•Soft shell jackets, waterproof jackets, rainwear
•Corporate wear (blazers, skirts, tailored trousers, dresses)
•High visibility workwear (HI VIS vests, jackets, trousers)
•Overalls / coveralls
•Tabards & tunics
•Gloves (non PPE uniform gloves)
•Footwear (non safety)
•Belts, ties, scarves
•Aprons and disposable garments
•Bodywarmers / gilets
•Caps, beanies and hats
Sector Specific Uniforms
Sub-Lot 1B: Emergency Services:
- Police Uniforms
•Operational clothing
•Shirts, trousers
•Rank slides & epaulette
- Fire & Rescue Station Wear
•Station wear
•Protective under garments
- Ambulance & Paramedic Wear
•Paramedic tops/trousers
•Identification items
- Ceremonial & Undress Uniforms
•Formal dress
•Badges and embellishments
Sub-Lot 1C: Healthcare:
•Scrubs (tops & trousers)
•Clinical tunics
•Theatre wear
•Lab coats
Sub-Lot 1D: Education & Corporate Services:
•School uniform items
•Branded staff uniforms
•Facilities & concierge uniforms
Associated Products and Services
Associated Products
•Customised uniforms with logos, names, roles or ID badges
•Sustainable uniform options, including recycled fabrics
•Replacement garments
•Decontamination garments, where used as part of uniform provision
Associated Services
•Branding and customisation
oEmbroidery and stitching for logos, names or roles
oHeat seal logos or ID badges
•Alteration and tailoring services
•Garment lifecycle services
•Garment repairs and alterations
•Laundry services
•Specialist decontamination services
•Stock management and logistics
oStockholding and inventory management
oForecasting and demand planning
oBulk and individual ordering options
oDistribution to multiple sites
oDirect to employee delivery
oEmergency or express supply options
•Sustainability services
oRecycling or take back schemes for used uniforms
oSustainable product sourcing and supply options
Lot #2PPE ItemsPublished value£40,000,000
LOT 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sub-Lot 2A: General PPE
Respiratory Protection
•Filtering facepiece respirators (e.g., FFP2, FFP3)
•Disposable respirators (cup / fold flat)
•Half mask & full face reusable respirators
•Filters and cartridges
•Powered and non powered air purifying respirators (PAPR / APR)
•Escape hoods
Head Protection
•Safety helmets
•Bump caps
•Helmet accessories (visors, chin straps, lighting mounts)
Eye & Face Protection
•Safety glasses (impact resistant, anti fog, tinted)
•Safety goggles
•Face shields & visors
Hearing Protection
•Ear defenders (helmet mounted / standalone)
•Fall arrest and restraint systems
•Earplugs (disposable, reusable)
Hand Protection
•General handling gloves
•Cut resistant gloves
•Chemical resistant gloves
•Heat resistant and flame retardant gloves
•Disposable nitrile/latex gloves
•Anti vibration gloves
Body & Clothing Protection
•Flame retardant (FR) clothing
•Arc flash protective garments
•Chemical resistant suits
•High visibility PPE garment
•Disposable coveralls (Type 5/6 etc.
Foot Protection
•Safety boots (steel/composite toe)
•Safety shoes
•Metatarsal protection boots
•Anti slip footwear
•Waterproof safety footwear
Fall Protection
•Harnesses
•Lanyards
Sub-Lot 2B: Fire & Rescue PPE
Specialist PPE designed for operational Fire & Rescue activities, including the following categories:
Fire & Rescue PPE
•Structural firefighting helmets and compatible accessories
•Firefighting tunics and over-trousers
•Firefighting gloves, hoods and protective footwear
•Wildland firefighting PPE
•Technical rescue helmets and specialist rescue PPE
•Water rescue and flood response PPE
•High-temperature and flame-resistant protective clothing
Sub-Lot 2C: Police Public Order PPE
•Public order helmets and compatible visors
•Public order protective suits, coveralls and body armour
•Public order gloves, arm guards, leg guards and groin protection
•Public order protective boots and footwear
•Specialist protective equipment for operational policing duties
Associated Products and Services
Associated Products
•Knee pads
•Protective aprons, including:
oChemical aprons
oWelding aprons
oAnti-cut aprons
•Respiratory fit testing equipment
•Specialist PPE for hazardous environments
•Decontamination garments and equipment
•Sustainable PPE options, including low impact PPE
Associated Services
•Branding and customisation, where applicable
oHeat seal logos or ID badges
oEmbroidery or stitching, where suitable for PPE garments
•Alteration or fitting support, where applicable
•PPE lifecycle services
•Repairs and alterations, where compliant and safe to do so
•Laundry services
•Specialist decontamination services
•Stock management and logistics
oStockholding and inventory management
oForecasting and demand planning
oBulk and individual ordering options
oDistribution to multiple sites
oDirect to employee delivery
oEmergency or express supply options
•Sustainability services
oRecycling or take back schemes for used PPE
oSustainable product sourcing and supply options
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Price | Social value | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Uniform Items | 60% | 30% | 10% | |
| 2 · PPE Items | 70% | 30% | — |
- Price carries 30 points on every lot: a 10% discount moves about 3 points.
- “Uniforms, Workwear, PPE, Clothing and Associated Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Kent County Council buys Firefighting, rescue and safety equipment (CPV 3511), and who usually turns up
Kent County Council’s published record next to the market for the same work. Compared with other frameworks and DPS only. Whole-market view: Firefighting, rescue and safety equipment (CPV 3511) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 58 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid2% / 0%
2–314% / 40%
4–621% / 40%
7+63% / 20%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS: the price is set later, on each call-off.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1Uniform ItemsCPV 3511Published estimate£60m
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid1%
2–333%
4–650%
7+17%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £11m29 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 8 live · £22m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 39% below n=4 | |
| £4.2m11 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 4 live · £20m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs | |
| £1.1m19 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 6 live · £21m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=4 | |
| £136k6 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 1 live · £66k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 30% below n=1 | |
| £102k6 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 1 live · £27k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs |
Lot #2PPE ItemsCPV 3314Published estimate£40m
This lot is listed as CPV 3314. The table above uses the notice category.
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid1%
2–332%
4–654%
7+14%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
Arco LimitedLarge | £12m13 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 5 live · £1.8m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=5 |
| £11m29 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 8 live · £22m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 39% below n=4 | |
| £12m20 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 7 live · £344k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=8 | |
| £4.2m11 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 4 live · £20m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs | |
| £1.1m19 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 6 live · £21m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=4 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Open admission
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- This Framework may be used by contracting authorities and other eligible customers located in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies existing on 06/10/2026. Eligible customers include central government departments, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies, assembly-sponsored public bodies, local authorities, emergency services (including police, fire, ambulance, maritime and coastguard services), NHS and healthcare organisations, educational establishments (including schools, academies, colleges and universities), housing associations and registered social landlords, national parks, hospices, charities, voluntary and community sector organisations, citizens advice bodies, and any other public sector body permitted to access the Framework in accordance with applicable procurement legislation.
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 12 Jan 2026, 16:05 GMT
- Last source update
- 22 Oct 2026, 13:05 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 11 Jan 2027
- Authority reference
Y26008- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-094250- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Not published
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060400Find a Tender
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Apply via Delta eSourcing- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Appointment period ends
- 12 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 22 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · 1% of call-off value
Access Code: 775V5K2842
Timeline
12 Jan 2026 → 22 Jan 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published289 days ago12 Jan 2026, 16:05 GMT
- Market engagement270 days ago30 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
The purpose of this engagement is to:
Understand market capability and capacity
Inform the development of the specification
Create an objective pricing mechanism
Explore innovative solutions
Identify potential risks and delivery models
Suppliers and Customers are invited to participate in the following activities:
Online Questionnaire via delta portal tender box and email to arrange 121 meetings on teams.
This is not a call for competition at this stage, it is to explore what is needed in the market place and how best to design the framework to assist public sector spending to offer best value and a route to market that is compliant.
- Tender notice published22 days ago6 Oct 2026, 13:08 BST
- Latest notice published6 days ago22 Oct 2026, 13:05 BST
- Clarification questions by6 days ago22 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Today28 Oct 2026
- Admission / appointment period endsin 15 days · period end, not a bid countdown12 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 75 days11 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 85 days22 Jan 2027
Notice history
8 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 12 Jan 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published12 Jan 2026, 16:05 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published6 Oct 2026, 13:08 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £100,000,0006 Oct 2026, 13:08 BSTwas £30,000,000
- Status changed to active6 Oct 2026, 13:08 BST
- Procurement method changed6 Oct 2026, 13:08 BST
- Deadline published: 5 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT6 Oct 2026, 13:08 BST
- Tender notice published22 Oct 2026, 13:05 BSTUK4
- Deadline moved to 12 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT22 Oct 2026, 13:05 BST+7 days · was 5 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender