AWARD OUTCOME
What happened
West Midlands Combined Authority has published a pending award to GROUND CONTROL LIMITED for transport infrastructure grounds and winter maintenance across TfWM assets. The notice records a standstill period ending 22 October 2026 and a future signature milestone on 23 October 2026; it does not confirm that a contract has been signed or started.
Published outcomeGROUND CONTROL LIMITED is the named supplier for award 1, covering lot 1. The award is pending.
Market significanceThe published award value is £3,474,636.86 excluding VAT (£4,169,564.23 including VAT) for a transport-asset maintenance requirement with a potential maximum term through 31 March 2036 if all stated extensions are used.
AWARDED SUPPLIERS AND LOTS
1 supplier record analysed
GROUND CONTROL LIMITED
99% confidenceAward 1 · Lots 1 · £3,474,636.86 excluding VAT; £4,169,564.23 including VAT GBP · Verified legal supplier named in a pending award
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Award 1 names GROUND CONTROL LIMITED (GB-COH-01795094) as supplier. Supplier verification identifies the legal company as GROUND CONTROL LIMITED, company number 01795094, matched by company number.
LIFECYCLE
Award or contract stage
Notice status
99% confidenceContract award notice published; award status pending
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The source describes a UK6 Contract award notice, while award 1 is marked "pending".
Standstill period
99% confidenceEnds 22 October 2026 at 23:59:59+01:00
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Award 1 standstillPeriod.endDate is 2026-10-22T23:59:59+01:00.
Future signature milestone
99% confidence23 October 2026 at 23:59:59+01:00
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Award milestone type futureSignatureDate is scheduled for 2026-10-23T23:59:59+01:00.
Contract conclusion
99% confidenceNot confirmed
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The award remains pending and the notice specifies a future signature date.
Contract start
97% confidencePlanned for 1 November 2026
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Award 1 contractPeriod.startDate is 2026-11-01T00:00:00Z.
VALUES
Published values explained
Award value excluding VAT
99% confidence£3,474,636.86
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Award 1 value.amount is 3474636.86 GBP.
Award value including VAT
99% confidence£4,169,564.23
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Award 1 value.amountGross is 4169564.23 GBP.
Process-level maximum value
99% confidence£2,400,000
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The process field value_max is 2400000 GBP, which conflicts with the award value.
Lot-level value
99% confidenceUnknown
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Lot 1 has no published value; the award covers lot 1.
TIMELINE
Procurement timeline
Tender notice published
99% confidence22 May 2026
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Release history lists tender notice 048285-2026, released 2026-05-22.
Submission deadline
99% confidence19 June 2026, 12:00 BST
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Process submission_deadline is 2026-06-19T12:00:00+01:00.
Award decision date
99% confidence13 October 2026
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Award 1 date is 2026-10-13.
Award notice published
99% confidence13 October 2026
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Award notice 096487-2026 datePublished is 2026-10-13T11:59:15+01:00.
Planned initial end date
99% confidence31 March 2031
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Award 1 contractPeriod.endDate is 2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00.
Maximum possible end date
99% confidence31 March 2036
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Award 1 contractPeriod.maxExtentDate is 2036-03-31T23:59:59+01:00.
SCOPE
What was awarded
Requirement
98% confidenceGrounds maintenance, vegetation management, winter maintenance, litter picking and case-by-case quoted high-level tree works
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The published description specifies these services across TfWM transport infrastructure assets.
Sites
98% confidenceBus stations, park-and-ride sites and 16 Summer Lane
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The description lists bus stations and park-and-ride locations, with winter maintenance also at 16 Summer Lane.
Geographic delivery area
99% confidenceWest Midlands (UKG)
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Award item deliveryAddresses specifies region UKG.
Lot structure
99% confidenceOne published lot (lot 1); no lot title or description supplied
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Tender and award data reference lot 1, and the lot record has no title or description.
Sustainability expectations
96% confidenceSupplier is expected to integrate sustainable operating practices
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The description refers to lower-emission vehicles, route optimisation, recycling, approved waste disposal, reusable components and green technology or ethically sourced materials.
PROCEDURE
Procedure and competition
Procedure
99% confidenceOpen procedure
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Process procurement_method_details is "Open procedure".
Regime
99% confidenceUtilities
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Tender specialRegime includes "utilities".
Competition information
99% confidenceUnknown
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Information on bidder numbers, bid rankings, scores and evaluation outcomes was not supplied in the published notice data.
Above-threshold status
99% confidenceYes
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Award 1 aboveThreshold is true.
CONTRACT TERMS
Published contract terms
Planned initial term
99% confidence1 November 2026 to 31 March 2031
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Award 1 contractPeriod gives these start and end dates.
Extension options
99% confidenceTwo optional extensions: three years to 31 March 2034, then two years to 31 March 2036
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Award 1 renewal description states "2 x optional extension periods of 3 years ... and 2 years".
Maximum potential term
99% confidenceUp to 31 March 2036
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Award 1 maxExtentDate is 31 March 2036.
Contract execution
99% confidenceNot confirmed
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The future signature date is scheduled after the stated publication/award date and the award is pending.
COMMERCIAL VIEW
Commercial observations
Service integration
96% confidenceThe provider is expected to work with TfWM and other service providers and partners.
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The description requires partnership working with TfWM and suppliers involved in cleaning, shelter manufacture, installation and advertising.
Operational demand profile
98% confidenceThe scope combines routine estate maintenance with seasonal winter services and ad hoc quoted tree works.
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The description specifies grounds maintenance, winter maintenance, litter picking and case-by-case high-level tree works.
Value interpretation
99% confidenceThe published award value should not be treated as a confirmed signed-contract value while the award remains pending.
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Award 1 is pending, with a future signature milestone.
DATA QUALITY
Gaps and source limitations
Pending award status
99% confidenceThe notice is a contract award notice, but the award is pending rather than confirmed as concluded.
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Award 1 status is pending; a future signature date is scheduled for 23 October 2026.
Conflicting value fields
99% confidenceThe process-level £2,400,000 maximum conflicts with the £3,474,636.86 award value excluding VAT; neither is used to override the other.
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Process value_max is 2400000 GBP, while award 1 value.amount is 3474636.86 GBP.
Lot detail limitation
99% confidenceLot 1 has no published title, description or individual value.
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The lot record contains null title, description and value fields.
Supplier identity quality
99% confidenceSupplier identity is verified by company number; no name mismatch is indicated.
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Supplier verification reports verified status, company-number matching, and nameMismatch false.
SOURCE DATA LIMITATIONS
Information not supplied in the published notice
- The award is pending, so the source does not establish that a contract has been signed, concluded or started.
- The process-level maximum value (£2,400,000) conflicts with the award value (£3,474,636.86 excluding VAT); the source does not explain the discrepancy.
- Information not supplied in the published notice: bidder count, evaluation scores, reasons for award, pricing breakdown, lot title, lot description and lot-specific value.
- The stated contract start and end dates are planned award terms, not evidence of service mobilisation or completion.
MARKET THEMES
Relevant award themes
GROUND CONTROL LIMITEDWest Midlands Combined AuthorityTransport Infrastructure Grounds MaintenanceTfWMgrounds maintenancewinter maintenanceFind a Tender
COMMON QUESTIONS
About this award
Who is named in the award?
GROUND CONTROL LIMITED, verified against company number 01795094.
Has the contract been signed?
Not confirmed. The award is marked pending, with a future signature date scheduled for 23 October 2026.
What is the published award value?
£3,474,636.86 excluding VAT and £4,169,564.23 including VAT.
How long could the arrangement run?
The planned initial term ends on 31 March 2031, with optional extensions that could take it to 31 March 2036.
ProcuraAxis award analysis supplements, but does not replace, the official award notice, contract data or procurement documents. “Awarded” does not by itself prove that a contract has been signed.