Two experienced waste management companies are competing for a 16-year, multi-million pound contract to provide Recycling, Waste Collection and, Street Cleansing Services in Southend-on-Sea.

Following legal, financial and technical evaluations of tender submissions, two companies – namely Veolia and Sita have been invited by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to the third and final stage of the procurement process.

Cllr Ron Woodley, Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “Throughout this process, our aim is to secure the company that can best serve the interests of Southend in the long term. We want a company that will continue and improve upon our recycling targets, deliver a first-class service to our residents and businesses, maintain an attractive street scene across the Borough and provide the best possible value for council tax-payers’ money.

“The process for selecting a service provider has progressed well and it’s encouraging to be at the final stages of tendering with two very experienced companies in the running, who between them have over 50 waste management contracts with local authorities. The vast majority of staff working for Cory will transfer to the new contractor, therefore protecting local employment.”

“Officers will now continue dialogue with these two companies to help them further develop their proposals, with final tenders due to be submitted in February 2015.”

The current recycling, waste and street cleansing services contract expires on 4th October 2015. Under the terms of the contract there is no option to extend the contract past this date and a new procurement process was required to commence a new contract from 5th October 2015. The new contract will also integrate toilet cleaning, weed spraying and graffiti cleaning services which are currently provided under separate arrangements.

The process for retendering began in June 2014 when companies were invited to express their interest and take part in a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ). The Council received seven responses at that stage.

The Council will award the contract in March 2015 to the most economically advantageous tender that meets the Service Quality Standards.