School and Special Transport Open Framework
Key facts
- Closing date
- Friday 9 October 2026, 19:00 (UK time)
- Buyer's estimated value
- £48,000,000 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you. For a framework this usually covers the whole agreement, not a single contract.
- Clarification questions deadline
- 23 September 2026, 23:59
- Contract period
- 1 Dec 2026 to 19 Mar 2029
- Procedure
- Open procedure
- Notice type
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Suitable for SMEs (per buyer)
- Yes
- Arrangement
- Framework agreement
Decision brief
Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.
- How bids will be scored
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Lot 1
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
Lot 2
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
Lot 3
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
Lot 4
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
Lot 5
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
Lot 6
- Price 90% : Assessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation…
- Quality 10% : Assessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance…
- Conditions of participation (what you must show)
- None published in the notice. They may be in the tender documents.
- Contract length and extensions
- 1 Dec 2026 to 19 Mar 2029. Extensions: option to extend is available up to 5 years 8 months (until 30 November 2034) Options: The Open Framework will commence on 1 December 2026 and continue until 19 March 2029. The Council reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the Open Framework on one or more occasions, provided that the total duration of the Open Framework, including all extensions, does not exceed eigh…
- How to submit
- Bidders must register on the ADAM eProcurement System to access the procurement documents and submit a response. To register click on the link below. https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/health-social-care/software/commissioning-software/access-adam-providers-site/passenger-transport/ Open www.theaccessgroup.com ↗ Electronic submission: allowed.
- Changes the buyer has announced
- The tender submission deadline has been changed to 9 October 2026 at 7pm.
- Tender documents
- No document links in the notice. Use the official notice link.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
- Framework
- An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
- Open for bids / closing date
- You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
- Clarification questions
- A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
- Conditions of participation
- What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
- Bids are scored on
- How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
- Lots
- A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
- Area (ITL)
- The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
- UK4 and other notice codes
- Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.
General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.
Description
Lots (6)
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Lot 1: Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 1-3 passengers
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 1 to 3 passengers. Services may include home to school transport, transport to specialist educational settings, alternative provision, social care placements, medical appointments and other Council-approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in ac...
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Lot 2: Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 4-8 passengers
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 4 to 8 passengers. Services may include shared and dedicated transport arrangements for mainstream education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alternative provision, social care and other commissioned services. Transport shall be provid...
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Lot 3: Passenger Transport Services (9-16 Passengers)
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 9 to 16 passengers. Services may include scheduled and ad hoc transport for children, young people and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments, specialist settings, alternative provision, social care placements and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with rou...
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Lot 4: Passenger Transport Services (17-33 Passengers)
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 17 to 33 passengers. Services may include shared transport arrangements for pupils and other authorised service users travelling to mainstream schools, specialist educational settings, alternative provision and other approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in accordance with route specifications issued by the Cou...
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Lot 5: Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers. Services may include large-capacity transport for school pupils and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with route specifications, performance requirements and Call-Off Contract terms issued b...
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Lot 6: Medical Transport Services
Value: £48,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Provision of non-emergency medical transport services for eligible service users travelling to and from healthcare facilities, treatment centres, clinics and other approved medical appointments. Services may be delivered using a range of vehicle types appropriate to the needs of the passenger and may include transport for individuals with mobility, accessibility or medical requirements. Services s...