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Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 8 May 2026, 09:59 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Contract Details Notice - Coach Framework

Official notice

Authority: Cardiff University (Education)

Framework agreement3 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Transport & Passenger Services (60) Delivery: Wales (UKL22)
Framework ceiling (notional)£1,200,000envelope for 3 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 23 Jun 2026awarded 17 Aug 2026
Awarded to Edwards Coaches Ltd +3 more3 awards
Framework period 2 yrsends 31 Jul 2028 · up to 31 Jul 2030 with extensions · starts 1 Aug 2026

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Contract Details Notice - Cardiff University Coach Framework

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 3 May 2030, 23:59 BST.

CPV: Hire of buses and coaches with driver

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places
up to 3 suppliers · 7 bids on the busiest of 3 lots (2.3 per place) · 4 appointed (full)
Framework period
2 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 1 Aug 2026
Published description of the framework

Priced via Rate Card fixed for first two years

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Coach HireAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£1,000,000

Ad-hoc Services (including fixed term contracts)

Contract period: 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jul 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2030 with extensionsValue: £1,000,000 exc. VAT · £1,200,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Contract Extensions
60172000 Hire of buses and coaches with driver
Lot #2International ArrivalsAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£80,000

Collect students from Heathrow Airport

Contract period: 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jul 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2030 with extensionsValue: £80,000 exc. VAT · £96,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Optional Extension
60172000 Hire of buses and coaches with driver
Lot #3Min-BusAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£40,000

For smaller transport requirements where only a mini-bus plus driver is required.

Contract period: 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jul 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2030 with extensionsValue: £40,000 exc. VAT · £48,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Optional Extensions
60172000 Hire of buses and coaches with driver

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Quality: 40%Price: 60%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Quality: 30%
  • Responsible Procurement: 10%
  • Price: 60%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Quality
  • Responsible Procurement: Sustainability
  • Price
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • “Contract Details Notice - Coach Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 3 suppliers, 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.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use the vehicle
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 3 May 2030
First published
8 May 2026, 09:59 BST
Last source update
8 Sept 2026, 08:49 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 3 Jul 2026
Authority reference
CU.2087.TH
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-050917
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Hire of buses and coaches with driver
Delivery area
Wales (UKL22)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-069437 Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

The University operates a no Purchase Order = No Pay policy. Invoices to be submitted to [email protected]

Review and risk notes
Risks

Passenger Safety is paramount as is Reliability, Roadworthiness, safeguarding the University's reputation and compliance with relevant UK legislation

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN, CY
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Appointment period ends
23 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
18 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en, cy
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/as… ↗

Timeline

8 May 2026 → 8 Sept 2026 · 11 dates
  1. Planning notice published161 days ago
    8 May 2026, 09:59 BST
  2. Market engagement140 days ago
    28 May 2026, 23:59 BST

    Prospective bidders are invited to provide information regarding their services, with particular emphasis on reliability, customer service, safety, and sustainability.

    While the University anticipates awarding contracts to a maximum of three suppliers, we welcome feedback and innovative ideas from the market on how this model could operate effectively in practice, including opportunities to reduce costs and maximise commercial value.

    While the University welcomes feedback and suggestions, it should be noted that we are unable to guarantee that any such contributions will be incorporated into the final tender documentation.

    Suppliers who choose not to submit a response at this stage will not be disadvantaged or precluded from submitting a proposal at the final tender stage. Likewise, suppliers who do provide a response at this stage will not be treated more favourably.

  3. Tender notice published140 days ago
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
  4. Next notice expected139 days ago
    29 May 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Clarification questions by120 days ago
    18 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
  6. Admission / appointment period ends115 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    23 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
  7. Award decision expected by104 days ago
    3 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  8. Contract starts76 days ago
    1 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
  9. Assessment summaries sent60 days ago
    17 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
  10. Standstill ends49 days ago
    27 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
  11. Latest notice published38 days ago
    8 Sept 2026, 08:49 BST

Notice history

11 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 May 2026
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    8 May 2026, 09:59 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value updated to £1,200,000
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
    was £1,600,000
  4. Status changed to active
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
  6. Deadline published: 23 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
    29 May 2026, 15:03 BST
  7. Contract award notice published
    18 Aug 2026, 08:54 BST
    UK6
  8. Status changed to complete
    18 Aug 2026, 08:54 BST
  9. Contract signature expected
    28 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  10. Contract details notice published
    7 Sept 2026, 21:01 BST
    UK7
  11. Contract details notice published
    8 Sept 2026, 08:49 BST
    UK7
Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2026-05: 2 releases · 8 May 2026, 29 May 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 43 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 76 from SMEs · busiest of 3 lots
Contracts signed 3latest 27 Aug 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Coach Hire1 award
Edwards Coaches LtdSME, Gwyn JonesSME, KEEPINGS COACHES LTDSMECoach Hire Framework1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2028 · up to 31 Aug 2030Extensions: Optional Extension£920,00017 Aug 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · International Arrivals1 award
Edwards Coaches LtdSME, Gwyn JonesSME, THE KINGS FERRY LIMITEDSMELot 2 International Arrivals1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2028 · up to 31 Aug 2030Extensions: Optional Extension£80,00017 Aug 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · Min-Bus1 award
Edwards Coaches LtdSME, Gwyn JonesSME, KEEPINGS COACHES LTDSMELot 3 Mini-Bus Hire1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2028 · up to 31 Aug 2030Extensions: Optional Extension£40,00017 Aug 2026Awarded

Contracts

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Coach Hire6final-stage tenders60—
2 · International Arrivals7final-stage tenders60—
3 · Min-Bus5final-stage tenders50—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Cardiff University

Contracting authorityPublic undertakingWelsh devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PHVT-4343-HWYR Procurement Services, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 4HQContact name, email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

4 commercial parties on the notice
  • Edwards CoachesFramework contractorGB-PPON: PZBB-5864-YCCW Parc Busnes Edwards - Edwards Business Park, Ynysmaerdy, Pontyclun,, Wales, CF72 8QZContact email
  • Gwyn JonesFramework contractorGB-PPON: PMTD-8393-DPRR Whitecroft Garage, Bryncethin, Wales, CF32 9YRContact email
  • KEEPINGS COACHES LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PWRP-2524-TRTN Rheola House Rheola Street, Mountain Ash, Wales, CF45 3TEContact email
  • THE KINGS FERRY LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PWNC-8351-LYGH National Express House Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 6DDContact email

Official documents & specifications (11)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
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