Official UK procurement notice
Bus Franchising - North West Greater Manchester Small Franchises - 2 Lots
Authority: Transport for Greater Manchester (Public body)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionBus Franchising - North West Greater Manchester Small Franchises - 2 Lots Description: Following the implementation of Bus Franchising across Greater Manchester. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is seeking Operators to provide bus services for these Small Franchises from March 2027, consisting of the following two lots: Lot 1. Bolton, Bury and Farnworth Small Franchise, estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR amended to 32) one service, i.e. Service 521 will start 19th September 2027. Lot 2. Leigh and Atherton Small Franchise, estimated (PVR amended to 22) one service, i.e. Service 553 will start operation on 19th September 2027.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 18 Aug 2030, 23:59 BST.
- How the procedure runs: This procurement will be run using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. TfGM have published all relevant Procurement Tender documentation on the ProContract Tender Portal (using DN780667): https://procontract.due-north.com/ For all steps of the procurement process, post the Conditions of Participation stage, Bidders should refer to the procurement timetable (table 3) which is in the draft Invitation to Negotiate document (ITN). This can be found in the suite of documents as detailed above. Conditions of Participation stage - via a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ): Conditions of participation are criteria that potential Bidders must meet to be eligible to participate in this procurement process. These conditions are used to assess the Bidder (not the tender) and are distinct from award criteria, which evaluate the tender itself. The tender documentation includes a PSQ in which a potential Bidder must successfully complete and pass in order to get through to the ITN stage. You only need to submit one PSQ, even if intending to bid for both Lots. PSQ submissions must be sent via the ProContract portal, address above, by the date detailed in the PSQ document ITN stage: All potential Bidders that have successfully completed and passed the PSQ phase, will be invited to ITN supplier negotiation meetings to support and inform their tender requirements prior to final tender submissions. Meetings will be held virtually via teams on the various delivery plan and Lot requirements, such as (but not limited to), Finance, Mobilisation, Health and Safety, Social Value etc. ITN Submission stage (Final): Post the supplier negotiation meetings (operators that were successful at PSQ stage) will be invited to submit a bid for the two available Lots, if bidding for both Lots bidders must submit one submission per Lot, clearly marking which Lot they are bidding for. ITN submissions must be sent via the ProContract portal, address above, by the date detailed in the ITN document. Award criteria: 40% is based on price and 60% based on technical quality. The winning bidder per Lot will be the one with highest combined score (per Lot).
CPV: Public road transport services
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value (£90,000,000 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Bolton, Bury, Farnworth Small FranchiseAwardedRenewalPublished value£51,000,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Technical & professional ability
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Only successful suppliers that have passed the PSQ stage will be invited to submit Tenders.
Lot #2Leigh and Atherton Small FranchiseAwardedRenewalPublished value£39,000,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Technical & professional ability
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Only successful suppliers that have passed the PSQ stage will be invited to submit Tenders.
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).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Qualitative: 60%
- Quantitative: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
- Economic & financial standing
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Technical & professional ability
As set out in the PSQ. Available on ProContract ref:DN780667
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Only successful suppliers that have passed the PSQ stage will be invited to submit Tenders.
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 18 Aug 2030
- First published
- 4 Jul 2025, 13:42 BST
- Last source update
- 30 Sept 2026, 14:55 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 11 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
DN780667- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-041797- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05592cFind a Tender
- How it runs
This procurement will be run using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023.
TfGM have published all relevant Procurement Tender documentation on the ProContract Tender Portal (using DN780667): procontract.due-north.com ↗
For all steps of the procurement process, post the Conditions of Participation stage, Bidders should refer to the procurement timetable (table 3) which is in the draft Invitation to Negotiate document (ITN). This can be found in the suite of documents as detailed above.
Conditions of Participation stage - via a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ):
Conditions of participation are criteria that potential Bidders must meet to be eligible to participate in this procurement process. These conditions are used to assess the Bidder (not the tender) and are distinct from award criteria, which evaluate the tender itself.
The tender documentation includes a PSQ in which a potential Bidder must successfully complete and pass in order to get through to the ITN stage.
You only need to submit one PSQ, even if intending to bid for both Lots.
PSQ submissions must be sent via the ProContract portal, address above, by the date detailed in the PSQ document
ITN stage:
All potential Bidders that have successfully completed and passed the PSQ phase, will be invited to ITN supplier negotiation meetings to support and inform their tender requirements prior to final tender submissions. Meetings will be held virtually via teams on the various delivery plan and Lot requirements, such as (but not limited to), Finance, Mobilisation, Health and Safety, Social Value etc.
ITN Submission stage (Final):
Post the supplier negotiation meetings (operators that were successful at PSQ stage) will be invited to submit a bid for the two available Lots, if bidding for both Lots bidders must submit one submission per Lot, clearly marking which Lot they are bidding for.
ITN submissions must be sent via the ProContract portal, address above, by the date detailed in the ITN document.
Award criteria:
40% is based on price and 60% based on technical quality. The winning bidder per Lot will be the one with highest combined score (per Lot).
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 26 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 26 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 11 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This Tender will be conducted via the ProContract procurement portal. Suppliers can register for free using the following link: procontract.due-north.com/Register ↗.
PSQ Submission stage:
Bidders need only submit one PSQ submission even if Bidding for both Lots. Submissions should be sent via the above ProContract portal address.
Timeline
4 Jul 2025 → 7 Mar 2027 · 11 dates- Planning notice published4 Jul 2025, 13:42 BST
- Market engagement11 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
Operators will be sent a questionnaire to provide feedback on the request, please ensure all feedback is received by the 11th July 2025. All feedback should be sent via the messaging facility with ProContract.
TfGM intends to send the Tender notice w/c 21st July 2025.
There will be a supplier Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) process in which a potential bidder must successfully complete and pass in order to get through to final tender submission.
- Tender notice published21 Jul 2025, 18:07 BST
- Next notice expected21 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by11 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline26 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by133 days ago11 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent93 days ago22 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends80 days ago3 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published22 days ago30 Sept 2026, 14:55 BST
- Today22 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 135 days7 Mar 2027
Notice history
8 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Jul 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published4 Jul 2025, 13:42 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published21 Jul 2025, 18:07 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active21 Jul 2025, 18:07 BST
- Procurement method changed21 Jul 2025, 18:07 BST
- Contract award notice published22 Jul 2026, 15:28 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete22 Jul 2026, 15:28 BST
- Contract signature expected4 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published30 Sept 2026, 14:55 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-07: 1 release · 4 Jul 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Bolton, Bury, Farnworth Small Franchise1 award | |||
| Go North West Limited7 Mar 2027 – 18 Aug 2030 · up to 18 Aug 2032Extensions: TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total) | £36,968,000 | 22 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Leigh and Atherton Small Franchise1 award | |||
| Go North West Limited7 Mar 2027 – 18 Aug 2030 · up to 18 Aug 2032Extensions: TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total). | £27,031,000 | 22 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · Go North West Limited
- Signed
- 1 Sept 2026
- Value
- £36,968,000
- Period
- 7 Mar 2027 – 18 Aug 2030 · up to 18 Aug 2032 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total).
3 agreed KPIs: Start Point Punctuality · Social Value · Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Rate
- Start Point Punctuality, The Start Point Punctuality KPI measures how reliably services leave their schedule start point on time.
- Social Value, The Social Value KPI is likely intended to measure whether social value commitments are made as part of the franchise.
- Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Rate, The Road Traffic Collision Rate measures the number of reportable traffic collisions associated with the services in the franchise.
Contract 2 · Go North West Limited
- Signed
- 1 Sept 2026
- Value
- £27,031,000
- Period
- 7 Mar 2027 – 18 Aug 2030 · up to 18 Aug 2032 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total).
3 agreed KPIs: Start Point Punctuality · Social Value · Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Rate
- Start Point Punctuality, The Start Point Punctuality KPI measures how reliably services leave their schedule start point on time.
- Social Value, The Social Value KPI is likely intended to measure whether social value commitments are made as part of the franchise.
- Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Rate, The Road Traffic Collision Rate measures the number of reportable traffic collisions associated with the services in the franchise.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Bolton, Bury, Farnworth Small Franchise | 6final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Leigh and Atherton Small Franchise | 7final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonGO NORTH WEST LIMITED · North East England · all lots
- did not winARRIVA MERSEYSIDE LIMITED · North East England · all lots
- did not winDIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED · West Midlands · all lots
- did not winFIRST MANCHESTER LIMITED · Greater London · all lots
- did not winROSSENDALE TRANSPORT LIMITED · Yorkshire and the Humber · 1
- did not winGREATER MANCHESTER BUSES SOUTH LIMITED · North West England · all lots
- did not winHUYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDSME · East Midlands · 2
- did not winWARRINGTON BOROUGH TRANSPORT LIMITED · North West England · 2
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
8 commercial parties on the notice · 1 awarded- ARRIVA MERSEYSIDE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- FIRST MANCHESTER LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- GO NORTH WEST LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- GREATER MANCHESTER BUSES SOUTH LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- HUYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- ROSSENDALE TRANSPORT LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- WARRINGTON BOROUGH TRANSPORT LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (10)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Schedule 18 document (Payment Mechanism and Performance Regime) will follow. This document will be provided free of charge and will be made available via the ProContract portal. https://procontract.due-north.com/ In the meantime TfGM have provided a PowerPoint presentation. This document is named "NWGM Small Franchises-Schedule 18 Key Principles.pptx" and will explain schedule 18 (Payment Mechanism and Performance Regime), this document is also included in project DN780667 alongside all the other Tender documents.
- Bidding documents and specifications All tender documents can be found at DN780667
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award 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