Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme - Preliminary Market Engagement

Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme - Preliminary Market Engagement

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement in relation to the proposed Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme.

The Council is seeking evidence-based feedback from experienced micromobility operators and other relevant market participants to help test whether the proposed requirements are safe, deliverable, commercially sustainable and capable of delivering measurable public value.

This engagement will inform the Council's development of the proposed procurement approach, specification, commercial model, contract arrangements and associated procurement documentation before any subsequent formal procurement process is commenced.

GCC is particularly interested in market feedback on:

• realistic fleet ranges and potential service areas;
• the deliverability of an integrated e-scooter and e-bike concession;
• parking, docking/locking and associated infrastructure requirements;
• commercially sustainable operating and revenue models;
• mobilisation requirements and continuity of the existing e-scooter service;
• rider, pedestrian and wider public safety;
• management of events, the night-time economy and anti-social behaviour;
• accessibility and inclusive customer journeys;
• operational data, reporting, information governance and appropriate performance measures;
• environmental performance, mode shift and carbon benefits;
• social value and wider local benefits; and
• appropriate procurement and mobilisation timescales.

The existing e-scooter trial includes areas within Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham districts. As part of this engagement, GCC is interested in understanding the potential for development of the existing service and the introduction of e-bikes, together with the evidence that should inform consideration of any future expansion into other locations.

The Council is also seeking market feedback on the commercial viability of an operator-risk concession and the factors that should inform the eventual commercial model. Suppliers are not being asked to provide a priced tender, detailed financial model, profit or cash-flow information as part of this Preliminary Market Engagement.

The current proposition being tested includes an initial 12-month contract term with the potential for up to three further one-year extensions, subject to the applicable legal and regulatory position, satisfactory performance and evidence of demand for wider provision across Gloucestershire.

How to participate

Interested organisations should review the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation and accompanying draft specification and register their interest in participating in the engagement.

Registration for the Preliminary Market Engagement is available through the following Microsoft Form:

[PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE - GLOUCESTERSHIRE E-SCOOTER AND E-BIKE SCHEME](forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx ↗)

Suppliers should identify relevant assumptions, dependencies and legal or regulatory constraints and, where possible, provide supporting evidence. Responses should also distinguish between established capability, proposed developments and matters that would require third-party or regulatory approval.

Market engagement may include online Microsoft Teams sessions and, where feasible, face-to-face sessions at Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester. Further joining information will be provided following registration.

SAP Business Network

Gloucestershire County Council intends to conduct any subsequent procurement through SAP Ariba. Organisations interested in participating in the future procurement are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure they are registered on the SAP Business Network in advance.

Suppliers who have not completed the required registration may be unable to access tender documentation, submit a tender response or receive procurement correspondence through the designated channels when the future opportunity is published.

Organisations requiring support with SAP Business Network registration should contact GCC Commercial Services at [email protected]. or at [email protected] to follow up.

**Important notice**

Participation in this Preliminary Market Engagement is voluntary. This exercise is not a call for competition or an invitation to tender and does not create any commitment by Gloucestershire County Council to commence a procurement or award a contract.

Participation or non-participation will not confer an advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement. Respondents are responsible for their own costs of participating. GCC may use information received through the engagement to refine its procurement strategy, specification, commercial model, contract terms, evaluation approach and timetable.

If commercially sensitive information is included in your organisations response, please ensure that it is clearly identified.