Find a TenderAwardedContract award notice

Published 16 May 2025, 10:21 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Provision of Transport Services - Knowsley, Rochdale, St. Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford Council

Authority: Knowsley Council (Local council)·Consortium: 6 public authorities

Open framework scheme6 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable

Sectors: Transport & Passenger Services (60)Education & Training (80) Delivery: North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)

+6 more

East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)South East (UKJ)South West (UKK)

Framework ceiling (notional)£446,000,000total for 6 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update

Submissions closed 19 Jan 2026awarded 14 Apr 2026

Awarded to 24 X 7 LTD. +26 more6 awards

Framework period 8 yrsends 31 Mar 2034 · up to 31 Aug 2034 with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2026

What is being bought6 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The Councils require the provision of Transport Services, including for young people

between home and school (the "Services"). The Supplier will be expected to provide the

Services for specific Councils, with the aims of good quality, safety, value for money and

sustainability. The Councils also aim to avoid disruption in supply.

How the procedure runs: The Open Framework (the "Contract Period") is anticipated to remain in effect for a maximum duration of eight (8) years. An Open Framework is the umbrella term for a series of subsequent frameworks awarded on substantially the same terms. The timelines set out below indicate the initial, intended operation of the Framework; however, these are indicative only and may be subject to amendment at the Authority's discretion. Each period is referred to as a Framework followed by a number; this outlines the framework agreement life span before re-opening to the market for further competition. The timeline below indicates the potential for extension of each framework, but as a minimum new framework will be retendered in the 3rd year of the contract period and in the 6th. 1.1.2 Framework 1: To be established for an initial term of twelve (12) months, with the Authority reserving the right to extend the term by up to two (2) additional years, exercised in annual increments. 1.1.3 Framework 2: To operate for a fixed term of two (2) years, with the Authority reserving the right to extend the term by a further one (1) year. 1.1.4 Framework 3: To operate for a fixed term of two (2) years, with no extension provisions. 1.1.5 Those successful on each of the frameworks will be offered the opportunity to retain their existing bid for submission on the next corresponding framework, resubmit a new tender or withdraw from the future process. Note that failing to be selected from any of the frameworks does not preclude you from any of the future frameworks, but if you are successful and withdraw from the next framework but wish to join the framework after that, you will need to resubmit as you will not automatically be invited to that framework following a gap.

CPV: Special education services · Taxi services

How this framework works

From the published notice

Type: Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs: call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received: 48 bids on the busiest of 6 lots · 86 suppliers appointed
Framework period: 8 yrs · up to 8 yrs 5 mo from 1 Apr 2026
Scheme runs until: 31 Mar 2034

Published description of the framework

A Call-Off Contract by a Purchasing Body may be awarded by Direct Award or Mini-Competition.

DIRECT AWARD OPTIONS

Where a Purchasing Body elects to award a Call-Off Contract by Direct Award, the award shall be made using one of the following permitted methods. The Purchasing Body shall specify the applicable method in the Contract Particulars and contract award notice.

Option 1 - Lowest rate per mile

The call-off contract may be awarded to the Operator offering the lowest rate per mile for the specified requirement, provided that:

(a) All Framework Suppliers submitted a price rate per mile information when applying to join the Framework; and

(b) The award decision is objective, transparent and based solely on the lowest rate per mile.

Where the lowest price rate per mile Framework Supplier is unable to fulfil the Order, the Purchasing Body may offer the contract to the next lowest price rate per mile supplier in ranked order, until the Order is fulfilled.

Option 2 - Lowest total cost for route

The Purchasing Body may request cost information from each of the Framework Suppliers and offer the Contract to the Framework Supplier offering the lowest total deliverable cost for the specific requirement or route.

Option 3 - Ranked list (combined score)

The Purchasing Body may use a ranking system established within the Framework based on the best combined score - quality, price and social value.

A Call-Off Contract may be awarded to the highest-ranked Operator based on the combined score that is able to meet the requirements. If the first-ranked Operator declines or is unavailable, the Purchasing Body may approach the next ranked Operator in Order.

Option 4 - Urgent Requirement

A direct award may be made where:

an urgent operational requirement arises;
a mini competition cannot be reasonably be undertaken in the time available; and
the urgency was not caused by the Council's own actions.

Option 5 - Award Where Only One Supplier Can Meet the Requirement

A direct award may be made where only one Framework Supplier is capable of meeting the specified operational requirement, for example due to:

specialist vehicle needs;
safeguarding restrictions;
geographic availability;
legally mandated driver qualifications or licence categories.

The Purchasing Body must record the justification where this ground is used as required under the Procurement Act 2023.

Option 6 - Direct Award for Continuity of Service

Where continuity of service is essential (e.g., vulnerable children transport), the Council may make a direct award to the current Operator where:

Passengers would be adversely affected by any change in driver or provider; and/or
Passengers have expressed a clear preference for retaining the same driver or service provider; and/or
A change would cause disruption, confusion, or risk to vulnerable passengers; and or
Maintaining the current Operator is necessary to ensure consistent, safe and reliable service delivery.

MINI-COMPETITION

To conduct a Mini-Competition , the Purchasing Body shall:

Identify the Framework Agreement Operators capable of performing the Call-Off Contract for the Services;
Complete the Contract Particulars and supplement and refine the Call-Off Contract Terms and Conditions only to the extent permitted by the Framework Agreement or the Procurement Act 2023;
Invite Framework Operators to:

i) to submit a supplemental tender within a specified time limit, which takes into account factors such as the complexity of the subject matter of the Contract and the time needed to submit tenders; and

ii) keep each supplemental tender confidential until the expiry of the time limit for the receipt by it of the supplemental tenders;

iii) apply the Mini-Competition award criteria to any compliant Supplemental Tenders submitted through the mini-competition; and

iv) place an Order with the successful Operator by completing and signing the Contract Particulars.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Purchasing Body has followed the procedure set out above for a Mini Competition, the Purchasing Body may cancel, postpone, delay or end the procedure without placing an Order for Services or awarding a Contract. Nothing in the Framework Agreement obliges the Purchasing Body to place any Order for Services.

Mini-Competition Award Criteria

Under the mini-competition route the following criteria and weightings shall apply.

Purchasing Bodies may collaborate, and thus a requirement may be for an individual

Purchasing Body alone, or for multiple Purchasing Bodies.

The Purchasing Body shall determine the appropriate weighting that shall apply to their Invitation to Quote, however, the weighting must be within the ranges given.

Quality 0-60%

Social Value (included for contracts over £100k only)

0-20%

Price 40%-100%

Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure

6 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot

Every one of these 3 lots carries the same published figure, £80,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Knowsley CouncilAwardedRenewal 8 yrsSMEVCSEceiling above