Official UK procurement notice
Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators
Authority: Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer) (Public body)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionTransport for Wales Rail (TfWRL) are in-housing the co-ordination and management of Rail Replacement Service (RRS) across Wales and Border routes operated by TfWRL within Wales and between Wales and England. Or any such route operated by TfW as may arise in future.
This means that all pre-planned and emergency rail replacement services currently provided by coach and bus operators through an aggregator agreement, will be contracted for as services, directly by TfWRL.
This procurement also includes the requirement for adhoc travel services to be commissioned via this framework as they arise.
Based upon 24/25 Financial year data, approximately 6,000 emergency duties and 21,000 planned duties were delivered by circa 135 different operators.
It is currently intended the Open Framework will run for the maximum 8 year term.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 22 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: Refer to ITT Volume 1 for full details. Single Stage Procurement. Step 1 - Participation Stage - not used for down selection. All Tenderers must pass this stage to be appointed to the Framework. Step 2 - Technical responses will be evaluated and the Commercial responses will be checked for accuracy/errors or omissions. Step 3 - Dialogue - the Authority reserves the right to hold a dialogue stage with some or all operators if needed to clarify any complex queries arising. Any changes to the specification or Terms and Conditions would be communicated to all bidders. This is to ensure any unforeseen issues arising can be dealt with effectively and supports the assurance process that the Authority requirement is understood and the Tenderer offer and ability to provide the service is consistent with the requirement. Step 4 - Notify Bidders if they are successful in being appointed to the framework and provide assessment summaries. Step 5 - Calling off under the framework - the quality scores and commercial rate card will be imported into a separate 'end to end' system within which duties are calculated and the ranked order of bidders determined in accordance with the award methodology (price/quality weighting) described in the ITT). Each duty/blockage is effectively an individual competition.
CPV: Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver · Non-scheduled passenger transport · Public road transport services · Special-purpose road passenger-transport 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
- 63 bids on the busiest of 3 lots · 53 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 8 yrs from 24 Jul 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 24 Jul 2034
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
Published description of the framework
Operators will be required to pass all of the first stage selection questions to be appointed to the framework.
The operators technical and commercial submissions for Lot 1 and Lot 2 shall be imported into the end to end system on a weighted basis and used to determine the ranked order for calling off under the Framework taking into account relevant information regarding the location and delivery of the services where appropriate.
Lot 1 - Emergency - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be contacted by telephone, email or text message to offer the duty. The nature of the emergency will determine how much time Operators have to respond e.g. If a higher ranked operator is contacted and fails to accept the duty within the prescribed timescale, the duty will be offered to the next highest ranked operator. Operators may also be contacted simultaneously and the duty offered to the first to respond regardless of ranked position.
Lot 2 - Pre-Planned - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be requested to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) within a prescribed timeframe. Upon receipt of the EOI, the duty will be offered in line with the ranked order.
Lot 3 - Mini Competition - All Operators appointed to Lots 1 and Lot 2, who express an interest when the framework is established, in bidding for Lot 3 duties will be invited to submit a price for the duty/blockade. The quality scores for the technical questions at the time the framework was established will be carried forward and added to the price score on a weighted basis to create the combined ranking. The duty/blockade will be offered to the highest ranked operator.
In all cases, duties/blockades will only be offered to operators with the vehicle and disc capacity.
Full details of the process are explained in the tender pack.
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lotLot #1Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)AwardedRenewalPublished value£28,353,016
Duties to be offered with up to 48 Hours Notice.
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
Lot #2Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-PlannedAwardedPublished value£40,504,308
Part 2 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (48 hours to 14 days)
Part 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (over 14 days)
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
Lot #3Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days)AwardedPublished value£12,151,292
Larger groups of duties/blockades over a longer period of time. Each variable, dependant upon the specific need for rail replacement services at the time.
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
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).
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
- “Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
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
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 22 Jan 2027
- First published
- 9 Jan 2026, 17:25 GMT
- Last source update
- 10 Aug 2026, 10:48 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 16 Jul 2026
- Authority reference
TfW0993.00- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-038244- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060348Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
30 Days for traditional PO invoice payment and 14 days if automated billing processes are adopted.
- How it runs
Refer to ITT Volume 1 for full details.
Single Stage Procurement.
Step 1 - Participation Stage - not used for down selection. All Tenderers must pass this stage to be appointed to the Framework.
Step 2 - Technical responses will be evaluated and the Commercial responses will be checked for accuracy/errors or omissions.
Step 3 - Dialogue - the Authority reserves the right to hold a dialogue stage with some or all operators if needed to clarify any complex queries arising. Any changes to the specification or Terms and Conditions would be communicated to all bidders. This is to ensure any unforeseen issues arising can be dealt with effectively and supports the assurance process that the Authority requirement is understood and the Tenderer offer and ability to provide the service is consistent with the requirement.
Step 4 - Notify Bidders if they are successful in being appointed to the framework and provide assessment summaries.
Step 5 - Calling off under the framework - the quality scores and commercial rate card will be imported into a separate 'end to end' system within which duties are calculated and the ranked order of bidders determined in accordance with the award methodology (price/quality weighting) described in the ITT). Each duty/blockage is effectively an individual competition.
- Risks
Examples of known risks at the framework level include:
Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles.
Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services.
Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services.
Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include:
Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate.
Late cancellation of duties
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en, cy
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
Timeline
9 Jan 2026 → 19 Aug 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published284 days ago9 Jan 2026, 17:25 GMT
- Market engagement235 days ago27 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
This notice is issued solely for the purpose of gathering market intelligence and does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to a formal procurement process at this stage.
Through this early market engagement exercise, Transport for Wales Rail Limited the Contracting Authority seeks to:
- Hold a series of Meet the Buyer market engagement events across Wales, to share its future vision with operators for future service provision of the planned change to in-house the co-ordination and management of the Rail Replacement Service.
- Understand the level of operator market interest in supplying all emergency and pre-planned rail replacement services directly to TfW by participating in any future procurement opportunity.
- Provide updates of its procurement process, timescales and current strategy.
- Obtain information to help inform the specification e.g. duty allocation method, setting of appropriate service level KPI’s; pricing options and options for geographical zoning etc.
- Obtain insight from operators of the challenges they face in delivering the service and provide suggestions as to how it may be improved
- Understand any operator risks, including any associated risks and mitigations when providing this service.
- Challenges Transport for Wales Rail Limited may not have considered.
TfW currently plan to hold 4 regional events and 1 virtual event as follows: Llandudno, Shrewsbury, Pontypridd and Carmarthen. Please be advised if registration to attend these events is low, then the event may be cancelled and operators encouraged to attend the virtual session.
TfW are being supported by Business Wales, who will manage the operator event registration process. How to register for these events will be posted on the Business Wales website (events page) in the coming days and may be found on the following links wales.business-events.org.uk ↗ or wales.business-events.org.uk/cy/ ↗
The events will be held between the 4th - 13th February, and subject to capacity, TfW may hold further 121 sessions if operators express an interest. All market engagement events will be concluded by the 27th February.
If there are any specific topics relating to the Rail Replacement Service you would like to see covered during these events, please email [email protected]
Please note the target audience for these events is operators of bus, coach and minibus etc. Rail Replacement services supported by Taxi operators is not part of the scope of this particular exercise.
All events will cover the same content, hence only one event need be attended per operator.
- Next notice expected197 days ago6 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published176 days ago27 Apr 2026, 17:56 BST
- Clarification questions by141 days ago1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends133 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown10 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by96 days ago16 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts89 days ago24 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent75 days ago7 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published72 days ago10 Aug 2026, 10:48 BST
- Standstill ends62 days ago19 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice history
12 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 9 Jan 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published9 Jan 2026, 17:25 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published27 Apr 2026, 17:56 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £81,008,61627 Apr 2026, 17:56 BSTwas £71,576,858
- Status changed to active27 Apr 2026, 17:56 BST
- Procurement method changed27 Apr 2026, 17:56 BST
- Deadline published: 27 May 2026, 12:00 BST27 Apr 2026, 17:56 BST
- Tender notice published22 May 2026, 18:10 BSTUK4
- Deadline moved to 10 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST22 May 2026, 18:10 BST+14 days · was 27 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Contract award notice published10 Aug 2026, 10:48 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete10 Aug 2026, 10:48 BST
- Contract signature expected21 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract signature expected25 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
Extension of dates for bidders to submit clarification questions and tender closing date for submission of bids. New closing date for tender queries is 23:45 01/06/26. New closing date for tender responses is 12:00 10/06/26.
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-01: 1 release · 9 Jan 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)1 award | |||
| Bysiau Cwm Taf Valley Coaches LtdSME, CYMRU COACHES LIMITEDSME, DAVIES COACHES LTDSME, Edwards Coaches LtdSME, PEYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDSME, Stagecoach Service Ltd +47 moreRail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators (Lot 1)25 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2034Options: Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles. Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services. Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services. Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include: Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate. | £28,353,016 | 7 Aug 2026standstill to 19 Aug 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 2 · Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned1 award | |||
| Bysiau Cwm Taf Valley Coaches LtdSME, CYMRU COACHES LIMITEDSME, DAVIES COACHES LTDSME, Edwards Coaches LtdSME, PEYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDSME, Stagecoach Service Ltd +47 moreRail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators (Lot 2)25 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2034Options: Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles. Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services. Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services. Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include: Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate | £40,504,308 | 7 Aug 2026standstill to 19 Aug 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 3 · Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days)1 award | |||
| Bysiau Cwm Taf Valley Coaches LtdSME, CYMRU COACHES LIMITEDSME, DAVIES COACHES LTDSME, Edwards Coaches LtdSME, PEYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDSME, Stagecoach Service Ltd +47 moreRail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators (Lot 3)25 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2034Options: Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles. Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services. Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services. Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include: Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate | £12,151,292 | 7 Aug 2026standstill to 19 Aug 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours) | 63final-stage tenders | 63 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned | 62final-stage tenders | 62 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days) | 62final-stage tenders | 62 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Transport for Wales Contracting authorityPublic undertakingWelsh devolved regulations apply
Framework contractors & participating bidders
53 commercial parties on the notice · 50 awardedThe first 50 of 53 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.
- A C Jenkins LTDFramework contractor
- AA minibus travels T/A Brit CoachesFramework contractor
- BAM Travel LTDFramework contractor
- Buchanans CoachesFramework contractor
- Bysiau Cwm Taf Valley CoachesFramework contractor
- Caelloi MotorsFramework contractor
- Carmel Driving School and Travel LtdFramework contractor
- Coastal Liner LtdFramework contractor
- Cresta CoachesFramework contractor
- Cymru Coaches LTDFramework contractor
Show 40 more suppliers
- Davies Coaches LTDFramework contractor
- EDWARDS COACHES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Easy BusFramework contractor
- Eifions CoachesFramework contractor
- FIRST CALL TRAVEL LTDFramework contractor
- FRANCIS MINI TRAVEL LTDFramework contractor
- Forge Travel LtdFramework contractor
- G&S TravelFramework contractor
- GMbuses S&DFramework contractor
- Go Goodwins Clwyd LtdFramework contractor
- Gower Mini TravelFramework contractor
- Hidden AngleseyFramework contractor
- J Davies Travel LtdFramework contractor
- JENSON TRAVELFramework contractor
- Keane's CoachesFramework contractor
- Keepings International LtdFramework contractor
- Lakeside Coaches LtdFramework contractor
- Llew Jones LtdFramework contractor
- Lloyds Coaches Framework contractor
- Longmynd TravelFramework contractor
- M Hayward & Daughter (South Wales) LtdFramework contractor
- Mid Wales Motorways (1963) LtdFramework contractor
- N N Cresswell Coach HireFramework contractor
- New Adventure Travel LimitedFramework contractor
- Newport TransportFramework contractor
- P&O LloydFramework contractor
- PEYTON TRAVEL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Pats CoachesFramework contractor
- Ramel Hamilton ta Replacement Bus HireFramework contractor
- Regional Transport LtdFramework contractor
- Rhiew Valley Motors LtdFramework contractor
- Ridgways Coaches LimitedFramework contractor
- SLINE TRAVEL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- South Wales Transport LtdFramework contractor
- Stagecoach Services LimitedFramework contractor
- Star Coach Travel LtdFramework contractor
- Teulu Travel LimitedFramework contractor
- Thomas of RhonddaFramework contractor
- Varteg Motors Ltd T/A Phil Anslow CoachesFramework contractor
- Voel Coaches LtdFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (9)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Technical specifications As described in the ITT pack.
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: All documents will be released at the same time the tender notice is published. If additional documents are identified as being needed, these will be made available via the nominated e-procurement portal - Atamis.
- Bidding documents and specifications All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal. Additional tender support for SME's in Wales is available by contacting the Business Wales Tender Support Service on 03000 6 03000 Further details are available on the…
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award 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
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender