Official UK procurement notice
Schools Bus Franchises · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Local council)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought23 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionIn accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus
Services Act 2017) and having followed the legislative procedure set out within the same,
the Mayor of Greater Manchester decided on 25th March 2021 to introduce a bus
franchising scheme for the entire Greater Manchester Combined Authority ('GMCA') area.
As the executive body with responsibility for various transport functions on behalf of the
GMCA, TfGM is responsible for various functions associated with the implementation and
operation of the franchising scheme, including but not limited to undertaking and managing
the procurement process for the school service franchises.
The GMCA will be the contracting entity and the bus franchising scheme will be overseen and
managed by Transport for Greater Manchester ('TfGM'), including the procurement of
Schools Bus Franchises services, on behalf of the GMCA.
The procurement of Schools Bus Franchises packages will take place in three tranches which
will align with the three franchises in which Large and Small franchises are being procured.
These franchises will not all be introduced simultaneously, due to various transitional and
implementation issues that will need to be addressed. The School Bus Franchises will be
tendered in three Franchise Tranches determined by geographical area, as follows:
(i) The first Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bolton, Salford and Wigan), is
expected to contain 23 schools only franchises;
Page 4 to 43
(ii) The second Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bury, Rochdale, North
Manchester and Oldham) is expected to contain 6 schools only franchises; and
(iii) The third Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Tameside, Stockport, South
Manchester and Trafford) is expected to contain around 25 schools only franchises.
TfGM requires schools services to commence on the first day of the 2023/24 academic year
(the actual date will be confirmed and may vary depending on the school served), which is
before the period that local service contracts can be awarded under TfGM’s delegated
powers from GMCA under section 123A of the Transport Act 2000. Due to this, the
successful Tenderer for each package will also be contracted by TfGM under TfGM’s
delegated powers under section 9A of the Transport Act 1968 (and the Manchester City
Council Report for Resolution following the Greater Manchester Combined Authority
(Functions and Amendments) Order 2019 No. 793) and sections 89-92 of the Transport Act
1985 as a secured service contract for the period from 1 September 2023 to 17 September
2023 (under the same franchise agreement) and GMCA intends to issue service permits for
such services to the extent required to operate such services within the area of the
Franchising Scheme prior to such contracts being local service contracts.
Schools Bus Franchises Key Principles
The key elements of the commercial approach to franchising in Greater Manchester are
summarised below.
Depots: Operators will be required to provide their own depot facilities.
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): TfGM will procure contracts for the supply and
maintenance of some aspects of the required ITS solution (such as vehicle location, ticketing
and driver communications systems) to ensure a standardised approach.
The scope of this procurement is to procure contracts under each of the 23 lots (each of
which relates to a franchise school package in Tranche 1) based on the schools served,
ranging in size from 1 to 13 Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR).
CPV: Motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons · Other passenger cars · Public road transport services
Lots and requirements (23)Procurement structure
23 lots · all with a published value (£24,271,740 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Package A – Co-op Academy-Canon Slade HSAwardedRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 1 is referred to as 'Package A - Co-op Academy-Canon Slade'. Within the package there is
a Peak Vehicle Requirement of 1 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's
own vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the
contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #2Package B – East SalfordCancelledRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 2 is referred to as 'Package B - East Salford'. Within the package there is a Peak Vehicle
requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own vehicles. The
estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months)
which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #3Package C – Salford YSBsCancelledRenewalPublished value£774,630
Lot 3 is referred to as 'Package C - Salford YSB Package'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 4 and the services should be operated using a TfGM owned vehicle,
which will be leased to the successful tenderer. The estimated value of the contract
indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus
renewals.
Lot #4Package D – Wigan CollegesCancelledRenewalPublished value£2,323,890
Lot 4 is referred to as 'Package D - Wigan Colleges'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 10 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #5Package E – BuryCancelledRenewalPublished value£1,549,260
Lot 5 is referred to as 'Package E - Bury'. Within the package there is a Peak Vehicle
requirement of 6 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own vehicles. The
estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months)
which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #6Package F – Bury YSBsCancelledRenewalPublished value£258,210
Lot 6 is referred to as'Package F - Bury YSB package'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 1 and the services should be operated using a TfGM owned vehicle,
which will be leased to the successful tenderer. The estimated value of the contract
indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus
renewals.
Lot #7Package G – Canon Slade HSCancelledRenewalPublished value£3,356,730
Lot 7 is referred to as 'Package G - Canon Slade'. Within the package there is a Peak Vehicle
requirement of 12 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own vehicles.
The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract (60
months) which is the initial term plus renewals
Lot #8Package H – North Bolton Smithills - Sharples HSCancelledRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 8 is referred to as 'Package H - North Bolton Smithills - Sharples'. Within the package
there is a Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the
tenderer's own vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of
the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #9Package I – North Bolton ThornleighCancelledRenewalPublished value£2,582,100
Lot 9 is referred to as 'Package I - North Bolton Thornleigh'. Within the package there is a
Peak Vehicle requirement of 9 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's
own vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the
contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #10Package J – North Bolton YSBsAwardedRenewalPublished value£774,630
Lot 10 is referred to as 'Package J - North Bolton YSB Package'. Within the package there is a
Peak Vehicle requirement of 4 and the services should be operated using a TfGM owned
vehicle, which will be leased to the successful tenderer. The estimated value of the contract
indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus
renewals.
Lot #11Package K – Ashton SchoolsAwardedRenewalPublished value£2,065,680
Lot 11 is referred to as 'Package K - Ashton Schools'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 8 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #12Package L – HindleyAwardedRenewalPublished value£258,210
Lot 12 is referred to as 'Package L - Hindley'. Within the package there is a Peak Vehicle
requirement of 1 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own vehicles. The
estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months)
which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #13Package M – South BoltonAwardedRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 13 is referred to as 'Package M - South Bolton MSJ-St James-Little Lever'. Within the
package there is a Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using
the tenderer's own vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full
term of the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #14Package N – South Bolton YSBsAwardedRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 14 is referred to as 'Package N - South Bolton YSB Package'. Within the package there is
a Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using a TfGM owned
vehicle, which will be leased to the successful tenderer. The estimated value of the contract
indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus
renewals.
Lot #15Package O – North West WiganAwardedRenewalPublished value£3,098,520
Lot 15 is referred to as 'Package O - North West Wigan'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 12 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #16Package P – Cross Boundary Lowton - HopeAwardedRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 16 is referred to as 'Package P - Cross Boundary Lowton-Hope'. Within the package there
is a Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's
own vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the
contract (60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #17Package Q – East Leigh Bedford HSAwardedRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 17 is referred to as 'Package Q - East Leigh Bedford HS'. Within the package there is a
Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #18Package R – East Leigh St Marys HSAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,807,470
Lot 18 is referred to as 'Package R - East Leigh St Mary's HR'. Within the package there is a
Peak Vehicle requirement of 7 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #19Package S – Turton HSCancelledRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 19 is referred to as 'Package S - Turton HS'. Within the package there is a Peak Vehicle
requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own vehicles. The
estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract (60 months)
which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #20Package T – Westhoughton HSCancelledRenewalPublished value£258,210
Lot 20 is referred to as 'Package T - Westhoughton HS'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 1 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #21Package U - St Catherine'sCancelledRenewalPublished value£258,210
Lot 21 is referred to as 'Package U - St Catherine's'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 1 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals
Lot #22Package V – St Peter’s - St John FisherCancelledRenewalPublished value£516,420
Lot 22 is referred to as 'Package V - St Peter's-St John Fisher'. Within the package there is a
Peak Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
Lot #23Package W – Hawkley HallCancelledRenewalPublished value£258,210
Lot 23 is referred to as 'Package W - Hawkley Hall'. Within the package there is a Peak
Vehicle requirement of 2 and the services should be operated using the tenderer's own
vehicles. The estimated value of the contract indicated covers the full term of the contract
(60 months) which is the initial term plus renewals.
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 award criteria (3)
- Quality: 55
- Social value: 5
- Price: 40
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- 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 · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Restricted procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 6 Sept 2022, 19:58 BST
- Last source update
- 5 Jul 2023, 11:23 BST
- Authority reference
DN627272- FTS notice number
2023/S 000-019120- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-03665cFind a Tender
- Performance terms
Transport for Greater Manchester's particular conditions are set out in the tender documentation made available via Pro-contract.
- Review procedure
TfGM will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to receive further debriefing from the contracting authority before the contract is entered into. Applicants who are unsuccessful shall be informed by TfGM as soon as possible after the decision has been made as to the reasons why the applicant was unsuccessful. Should additional information be required it should be requested of the addressee in section I.1.
If an appeal regarding the award of the contract has not been successfully resolved, Utilities Contract Regulations 2016 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by breach of the rules to take action in the High Court. Any such action must be brought promptly (generally within 30 days). If a declaration of ineffectiveness is sought, any such action must be brought within 30 days where TfGM has communicated the award of the contract and a summary of reasons to tenderers, or otherwise within 6 months. Where a contract has not been entered into, the Court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the Court may, depending on the circumstances, award damages, make a declaration of ineffectiveness, order TfGM to pay a fine, and/or order that the duration of the contract be shortened. The purpose of the standstill period referred to above is to allow the parties to apply to the Courts to set aside the award decision before the contract is entered into.
Publisher note: • Please note the return date and time – 6/10/2022 at 12 Noon is the final date for submission of the completed Selection Questionnaire, • This Procurement process will be conducted through the ProContract e-tendering portal and any submission made outside of this portal will be disqualified, • All communications, including tender submission must be written in English, • Nothing in this procurement process is intended to form any express or implied contractual relationship between parties unless and until the award of a contract is concluded, • Any contract entered into as a result of this procurement will be considered to be a contract governed by English Law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales, • TfGM is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses (including third party costs, fees or expenses) incurred by those expressing an interest in, negotiating or tendering for this contract opportunity, • TfGM reserves the right to terminate this procurement process or to amend or vary the process at any time prior to the conclusion of the award of contract without liability to any party.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 6 Oct 2022, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bid validity
- 180 days from the deadline
Timeline
6 Oct 2022 → 5 Jul 2023 · 3 dates- Submission deadline6 Oct 2022, 12:00 BST
- Invitations to tender expected31 Oct 2022
- Notice published5 Jul 2023, 11:23 BST
Notice history
2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 5 Jul 2023- Status changed to complete5 Jul 2023, 11:23 BST
- Buyer details updated5 Jul 2023, 11:23 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Package A – Co-op Academy-Canon Slade HS1 award | |||
| Vision | £358,519 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 10 · Package J – North Bolton YSBs1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £1,276,234 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 11 · Package K – Ashton Schools1 award | |||
| Vision Bus LtdSME | £2,881,556 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 12 · Package L – Hindley1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £363,896 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 13 · Package M – South Bolton1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £803,683 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 14 · Package N – South Bolton YSBs1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £636,909 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 15 · Package O – North West Wigan1 award | |||
| Vision Bus LtdSME | £4,294,054 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 16 · Package P – Cross Boundary Lowton - Hope1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £642,901 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 17 · Package Q – East Leigh Bedford HS1 award | |||
| Greater Manchester Buses South Limited | £803,154 † | — | Awarded |
| Lot 18 · Package R – East Leigh St Marys HS1 award | |||
| Vision Bus LtdSME | £2,570,945 † | — | Awarded |
13 further award records carry no date or value.
Contracts
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-1 · Vision
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £358,519
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-10 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £1,276,234
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-11 · Vision Bus LtdSME
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £2,881,556
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-12 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £363,896
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-13 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £803,683
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-14 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £636,909
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-15 · Vision Bus LtdSME
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £4,294,054
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-16 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £642,901
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-17 · Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £803,154
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-18 · Vision Bus LtdSME
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £2,570,945
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-19
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £724,502
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-2
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £839,144
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-20
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £418,778
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-21
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £417,106
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-22
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £844,836
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-23
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £827,890
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-3
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £1,268,606
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-4
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £4,163,656
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-5
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £2,417,974
- Status
- active
Contract 019120-2023-DN627272-6
- Signed
- 12 Apr 2023
- Value
- £319,526
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Package A – Co-op Academy-Canon Slade HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 2 · Package B – East Salford | 4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 3 · Package C – Salford YSBs | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 4 · Package D – Wigan Colleges | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
| 5 · Package E – Bury | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 6 · Package F – Bury YSBs | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 7 · Package G – Canon Slade HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 8 · Package H – North Bolton Smithills - Sharples HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 9 · Package I – North Bolton Thornleigh | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 10 · Package J – North Bolton YSBs | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 11 · Package K – Ashton Schools | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
| 12 · Package L – Hindley | 4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad | 3 | — | — |
| 13 · Package M – South Bolton | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 14 · Package N – South Bolton YSBs | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
| 15 · Package O – North West Wigan | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 16 · Package P – Cross Boundary Lowton - Hope | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 17 · Package Q – East Leigh Bedford HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 18 · Package R – East Leigh St Marys HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 19 · Package S – Turton HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 20 · Package T – Westhoughton HS | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 21 · Package U - St Catherine's | 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 2 | — | — |
| 22 · Package V – St Peter’s - St John Fisher | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
| 23 · Package W – Hawkley Hall | 2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeDispute resolution & review bodies
- Transport for Greater ManchesterReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
5 commercial parties on the notice- Greater Manchester Buses South LimitedAwarded supplier
- Greater Manchester Buses South LimitedAwarded supplier
- Greater Manchester Buses South LimitedAwarded supplier
- VisionAwarded supplier
- Vision Bus LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria