BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services on Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8

{
  "id": "038563-2026",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "date": "2026-04-28T13:24:54+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
    "name": "Portsmouth City Council"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "relatedLot": "1",
          "deliveryAddresses": [
            {
              "region": "UKJ31",
              "country": "GB",
              "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            }
          ],
          "additionalClassifications": [
            {
              "id": "60112000",
              "scheme": "CPV",
              "description": "Public road transport services"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
          "name": "FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LIMITED"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
        "1"
      ],
      "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "complete",
        "description": null
      }
    ],
    "title": "BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services on Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8",
    "status": "complete",
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The contracting authority has awarded a contract for the provision of supported local bus services funded through the Department for Transport's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).\nThe contract covers the operation of supported and enhanced bus services on existing local bus routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, where services are not commercially viable without public subsidy.  \nThe services are intended to maintain and improve network coverage, accessibility and service availability in accordance with the authority's adopted Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership objectives.\nThe services comprise the scheduled operation of registered local bus services, including defined journeys, frequencies and timetables on the specified routes. Services are delivered as part of, and fully integrated with, the operator's wider commercial bus network to ensure continuity for passengers, effective interchange and consistent ticketing arrangements.\nThe contract has a total value of £236,482.32 (excluding VAT), representing the approved BSIP revenue subsidy for the provision of these supported services for the contract period 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026. The subsidy is paid in return for delivery of the agreed service specification and is limited to the approved BSIP funding.\nThe services are delivered by the operator using its own vehicles, staff and operational systems, and in compliance with all statutory requirements applicable to local bus services, including vehicle standards, driver provision, punctuality and reliability, passenger information and Enhanced Partnership aligned ticketing arrangements. No commitment is made beyond the approved contract term.",
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "An award to an alternative operator could not be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability with existing routes and services due to the need for the additional services to tie in with existing commercial network arrangements, which the council has limited control over, mitigates a challenge to the council.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
      }
    ]
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
      "name": "Portsmouth City Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ31",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Portsmouth",
        "postalCode": "PO1 2AL",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Civic Offices, Guildhall Square"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCNL-5714-PRZV",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
      "name": "FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ35",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Fareham",
        "postalCode": "PO16 0ST",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Hoeford"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.firstbus.co.uk",
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "large",
        "shelteredWorkshop": false,
        "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "01999120",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "peter.matthews@firstbus.co.uk"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PYVY-3373-XWGH",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "contracts": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "value": {
        "amount": 236482.32,
        "currency": "GBP",
        "amountGross": 283778.78
      },
      "period": {
        "endDate": "2026-12-31T23:59:59Z",
        "startDate": "2026-04-17T00:00:00+01:00"
      },
      "status": "active",
      "awardID": "1",
      "documents": [
        {
          "id": "038563-2026",
          "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038563-2026",
          "format": "text/html",
          "noticeType": "UK7",
          "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
          "documentType": "contractNotice",
          "datePublished": "2026-04-28T13:24:54+01:00"
        }
      ],
      "dateSigned": "2026-04-17T00:00:00+01:00",
      "statusDetails": null,
      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "noAgreedMetricsRationale": "The Council is under no obligation to publish KPI's for contracts under £5M."
    }
  ],
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "026502-2026",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "date": "2026-03-23T17:38:03Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
    "name": "Portsmouth City Council"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "date": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "relatedLot": "1",
          "deliveryAddresses": [
            {
              "region": "UKJ31",
              "country": "GB",
              "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            }
          ],
          "additionalClassifications": [
            {
              "id": "60112000",
              "scheme": "CPV",
              "description": "Public road transport services"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "title": "BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services (Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8)",
      "value": {
        "amount": 236482.32,
        "currency": "GBP",
        "amountGross": 283778.78
      },
      "status": "pending",
      "documents": [
        {
          "id": "026502-2026",
          "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026502-2026",
          "format": "text/html",
          "noticeType": "UK6",
          "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
          "documentType": "awardNotice",
          "datePublished": "2026-03-23T17:38:03Z"
        }
      ],
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
          "name": "First Hampshire & Dorset Limited"
        }
      ],
      "milestones": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "type": "futureSignatureDate",
          "status": "scheduled",
          "dueDate": "2026-04-03T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
        "1"
      ],
      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "contractPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2026-12-31T23:59:59Z",
        "startDate": "2026-04-03T00:00:00+01:00"
      },
      "standstillPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2026-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
      },
      "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "complete"
      }
    ],
    "title": "BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services on Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8",
    "status": "complete",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The contract is for the provision of additional early morning weekday journeys and weekend late evening journeys on core bus routes within the Portsmouth City Council area.\nThe services supplement existing commercial bus services on routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 and are funded by the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). For the period 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026.\nThe additional journeys are designed to integrate directly with the incumbent operator's existing commercial network, including route alignment, timetable integration and ticketing arrangements, in order to improve access to employment and support the night time economy.\nThis contract is awarded in accordance with Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, relying on Schedule 5, paragraph 6 - absence of competition for technical reasons.  \nThe additional services must integrate seamlessly with the incumbent operator's existing commercial bus network. Each additional journey operates immediately before or after existing commercial services and, in some cases, only for part of the route.\nThere is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of delivering these services without causing disproportionate technical and economic difficulties, including:\n•\tInability to economically mobilise vehicles and staff for limited early morning and late evening operating windows;\n•\tRequirement for passengers to change vehicles mid route if a different operator were used;\n•\tIncompatibility of ticketing systems, requiring passengers to purchase multiple tickets and preventing use of return or weekly tickets; and\n•\tDuplication of operational and administrative costs for the contracting authority.\nAccordingly, competition is absent for technical and economic reasons and a direct award is justified.\nNotes for clarification:  \nThe Transparency notice indicated the estimated contract dates were 6th April 2026 to 31 December 2026, the actual contract period is for one year, 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026.\nThe Transparency notice also  estimated the standstill period would end on 1st April 2026 and the earliest date the contract would be signed is 6th April. \nAs this award notices is being published on 23rd March 2026 the standstill period will end on 2nd April 2026 and earliest date the contract will be signed is 3rd April 2026.",
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
      "name": "Portsmouth City Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ31",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Portsmouth",
        "postalCode": "PO1 2AL",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Civic Offices, Guildhall Square"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCNL-5714-PRZV",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
      "name": "First Hampshire & Dorset Limited",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ35",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Fareham",
        "postalCode": "PO16 0ST",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Hoeford, Gosport Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "large",
        "shelteredWorkshop": false,
        "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "01999120",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "david.attrill@firstbus.co.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "026358-2026",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "date": "2026-03-23T15:12:50Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
    "name": "Portsmouth City Council"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "relatedLot": "1",
          "deliveryAddresses": [
            {
              "region": "UKJ31",
              "country": "GB",
              "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            }
          ],
          "additionalClassifications": [
            {
              "id": "60112000",
              "scheme": "CPV",
              "description": "Public road transport services"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "title": "BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services (Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8)",
      "value": {
        "amount": 236482.32,
        "currency": "GBP",
        "amountGross": 283778.78
      },
      "status": "pending",
      "documents": [
        {
          "id": "026358-2026",
          "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026358-2026",
          "format": "text/html",
          "noticeType": "UK5",
          "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
          "documentType": "awardNotice",
          "datePublished": "2026-03-23T15:12:50Z"
        }
      ],
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
          "name": "FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LIMITED"
        }
      ],
      "milestones": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "type": "futureSignatureDate",
          "status": "scheduled",
          "dueDate": "2026-04-06T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
        "1"
      ],
      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "contractPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2026-12-31T23:59:59Z",
        "startDate": "2026-04-06T00:00:00+01:00"
      },
      "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06719f",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "complete"
      }
    ],
    "title": "BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services (Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8)",
    "status": "complete",
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The contract relates to the provision of additional early morning weekday journeys and late evening weekend journeys on key bus routes within Portsmouth (Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8).\nThese services supplement existing commercial bus services in order to:\n•\timprove access to employment during early weekday hours; and\n•\tsupport the night time economy through late evening weekend provision.\nThe services are funded by the Department for Transport under the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and are intended to operate for a fixed, time limited period, with the expectation that some services may become commercially viable.",
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "The Council is relying on the absence of competition for technical reasons, as permitted under Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023.\nThe justification is as follows:\n•\tThe additional journeys are designed to integrate directly with existing commercial bus services already operated on the same routes.\n•\tEach funded journey operates only for a short period before or after the existing commercial timetable takes over.\n•\tIt would not be economically viable for an alternative operator to mobilise vehicles and staff for such limited operating windows.\n•\tUse of a different operator would require passengers to purchase multiple tickets and, in some cases, change buses mid route, resulting in a poor user experience, additional cost to passengers, and loss of ticket interoperability.\n•\tTicketing incompatibility (including QR based ticket validation) would prevent seamless onward travel and undermine the objectives of the BSIP funding.\n•\tUse of a second operator would increase costs to the Council due to additional administrative and ticket acceptance arrangements and would risk undermining existing commercial services.\nTaken together, these factors demonstrate that there is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of delivering the services without causing disproportionate technical and economic difficulties.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
      }
    ]
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV",
      "name": "Portsmouth City Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ31",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Portsmouth",
        "postalCode": "PO1 2AL",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Civic Offices, Guildhall Square"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCNL-5714-PRZV",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-01999120",
      "name": "FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ35",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Fareham",
        "postalCode": "PO16 0ST",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Hoeford"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.firstbus.co.uk",
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "large"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "01999120",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "peter.matthews@firstbus.co.uk"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PYVY-3373-XWGH",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}