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Dorset Learning Centre Transport

DORSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Jul 2026 at 15:43

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council has completed a procurement process for the provision of transport services to several learning centres in Dorset, United Kingdom. The process concluded with an award on 8th July 2026, following a selective procedure under a restricted method. The procurement was divided into four Lots, each corresponding to a learning centre, including the Dorchester Learning Centre, The Forum Centre in Blandford, The Orchard, and Harbour Vale Learning Centre in Sherborne. The awarded contract, valued at £7,020,000, is set to commence on 1st September 2026 and will run until the end of August 2028. This procurement focused on road transport services within the South West region and emphasised the need for flexible transport solutions both during and outside of standard school hours, accommodating additional activities and changes in transport needs.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) experienced in the transport sector. Given its division into multiple Lots, the tender allowed for flexibility in participation, enabling companies to pursue contracts for one or multiple centres. This structure offers a chance for smaller operators, like local taxi services, to secure a foothold in government contracting while also being suitable for larger enterprises capable of managing more comprehensive transport operations. Additionally, the focus on flexible and dynamic transport solutions aligns with businesses that can adapt swiftly to changes, enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery. Successful bidders included SMEs such as P&D Contracts (Weymouth) Ltd and M&J Taxis, as well as a larger operator, 24x7 Ltd, indicating the diversity of business types that this tender can accommodate.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Dorset Learning Centre Transport

Notice Description

Dorset Council has gone out to tender to procure a transport service for the following Learning Centres * Dorchester Learning Centre, based in Dorchester * The Forum Centre, based in Blandford * The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision), based in Lytchett Minster * Harbour Vale Learning Centre, based in Sherborne The core requirement is for the provision of home to school transport at standard bell times. In addition, there will be a requirement to provide transport outside of normal school hours to off-site provisions such sports events and work experience, as well as offering flexible responses to changes including cancellations and additional journeys. Pupils attending Learning Centres may be located all over the county, as the centre they attend is largely determined by availability of places at the time. We are seeking experienced operators to organise, plan and operate transport as per the requirements of the individual Learning Centre. The procurement was divided into four Lots, with each Lot corresponding to one Learning Centre: * Lot 1: Dorchester Learning Centre * Lot 2: The Forum Centre * Lot 3: The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision) * Lot 4: Harbour Vale Learning Centre Tenderers could tender for one, multiple or all Lots. Each Lot was evaluated separately. This further competition procurement process was run through the Passenger Transport DPS.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-99a6f162-b093-43b9-b56d-90f9ef9814b4
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fc9aed48-fdd1-40cb-abbe-f0d2114c648d
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,020,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£7,020,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jul 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DORSET COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Post Town
Dorchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

24X7

M&J TAXIS

P&D CONTRACTS (WEYMOUTH

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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