Planning

Inclusive Travel SaaS Product

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Jan 2026 at 15:27

Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is planning a procurement process focused on an "Inclusive Travel SaaS Product" aimed at enhancing accessibility for visually impaired individuals in the East of England, United Kingdom. The procurement is currently at the planning stage, with anticipated procurement through the Crown Commercial Services Spark Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) RM6094 framework scheduled for early February 2026. The project, classified under IT services with a CPV code of 72000000, has a planned budgetary allocation of £150,000 and will span from 16 March 2026 to 15 March 2028. This initiative addresses crucial accessibility needs in public transport and aims to improve digital inclusivity substantially.

This tender presents a considerable opportunity for IT service providers, particularly those specialising in software development and accessibility solutions, to engage with a significant public sector contract. The focus on inclusivity and accessibility technology aligns with the growing market demand for digital solutions that cater to diverse needs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) might find this procurement particularly suitable due to its dynamic purchasing system method, which allows for selective and tailored participation. Businesses looking to innovate within the public transport sector and expand their service offerings can leverage this contract to enhance their profiles and client bases.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Inclusive Travel SaaS Product

Notice Description

For many people, buses represent the most affordable and accessible mode of transport. Those on low or fixed incomes depend on them to access health, education and employment. But for some, there are barriers which make it more difficult to use public transport. These barriers can be physical (for example infrastructure) and access to information (for example timetables or journey planning information). For some groups, such barriers can reduce their travel horizons and lead them to spend more on alternative modes such as a taxi. One such group are the more than two million people living with sight loss in the UK. This number is estimated to double to 4 million people in the next 25 years by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB); with one person every six minutes starting to lose their sight. In this context, and with disabled people reporting up to three times more difficulties when travelling than non-disabled people, the Council has a need to make travel in Essex simpler, more inclusive and accessible for all. With the barriers for disabled people and those with sight loss clearly established in terms of travel, and the importance of digital technology in assisting to remove these barriers, the Council intends to source and implement a new digital tool across its bus infrastructure estate initially. The product will enable visually impaired people to be completely independent in the use of public transport, by means of an accessible digital solution, which enables the user to orient themselves in an unfamiliar environment and obtain accessible, contextualised information. It is proposed this will be via their smartphone device. ECC intend to utilise the Crown Commercial Services Spark Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) RM6094 framework with the intention of procuring through this in early February 2026. To become a supplier on this commercial agreement please use the link below for more details. https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-cceda17b-c466-47ab-a51f-131883716541
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/55ef1d5b-f768-439a-ab3a-d80e7cf3c21e
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jan 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Feb 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Kate Fabricant
Contact Email
kate.fabricant@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
03330136394

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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