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Dorset Learning Centre Transport

Dorset Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

10 Jul 2026 at 16:35

Award Notice
TenderUpdate

19 Feb 2026 at 16:38

Tender Notice
Tender

24 Apr 2025 at 14:43

Tender Notice
Tender

23 Apr 2021 at 14:13

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council recently completed the procurement for the "Dorset Learning Centre Transport" project, a service contract in the road transport services category. The project aimed to provide home to school transport for learning centres across Dorset, including locations in Dorchester, Blandford, Lytchett Minster, and Sherborne. The process, facilitated under a restricted procedure through Dorset's Passenger Transport Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), was divided into four lots, each concerning a different learning centre. Contracts were awarded on 8th July 2026 with significant involvement from local SMEs such as P&D Contracts (Weymouth) Ltd and M&J Taxi, as well as larger firms like 24x7 Ltd.

The Dorset Learning Centre Transport procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the transport sector, particularly those specialising in flexible and responsive transport services. The nature of the contract, which involves regular school runs as well as variable non-school hour services, complements businesses adept at managing logistics across varying schedules. SMEs, such as local taxi companies, demonstrated competitive advantage in the bidding process, suggesting similar businesses might find growth potential through collaborative or solo bids on future lots. The procurement setup, including usage of the DPS, encourages continued supplier engagement and future extensions, offering pathways for sustained business development in the region.

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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.

Lot Information

Lot 1: Dorchester Learning Centre

The provision of home to school transport for Dorchester Learning Centre. 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.

Renewal: Existing DPS's procured under PCR2015 can be extended until February 2029. At this time Dorset Council is extending its existing DPS for a period of up to 2 years (to 31 April 2027) however will have the option to extend the DPS further subject to requirements (up until February 2029). Any further extension of the DPS which may later be determined will be communicated as required.

Lot 2: The Forum Centre

The provision of home to school transport for The Forum Centre. 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.

Lot 3: The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision)

The provision of home to school transport for The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision) 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.

Lot 4: Harbour Vale Learning Centre

The provision of home to school transport for Harbour Vale Learning Centre. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02a99f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065342-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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
£80,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£80,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,747,500 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 Apr 20279 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
Postcode Area
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
TLK25 Dorset
Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

24x7 ltd

M&J Taxi

P&D Contracts (Weymouth) Ltd

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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