Award

PL0093 - Project THRIVE

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

19 Aug 2025 at 09:53

Tender

13 Jan 2025 at 12:04

TenderUpdate

13 Dec 2024 at 16:56

Planning

08 Nov 2024 at 15:58

Summary of the contracting process

Project THRIVE, initiated by Essex County Council, delves into various initiatives to boost bus service patronage. Funded by the Department for Transport's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus, this procurement falls under the service industry category of public road transport. The process, using an open procedure, was completed, and, as of August 2025, First Essex Buses Limited was awarded contracts for 'Route Specific Marketing' and 'Better Information'. The initiative aims to drive passenger growth in the UKH3 region through targeted bus marketing and enhanced information services, with contracts signed in June 2025.

This tender offers ample opportunities for businesses involved in public transport, digital marketing, and community services. Companies that specialise in route-specific transportation marketing, digital promotions, or have vast experience in improving public transport information systems would be well-suited to engage in such procurements. By executing strategic and advanced marketing techniques, successful bidders can enhance their portfolio and contribute to regional public transport enhancements.

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Notice Title

PL0093 - Project THRIVE

Notice Description

Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services. Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated PS4.9m in 2023/24 and PS4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan. The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth. ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) : 3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they - and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) - believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue. 3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures. 3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services). ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds. Please Note - Due to the nature of the funding we are unable to provide an estimate of the value per Lot.

Lot Information

Route Specific Marketing

Lot 1 - Route Specific Marketing Targeted, route specific traditional marketing campaign, including route specific advertising, leaflet dropping and involvement of local councils to assist promotion (e.g. assist with promotion at transport hubs, tourist centres, etc).

Digital Only Promotion

Lot 2 - Digital Only Promotion Digital and social media only promotion / marketing Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot.

Better Information

Lot 3 - Better Information Better information at every bus stop , through parishes, bus user groups, businesses, schools, clubs and communities.

Increased Frequency

Lot 4 - Increased Frequency Such as running the service every 30 minutes instead of hourly. Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049746-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£257,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Feb 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
17 Mar 2025Expired
Award Date
19 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Mr Ryan Morley
Contact Email
ryan.morley@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 333

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
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRST ESSEX BUSES

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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