Planning

Public Bus Services

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

10 Mar 2025 at 16:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Surrey County Council is spearheading the procurement of public bus services, classified under 'Road transport services' (CPV: 60100000), in the South East of England, encompassing regions such as Reigate and Chichester. This procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with the aim of re-securing socially necessary bus routes that are sustainable, safe, and reliable. In collaboration with Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, and West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council plans to reprocure these services under the new Procurement Act 2023. A virtual market engagement session is scheduled for 20th March 2025 to provide thorough information on the current services, future plans, and procurement timeline. Interested parties should register their attendance by 18th March 2025.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in road transport services, particularly those focused on sustainability and social value. The proposed framework agreement caters to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to compete effectively and secure long-term contracts, running from December 2025 to November 2033. Companies with expertise in providing essential local bus services, which facilitate access to employment, education, and medical appointments, will find this tender particularly relevant. The engagement event offers a platform to understand the requirements under PA 2023, thus enabling providers to align their offerings with legal and policy standards, setting a solid foundation for business growth in this sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Public Bus Services

Notice Description

Surrey County Council is committed to sourcing sustainable, safe, secure, and reliable local bus routes that are socially necessary, as defined by the Transport Acts 1985 and 2000. Since the deregulation of bus services in 1986, the responsibility for providing local bus services has primarily rested with the commercial sector. However, bus operators typically offer only commercially viable services. When services are deemed socially necessary by a Local Authority (LA) and require funding support, it becomes the LA's obligation to secure such services through a tendering process. Socially necessary bus routes funded by Surrey County Council serve communities across Surrey, providing essential services that enable residents to access employment, education, essential shopping, reduce social isolation, and attend routine medical appointments.

Planning Information

Current Public Bus Service DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System) is due to expire on 31st January 2026. Surrey County Council, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council, is planning to reprocure the service under new Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). With this in mind, we would like to invite current and potential providers to take part in our virtual market engagement session. The purpose of this event will be to: -Provide information on current services and share future plans -Share a high-level indicative procurement timeline -Guide operators to resources for understanding the requirements under PA 2023 and their implications -Outline policy requirements during tender process (Social Value, Sustainability and Modern Slavery) -Answer questions and gather feedback. Registration details: Providers wishing to attend should reply via the Proactis portal (https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login) under the project "AW SCC Public Bus Service re-procurement Market Engagement" (RFX1000725) or via email to ania.wroblewska@surreycc.gov.uk by 16.00 on 18th March 2025. The event will be held on 20th March 2025. This event will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams. If you wish to attend, please reply by providing following information: • Name of attendee(s) • Job title of attendee(s) • Organisation details, including address and contact details. Please note that attendance will be limited to 3 attendees per organisation. We will be providing more information, including the session agenda and meeting invites on or after 18th March 2025. We look forward to receiving your response and hearing your thoughts and ideas at the event. An expression of interest in attending this Market Engagement Event does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tender process, nor does it confer any preferential status on those Providers who attend. Participation in this event will not automatically grant eligibility to engage in any subsequent procurement exercise. Any procurement resulting from this event will be publicly advertised in accordance with legal requirements, and all organisations wishing to participate will need to submit a response to the advertisement once it is published. Providers who do not attend this Market Engagement Event will still be able to apply for the procurement in the future.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04eb3b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008611-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Mar 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2025 - 30 Nov 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
bsdprocurement@westsussex.gov.uk, procurementpmo@eastsussex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
REIGATE
Postcode
RH2 8EF
Post Town
Redhill
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Local Authority
Chichester
Electoral Ward
Chichester Central
Westminster Constituency
Chichester

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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