Award

North and South Bus Service

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

13 Nov 2025 at 16:37

Award

12 Nov 2025 at 19:54

Award

23 Jun 2025 at 11:39

TenderUpdate

15 May 2025 at 16:35

Tender

30 Apr 2025 at 18:05

Planning

12 Mar 2025 at 16:06

Summary of the contracting process

Southend-on-Sea City Council has conducted an open procurement process for the "North and South Bus Service" aimed at enhancing transportation within the administrative boundaries of Southend-on-Sea and part of Essex, including London Southend Airport. The procurement process was completed with the award made on 13th November 2025. The procurement method employed was an "open procedure," classified under the transport services industry category, focusing particularly on public-service buses and road transport services. The contract, valued at £2,123,070.77 including VAT, was awarded to Stephensons of Essex Limited, commencing on 4th August 2025 for an initial term of two years with potential extension options for an additional year.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specializing in transport services, particularly those that are SMEs like Stephensons of Essex Limited, who won the contract. Companies with capabilities in public-service buses and road transport, keen to operate within the Essex region, stand to benefit from similar tender opportunities. The open nature of the procurement method means competitive bidding is encouraged, making it an ideal opportunity for businesses with proven capabilities and a strategic interest in expanding their footprint in municipal public transport services.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

North and South Bus Service

Notice Description

The majority of route is within the administrative boundary of Southend-on-Sea City Council with a short section within the administrative boundary of Essex County Council and within London Southend Airport.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend for a further 12 months

Planning Information

Southend-on-Sea City Council will be holding an online Teams market engagement event for this service before the last working day in March

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ec58
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073706-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services


CPV Codes

34121100 - Public-service buses

60100000 - Road transport services

63712400 - Parking services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£2,049,225 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,769,225 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 2025Expired
Award Date
22 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
3 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2027 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementops@southend.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHEND ON SEA
Postcode
SS2 6FA
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Delivery Location
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea

Local Authority
Southend-on-Sea
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Southend East and Rochford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

MARSTON (HOLDINGS

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04ec58-2025-11-13T16:37:49Z",
    "date": "2025-11-13T16:37:49Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04ec58",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PJDT-6566-GZNX",
            "name": "Southend-on-Sea City Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PJDT-6566-GZNX"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, Essex",
                "locality": "Southend On Sea",
                "postalCode": "ss2 6fa",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurementops@southend.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-01815977",
            "name": "STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "01815977"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PPDN-2856-TWMX"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Monometer House",
                "locality": "Leigh On Sea",
                "postalCode": "SS9 2HN",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sales@stephensonsofessex.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.stephensonsofessex.com",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-04305487",
            "name": "MARSTON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "04305487"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PHZR-5319-ZRXR"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Rutland House 8th Floor",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B3 2JR",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "tenders@marstonholdings.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.marstonholdings.co.uk",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PJDT-6566-GZNX",
        "name": "Southend-on-Sea City Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Southend-on-Sea City Council will be holding an online Teams market engagement event for this service before the last working day in March",
                "dueDate": "2025-04-01T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "009060-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009060-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-12T16:06:55Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "DN773041",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "North and South Bus Service",
        "description": "The majority of route is within the administrative boundary of Southend-on-Sea City Council with a short section within the administrative boundary of Essex County Council and within London Southend Airport.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34121100",
                        "description": "Public-service buses"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "60100000",
                        "description": "Road transport services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH31",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH31",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH31",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-07-03T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2027-08-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2028-09-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 1080000,
                    "amount": 900000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Option to extend for a further 12 months"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-04-02T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "complete",
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1080000,
            "amount": 900000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethodDetails": "The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://procontract.due-north.com Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via https://procontract.due-north.com",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-06-09T15:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-06-20T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "018212-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018212-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-04-30T19:05:20+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "021967-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021967-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-15T17:35:39+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "specialRegime": [
            "concession"
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 6,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 4,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 4,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "North / South Bus Service",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2025-06-23T00:00:00+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 2123070.77,
                "amount": 1769225.64,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-01815977",
                    "name": "STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX LIMITED"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "34121100",
                            "description": "Public-service buses"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "60100000",
                            "description": "Road transport services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKH31",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKH31",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2025-07-02T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-07-03T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2027-08-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2028-09-01T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "One (1) Option for twelve (12) Months."
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "034367-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034367-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-06-23T12:39:24+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2025-06-23T00:00:00+01:00",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2025-07-03T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "2",
            "status": "pending",
            "date": "2025-11-11T00:00:00Z",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 336000,
                "amount": 280000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-04305487",
                    "name": "MARSTON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "63712400",
                            "description": "Parking services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKH31",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2025-11-21T23:59:59+00:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-01-05T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2029-01-04T23:59:59Z",
                "maxExtentDate": "2030-01-04T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "12 months"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "073356-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073356-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-11-12T19:54:52Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2025-11-11T00:00:00Z",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2025-12-07T23:59:59Z",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "title": "North / South Bus Service",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2025-08-04T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2027-08-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2028-09-01T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "12 Months extension"
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 2123070.77,
                "amount": 1769225.64,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "dateSigned": "2025-08-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "073706-2025",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073706-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-11-13T16:37:49Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}