Planning

Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise

TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

23 May 2025 at 13:58

Planning

15 May 2025 at 14:34

Planning

15 May 2025 at 14:17

Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise". The process is focused on the provision of bus passenger services under the category of public road transport services. The procurement involves a competitive flexible procedure, with the formal tender notice expected to be sent on 7th July 2025. The contract is anticipated to begin on 7th March 2027 and run initially until 27th September 2030, with possibilities for renewal. The total estimated contract value is £38,571,000, with a gross amount of £46,285,200. Key dates include a market engagement webinar scheduled for 4th June 2025 and the deadline for expressions of interest by 11th August 2025. The location is within the United Kingdom, specifically addressing services in the Bolton area of Greater Manchester.

This tender provides significant opportunities for business growth, especially for SMEs in the transport sector, as TfGM encourages small and medium enterprises to participate. With a procurement process tailored to select a capable operator through a series of stages, businesses with expertise in public transport operations, and those adept at meeting procurement-specific qualifications, will find this opportunity suitable. The proactive engagement and procedural clarity offered by TfGM through market engagements and information sessions can provide businesses with the chance to build robust relationships and showcase their capabilities in delivering high-quality public transport services. Participating companies will also benefit from TfGM’s structured support and guidance throughout this competitive tendering process.

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Notice Title

Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise

Notice Description

Following the implementation of bus franchising across Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), is seeking an Operator to provide bus passenger services for the Bolton Small Franchise from March 2027, with an estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 21. Note the scope, figures, dates, and contract or framework durations included in this Notice are provisional only, and are subject to funding approvals and governance approvals, and may be subject to change as the requirement developments. TfGM reserves the right to vary or cancel this notice at any point as the project develops. TfGM use the e-tendering portal Pro-Contract to manage high value procurement activity. Details on how to register can be found at https://procontract.due-north.com/register

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total)

Planning Information

Operators will be invited to attend an online Market Engagement Webinar whereby TfGM will provide an overview of the franchise requirements and the procurement process. Operators wishing to attend this Webinar should provide the name(s), position and email addresses of attendees by the 27th May 2025 12.00 noon. Please note this will not be interactive, however, the webinar will be recorded and the recording will be made available via the ProContract portal. Following the Market Engagement Webinar, TfGM will issue a short questionnaire requesting feedback from potential bidders alongside the recording of the Market Engagement session. Deadline for responses will be 11th June 2025. Should operators have any queries, please raise a clarification question via ProContract messaging service by 9th June 2025. TfGM will respond to all Market Engagement questions by the 23rd June 2025. TfGM intends to send the Tender notice on the 7th July 2025. There will be a supplier Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) process in order to get through to final tender submission. This will be explained in the Market Engagement Webinar.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026618-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£38,571,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£38,571,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Mar 2027 - 27 Sep 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
Contact Name
Kirk Boulton
Contact Email
procurement@tfgm.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 3BG
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England), TLD3 Greater Manchester

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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