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Bus Franchising - Farnworth Small Franchise

Transport for Greater Manchester

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

23 May 2025 at 15:01

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

15 May 2025 at 15:37

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

15 May 2025 at 15:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is currently planning a procurement process to secure an operator for the Farnworth Small Franchise bus services in Greater Manchester. This tender falls under the public road transport services industry category and seeks to involve a Peak Vehicle Requirement of 7 buses. The procurement is managed through the Pro-Contract portal, with the key milestone of the Market Engagement Webinar set for 4th June 2025 and the expression of interest deadline by 11th August 2025. The procurement process, governed under the UK Procurement Act 2023, is in the planning stage, with the contract period projected to start on 7th March 2027 and potentially extend until 27th September 2032.

This tender offers significant opportunities for growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) well-versed in public road transport services and the provision of bus operations. Companies able to demonstrate technical accuracy and competitive pricing will be of particular interest, given the award criteria emphasising these elements. With a gross contract value of £15,428,400, this competitive flexible procedure opens avenues for businesses to establish themselves within the Greater Manchester transit system. Participating firms will benefit from engaging in a substantial local government initiative, contributing to long-term public transportation developments and gaining potential for contract renewal post-2030. Businesses must prepare for the supplier Procurement Specific Questionnaire to qualify for further tender stages, highlighting their capability to meet TfGM's service requirements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Franchising - Farnworth 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 Farnworth Small Franchise from March 2027, with an estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 7. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0514c8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026637-2025
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
£12,857,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£12,857,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 May 20251 years 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Transport for Greater Manchester
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 3BG
Postcode Area
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)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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