Planning

Pre Market Engagement for the reprocurement of the current Public Bus Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

25 Jul 2025 at 13:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 May 2025 at 14:45

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Surrey County Council is leading a collaborative public procurement endeavour to reprocure the existing Public Bus Service Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the new Procurement Act 2023. This initiative involves partnerships with Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, and West Sussex County Council, focusing on securing socially necessary local bus routes across Surrey. The current phase of the process is Planning, with a milestone set for 31st August 2025, aimed at engaging potential and current providers to streamline the bidding process. The procurement falls within the services category, specifically road transport services, with a planned contract period from 1st December 2025 to 30th November 2033.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in public road transport services, including SMEs and VCSEs, to expand their operations by becoming integral service providers within a significant regional transport network. The process is structured as an open procedure, thus welcoming a wide array of competitive bids. Companies with expertise in sustainable and reliable transport solutions are particularly well-suited to vie for this contract, and participating businesses can leverage the Central Digital Platform and Proactis Supplier Network to facilitate their involvement. This initiative not only supports community connectivity but also provides a platform for business growth and resilience in the public transportation sector.

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.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Pre Market Engagement for the reprocurement of the current Public Bus Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

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

The 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, are planning to reprocure the service under the new Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). With this in mind, we would like to share with current and potential providers a slide deck with guidance around 'de-mystifying the bidding process'. The purpose of sharing this information with the market is to: • Highlight the importance of the new Central Digital Platform (Find A Tender Service). • Outline requirements for compliant bid submission. • Clarify what happens during the bidding process. • Provide guidance on using the Proactis Supplier Network for bid submissions. • Collect questions before tender publication. Providers wishing to view the slide deck can access it via the Proactis portal (https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login) under the project "Pre Market Engagement for the reprocurement of the current Public Bus Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)" (RFX1000762) or alternatively, contact: melisa.suleyman@surreycc.gov.uk Please note that the slide content is provided for guidance and information only. We cannot accept any responsibility for the interpretation, reliance upon, or use of this information in relation to bidding for contract/s. It remains the responsibility of the recipient to conduct their own due diligence and seek independent advice where necessary to ensure compliant bids are submitted.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051b94
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043183-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic, Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
25 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2025 - 30 Nov 2033 Over 5 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
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)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Lewes Priory
Westminster Constituency
Lewes

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-051b94-2025-07-25T14:41:14+01:00",
    "date": "2025-07-25T14:41:14+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051b94",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "024158-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024158-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-21T15:45:28+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "043183-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043183-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-07-25T14:41:14+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The 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, are planning to reprocure the service under the new Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). With this in mind, we would like to share with current and potential providers a slide deck with guidance around 'de-mystifying the bidding process'. The purpose of sharing this information with the market is to: * Highlight the importance of the new Central Digital Platform (Find A Tender Service). * Outline requirements for compliant bid submission. * Clarify what happens during the bidding process. * Provide guidance on using the Proactis Supplier Network for bid submissions. * Collect questions before tender publication. Providers wishing to view the slide deck can access it via the Proactis portal (https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login) under the project \"Pre Market Engagement for the reprocurement of the current Public Bus Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)\" (RFX1000762) or alternatively, contact: melisa.suleyman@surreycc.gov.uk Please note that the slide content is provided for guidance and information only. We cannot accept any responsibility for the interpretation, reliance upon, or use of this information in relation to bidding for contract/s. It remains the responsibility of the recipient to conduct their own due diligence and seek independent advice where necessary to ensure compliant bids are submitted.",
                "dueDate": "2025-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWRH-8974-TNBV",
            "name": "Surrey County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWRH-8974-TNBV"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill",
                "locality": "Reigate",
                "postalCode": "RH2 8EF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ26"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ProcurementPMO@eastsussex.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXJW-5627-QRQR",
            "name": "West Sussex County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXJW-5627-QRQR"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "County Hall, West Street",
                "locality": "Chichester",
                "postalCode": "PO19 1RQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ27"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "BSDProcurement@westsussex.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Supporting Surrey County Council"
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNNH-3312-CQGT",
            "name": "Brighton and Hove City Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNNH-3312-CQGT"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Hove Town Hall, Norton Road",
                "locality": "Hove",
                "postalCode": "BN3 3BQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ21"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ProcurementPMO@eastsussex.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Supporting Surrey County Council"
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXGX-2145-PRQJ",
            "name": "East Sussex County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXGX-2145-PRQJ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "County Hall, St Anne's Crescent",
                "locality": "Lewes",
                "postalCode": "BN7 1UE",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ22"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ProcurementPMO@eastsussex.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Supporting Surrey County Council"
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PWRH-8974-TNBV",
        "name": "Surrey County Council"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "RFX1000762",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Pre Market Engagement for the reprocurement of the current Public Bus Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)",
        "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.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "60100000",
                        "description": "Road transport services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-12-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2033-11-30T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-08-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planned"
    },
    "language": "en"
}