This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

01 May 2026 at 15:26

Planning

10 Jun 2025 at 14:22

Planning

30 May 2025 at 16:18

Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is seeking to procure a new service contract for the Colchester Park and Ride, as part of their sustainable transport strategy. This tender, titled "Colchester Park and Ride", falls within the industry category of public road transport services and is geared towards maintaining and operating the Park and Ride service for residents travelling into Colchester city centre. The procurement follows an open procedure and the deadline for tender submission is set for 2nd June 2026. The new service contract will commence on 26th September 2026 and will initially run for four years, with potential extensions available. This initiative is active and ready for tender as it progresses through the procurement stage.

This project offers significant business opportunities, particularly for SMEs interested in providing public transport services. With a contract value of £2.6 million, there is a substantial incentive for businesses specialising in transport operations and those with experience in handling large-scale logistical contracts. The contract will be awarded based on both price and qualitative factors, including successful implementation, operational support, social value, and climate impact. Companies with a commitment to reducing emissions and improving local air quality will find this tender particularly aligned with their capabilities, presenting a chance to contribute to sustainable urban mobility in Essex.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Colchester Park and Ride

Notice Description

The purpose of this tender is to ensure that the residents of Essex continue to have a Park and Ride service into Colchester city centre. This will ensure ECC continues to align with sustainable transport strategy, as well as with agreed various visions, objectives and policies reflected within the current Local Transport Plan. This tender is for the award of the Colchester Park and Ride Service: - The Colchester Park and Ride Service: accessible from the A12, junction 28 and has a short 15- 20 minute journey time into the city centre. The new bus Services contract will be awarded as Gross or Nett Cost Contract, and the Service Commencement Date will be the 26th of September 2026. The initial services period will be for four (4) years.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is the option to extend the contract for up to 3 years

Planning Information

The Council are considering potential operating models, and so request that interested parties respond to the Market Research document issued by 17:00 on 13th June 2025. The Market Research features two main questions, accessible through the associated ProContract project: 'PL0080 Colchester Park and Ride Services'. Please note there are two ProContract projects under this name, with the one being used from this point onwards 'DN776690'. This activity is a request is for information only, and it is not an invitation to tender or treat with the Council for Park and Ride operations. If you have any questions regarding this exercise, please submit them via the ProContract Portal and we will reply to your questions as soon as possible.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052a22
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040703-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open 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

60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
14 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
25 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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