Planning

SEND & Social Care Transportation

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

23 Mar 2026 at 13:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Mar 2026 at 13:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Jul 2025 at 10:22

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Newcastle City Council is currently in the planning stage for the commissioning of services related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and social care transportation. The Council's current contractual arrangements are set to expire on 31 August 2026. To explore options for new arrangements that will commence during summer 2026, a market engagement event is scheduled for Tuesday, 7 April 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Newcastle Civic Centre Banqueting Hall. Interested providers and stakeholders are encouraged to attend to discuss the upcoming procurement, which falls under the transport services industry category. This procurement process will involve taxi, minibus, and coach services and address various transport needs within Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding region. The contract's estimated gross value is £62.4 million, with a procurement method expected to include a framework agreement, and the contract set to start on 22 June 2026, with potential renewal extending until 2030.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in transport services, particularly those catering to special needs and social care sectors. Organisations ready to deliver comprehensive transportation solutions, including home-to-school, college transport, and care transport for vulnerable groups, are encouraged to compete. The procurement process supports participation from SMEs and VCSEs, ensuring a diverse range of business sizes and types can seize this opportunity. By participating in the engagement event and the procurement process itself, businesses could establish long-term service provisions with Newcastle City Council, thereby facilitating substantial business growth through reliable contracts and impactful community service delivery.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SEND & Social Care Transportation

Notice Description

This procurement is expected to cover all of the Council's requirements for SEND and Social Care taxi, minibus and coach services. It will likely encompass Home to School, Home to care, College Transport, Transport for Older People, Looked After Children, People with Additional Needs, other Vulnerable People within Social Care and any other transport request as identified by the Council.

Planning Information

Tuesday 7 April 2026 - 1pm to 3pm Newcastle City Council Banqueting Hall. Newcastle City Council's current contractual arrangements for SEND and Social Care Transportation are due to end on 31 August 2026, and we will be undertaking a commissioning exercise to explore options for new arrangements from summer 2026. The Council are inviting all interested providers and stakeholders to meet with us to discuss the services that we intend to commission. This event is an important opportunity to ensure providers are fully informed about future commissioning plans and do not miss key updates relating to the next phase of service provision. The session will include: Proposed future service model and specification Opportunity for feedback and open discussion Commissioning and procurement timeline and next steps The Market Engagement Event will be held on Tuesday 7 April 2026 at Newcastle Civic Centre, Banqueting Hall, 1:00pm to 3:00pm Please confirm your attendance by using the link provided https://forms.office.com/e/4cJGBbLbUN

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055f2d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026283-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£52,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jun 2026 - 22 Jun 2028 2-3 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
NEWCASTLE CITY 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
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE1 8QH
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Monument
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

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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