Award

Bus Grant - enhancement of bus services (Services 13, 22/U4, 19)

THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2025 at 11:54

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority is overseeing a procurement process focused on enhancing bus services within the UK, specifically targeting Services 13, 22/U4, and 19. The process involves a direct award to First West of England Limited, justified due to exclusive rights and no viable alternatives. This procurement falls within the services industry category and has been awarded a contract valued at £588,503. The procurement phase is currently in the award stage, with the contract set to commence on 31st August 2025 and conclude on 4th April 2026. The authority operates from Bristol, UK, and directed this tender under the legal framework of the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for firms involved in passenger transport services, particularly those capable of enhancing service frequencies and journey times within the specified routes. Given the direct award to First West of England Limited, businesses aspiring to compete in future tenders with similar exclusive service rights, asset ownership or unique capabilities could find themselves well-placed to secure contracts. Such opportunities are suitable for large-scale transport operators with established service frameworks and adaptive capabilities to thrive in direct award scenarios. Additionally, businesses should consider developing intellectual property or securing exclusive operational rights to strengthen their competitive edge in similar public procurement processes.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Grant - enhancement of bus services (Services 13, 22/U4, 19)

Notice Description

Enhancement of the following bus services: Service 13 - Elmhurst - Foxhill via Bath City Centre, is a commercially operated bus service by First. It is proposed to enhance the daytime frequency and evenings journeys. Service 22/U4 - Southdown - University of Bath, is a commercially operated bus service by First. It is proposed to enhance the daytime frequency and evenings journeys. Service 19 - Bath City Centre - Bristol Parkway, is a commercially operated bus service by First. It is proposed to enhance the daytime frequency and evenings journeys.

Procurement Information

The value of the Bus Service 13, Bus Service 22 U4 and Bus Service 19 are above the PA23 threshold and will therefore need to be made under s41 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 - single supplier justification for direct award - ie First Bus have exclusive rights and there are no reasonable alternatives, which means only FirstBus can deliver these enhanced services.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0562e4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041626-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£588,503 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
30 Aug 2025 - 4 Apr 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AL
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRST WEST OF ENGLAND

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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