Award

Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4

TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

ContractTermination

08 Apr 2026 at 07:42

UK11 - Contract Termination Notice
Award

07 Aug 2025 at 09:28

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process for the Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4, managed by Tees Valley Combined Authority, has reached the stage of contract termination. Initially, a contract was awarded on 7th August 2025, and the service was set to run from 24th March 2025 until 28th March 2026. Unfortunately, the contract, identified as TVCA-PROC-0518, has been terminated as of 8th April 2026. This procurement falls under the category of public road transport services and is located in Darlington, UK. The procurement method used was direct, following a de minimis contract approach, which allows a certain level of expenditure without the need for competitive tendering due to its "below threshold" status in line with the Transport Act and related regulations.

This procurement process provided opportunities for businesses in the public transport sector, particularly those capable of managing and operating bus services. Although the contract has been terminated, such tenders often open the door for companies to establish relationships with contracting authorities such as the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Businesses that can offer reliable and cost-effective public transport services might find similar future opportunities beneficial for expanding their market presence in regional transport services. The procurement aligns well with companies experienced in providing consistent service quality and those looking to engage in public transport contracts with sub-central governments in the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4

Notice Description

Tees Valley Combined Authority (the 'Contracting Authority'), part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, have awarded a contract for the provision of Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4. Award of De Minimis bus transport subsidy contract in line with the Transport Act and Service Subsidy Agreements (Tendering) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004. Local authorities or Passenger Transport Authorities/Executives with forecast expenditure on bus service subsidies in any one year of PS600,000 or more will be able to spend up to 25% of this on de minimis contracts; within this 25% there is no limit on the expenditure in any one year that may be incurred on an individual de minimis contract or the amount of de minimis contract expenditure in any year with any single operator.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058317
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031695-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK11 - Contract Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£79,478 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Mar 20251 years ago
Contract Period
24 Mar 2025 - 28 Mar 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Terminated

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL2 1NJ
Post Town
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Sadberge & Middleton St George
Westminster Constituency
Stockton West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY

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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