This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

24 Apr 2026 at 12:18

TenderUpdate

01 Dec 2025 at 16:20

Tender

30 Oct 2025 at 15:25

Planning

18 Sep 2025 at 11:16

Summary of the contracting process

The North Lanarkshire Council has awarded a framework agreement for the provision of ad-hoc minibus and coach hire services to supplement school pupil transport and cater to the needs of pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN). This procurement process is for the services sector and focuses on ensuring safe and reliable transportation solutions for educational and local community purposes. The framework includes five Lots based on vehicle seating capacities, ranging from 4 to over 70 seats. The successful bidders for Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 include various SMEs such as Blue Bus Ltd, MacPhails Coaches Ltd, and Park's of Hamilton (Coach Hirers) Ltd, among others. Active stages include awards relating to each Lot, with contracts signed on 2nd April 2026. This procurement exercise follows an open procedure under the CELEX legal basis and complies with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Businesses specialising in passenger transport services can find expansion opportunities through this framework agreement, as there is a significant demand for qualified minibus and coach operators. Companies with proven logistical capabilities, suitable fleet sizes, and compliance with transport safety and legal standards are encouraged to participate in such tenders. This opportunity is particularly suited for businesses that can meet the diverse transport requirements of North Lanarkshire Council, providing services for educational visits and community activities. The framework agreement helps streamline service delivery, promising consistent quality and adherence to statutory obligations, thus presenting a structured opportunity for growth for reliable and environmentally conscious transport providers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for Ad-Hoc Minibus and Coach Hire

Notice Description

North Lanarkshire Council (the "Council") requires the provision of passenger transport services to supplement its existing arrangements managed by Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) for school pupil transport (drop-offs and pickups before and after the school day), and transport for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN). To enable the delivery of critical / key service provision, the council intends to establish a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework agreement for minibus and coach hire services to provide ad-hoc passenger journeys, primarily for educational purposes but available for use by other Council departments. Transport required via the framework agreement will be used for a variety of purposes, including (but not limited to) one-off day trips, educational visits, cultural excursions and short-term block bookings such as swimming lessons, sports training etc. the framework agreement shall include the provision of appropriately sized and equipped vehicles, qualified drivers, and compliance with all relevant safety and safeguarding standards. Optional elements, such as enhanced accessibility features or additional vehicle capacities, may be considered or sought via the framework agreement but are not mandatory. Further information on the Lots, including applied Sub-Lots is detailed below however it is anticipated that a maximum of seven (7) Contractors shall be appointed to each of the five (5) Lots of the framework agreement. Full information on the Details of Requirements to be applied within the framework agreement are detailed in ITT Annex 1 available via PCS-Tender.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - 4 to 16 Seat Vehicles (Excl .Driver)

In addition to the Description detailed above in this Contract Notice, Lot 1 of the framework agreement will comprise of vehicles with a passenger seating capacity of 4 - 16 seats. Full information on the Details of Requirements, Lot approach etc. for the framework agreement is detailed in the tender pack, response envelopes etc. located in PCS-Tender

Renewal: The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Lot 2 - 17 to 34 Seat Vehicles (Excl .Driver)

In addition to the Description detailed above in this Contract Notice, Lot 2 of the framework agreement will comprise of vehicles with a passenger seating capacity of 17 - 34 seats Full information on the Details of Requirements, Lot approach etc. for the framework agreement is detailed in the tender pack, response envelopes etc. located in PCS-Tender

Renewal: The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Lot 3 - 35 to 53 Seat Vehicles (Excl .Driver)

In addition to the Description detailed above in this Contract Notice, Lot 3 of the framework agreement will comprise of vehicles with a passenger seating capacity of 35 - 53 seats Full information on the Details of Requirements, Lot approach etc. for the framework agreement is detailed in the tender pack, response envelopes etc. located in PCS-Tender

Renewal: The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Lot 4 - 54 to 69 Seat Vehicles (Excl .Driver)

In addition to the Description detailed above in this Contract Notice, Lot 4 of the framework agreement will comprise of vehicles with a passenger seating capacity of 54 - 69 seats Full information on the Details of Requirements, Lot approach etc. for the framework agreement is detailed in the tender pack, response envelopes etc. located in PCS-Tender

Renewal: The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Lot 5 - 70+ Seat Vehicles (Excl .Driver)

In addition to the Description detailed above in this Contract Notice, Lot 5 of the framework agreement will comprise of vehicles with a passenger seating capacity of 70 seat or more. Full information on the Details of Requirements, Lot approach etc. for the framework agreement is detailed in the tender pack, response envelopes etc. located in PCS-Tender

Renewal: The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059ceb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037543-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,520,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
24 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
2 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
The framework agreement will be awarded for a maximum total period of 48 months. Following expiry of the framework agreement, the Council may elect to re-tender requirements.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Lanarkshire 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
MOTHERWELL
Postcode
ML1 1AB
Postcode Area
Motherwell
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM34 North Lanarkshire
Delivery Location
TLM84 North Lanarkshire

Local Authority
North Lanarkshire
Electoral Ward
Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig
Westminster Constituency
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
12
Supplier Names

Blue Bus Ltd

Calmac Executive Travel LTD

Doigs Ltd

GOLDEN EAGLE COACHES Ltd

K White Transport

Kevin's Coaches Ltd

L A Travel Ltd

MacPhails Coaches Ltd

Millers Coaches Scotland Ltd

PHOTOFLASH TRAVEL LTD

Park's of Hamilton (Coach Hirers) Ltd

i travel transport services ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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