Award

Achieving for Children (AfC) -(SEND) Transport Service

THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

31 Oct 2025 at 13:29

Award

31 Oct 2025 at 13:00

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process for leasing specialist adapted minibuses to support statutory SEND transport across Kingston and Richmond is being managed by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The procurement falls under the goods category with the CPV classification "Minibuses." The key buying authority involved is Achieving for Children Community Interest Company. The latest update on 31st October 2025 indicates that the award stage has been completed, with a direct award contract for a two-year lease issued on 21st February 2025. Notably, the procurement employs a limited method, opting for a negotiated procedure without prior publication due to technical reasons under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The main locations covered in the contract are in the regions UKI63 and UKI75, ensuring continuity of service with minimal disruption to children, young people, and their families.

This tender represents a strategic opportunity for businesses involved in specialised vehicle leasing, particularly those accommodating SEND transportation needs. The procurement process underscores a strong alignment with the council's climate strategy, offering firms a chance to contribute to sustainable transport solutions. London Hire Ltd stands as the current incumbent supplier, highlighting the potential for companies with experience or specialisation in technical solutions to expand their footprint in government contracts. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those within the UK region specialising in bespoke vehicle adaptations, may find competitive ground leveraging their agility and innovative designs to meet the bespoke demands of this contract.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Achieving for Children (AfC) -(SEND) Transport Service

Notice Description

Provision of leased specialist adapted minibuses to support statutory SEND transport across Kingston & Richmond.

Lot Information

Lot 1

A negotiated procedure without prior publication under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 was undertaken to secure an interim two year contract with the incumbent provider of SEND transport, ensuring continuity of service with minimal disruption to children, young people and their families while a wider transformation project of SEND Transport is completed in line with the Council's climate strategy.

Procurement Information

Contracting authorities may award public contracts by a negotiated procedure without prior publication under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 where the supplies can be supplied only by a particular economic operator where competition is absent for technical reasons,

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d803
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070103-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34114400 - Minibuses

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Jul 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
Additional Buyers

ACHIEVING FOR CHILDREN COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY (AFC)

Contact Name
Ms Cassiana Phillips
Contact Email
cassiana.phillips@kingston.gov.uk, commissioning@kingston.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 0

Buyer Location

Locality
TWICKENHAM
Postcode
TW1 3BW
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI6 Outer London - South
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI63 Merton, Kingston upon Thames and Sutton
Delivery Location
TLI63 Merton, Kingston upon Thames and Sutton, TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames

Local Authority
Kingston upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Kingston Town
Westminster Constituency
Kingston and Surbiton

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LONDON HIRE

Further Information

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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