Tender

Procurement of New Diesel Passenger Vehicles

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

01 Dec 2025 at 15:02

Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is currently in the active tender stage for the procurement of new diesel passenger vehicles. This procurement process falls under the goods main procurement category, with a focus on motor vehicles (CPV: 34100000). The tender is being conducted through an open procedure, allowing for electronic submissions in English via the designated platform, The Chest. Situated in Liverpool, the authority seeks to acquire a fleet of short length vehicles to support their bus franchising scheme, slated to commence in September 2026. The final date for enquiry submissions is 19th December 2025, with the tender submission deadline set for 9th January 2026. The award decision is expected by 31st January 2026, with contracts running from 1st February to 31st October 2026.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for companies specialising in the manufacturing and supply of diesel vehicles, particularly those capable of producing double-decker, single-decker, and midi-sized buses. Businesses with a strong focus on technical compliance, customer experience, and user operability are well-suited to compete, as up to 65% of the evaluation criteria will be based on quality factors, with the remaining 35% on price. Additionally, the procurement emphasises inclusivity for SMEs, encouraging participation that could spur growth and expand market presence within the Liverpool City Region. Successful bidders will manage and maintain the supplied fleet under the franchising scheme, providing a platform for sustained business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of New Diesel Passenger Vehicles

Notice Description

In April 2023, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region, which set out a proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act 2000. In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made the decision to introduce a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region. Franchising is a legal model where buses are under the control of a public sector authority (LCRCA) who set the routes, frequency, fares and overall standard of buses in the region. The existing commercially led market will be replaced and private bus operators will no longer be able to run most services independently. Instead, bus services will be operated under franchise contracts and bus operators will bid to run the services through a competitive procurement process managed by the Combined Authority. LCRCA intend to introduce the first Tranche of franchised bus services from 6 September 2026, covering St Helens and the Wirral (The Wirral to be shortly after St Helens i.e. not going live simultaneously), before introducing more franchised bus services through further Tranches across all of LCRCA by the end of 2027. For Category 1 franchise contracts, LCRCA will provide the successful Operator with a fleet of vehicles which the Operator will then operate, manage and maintain throughout the franchise term. In preparation for the commencement of the Tranche 1 bus franchising programme in September 2026, LCRCA have procured a fleet of double-decker, single-decker and midi-sized diesel buses. To support these vehicles and allow for the operation of services on routes with specific space restrictions, LCRCA wish to procure a number of short length vehicles, required to be delivered in the period June - July 2026 ahead of the commencement date of franchised services.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec17
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078553-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34100000 - Motor vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,350,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,350,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Dec 20253 days ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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