This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

18 May 2026 at 20:27

Tender

10 Feb 2026 at 16:07

Planning

01 Dec 2025 at 16:24

Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has awarded contracts for the procurement of diesel and electric buses to support their bus franchising scheme, a move detailed in their "Bus Fleet Diesel and Electric Vehicles" initiative. The award phase concluded on 18 May 2026, with contracts signed by the suppliers, Bamford Bus Company Ltd and Alexander Dennis Limited. The procurement was completed through an open procedure focusing on the acquisition of double-decker, single-decker, and midi-sized buses, with delivery set for May 2027. This procurement is aligned with the Authority's goal to commence a robust franchising programme by September 2027, covering Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley.

This procurement presents significant business opportunities, particularly for manufacturers in the automotive and public transport sectors with expertise in producing compliant vehicles that meet the high emissions standards and accessibility requirements. Large-scale enterprises equipped with the capacity for electric and diesel vehicle production stand to benefit immensely by engaging in such contracts. Additionally, businesses looking to diversify into the public transport sector can seize opportunities to grow their market presence in the region by supporting the rollout of an extensive new bus fleet.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Bus Fleet Diesel and Electric 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 second Tranche of franchised bus services from September 2027, covering Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley. This follows the first Tranche of franchised bus services introduced in September 2026 covering St Helens and the Wirral. 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 the fleet throughout the franchise term. In preparation for the commencement of the Tranche 2 bus franchising programme in September 2027, LCRCA wish to procure a fleet of new vehicles including diesel and electric vehicles. A number of double-decker, single-decker and midi-sized buses are required to be delivered in May 2027 ahead of the commencement date of franchised services.

Lot Information

Double Decker Bus - Diesel

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Diesel - Double Decker Bus

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Single Decker Bus - Diesel

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Midi Bus - Electric

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Midi Bus - Diesel

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Single Decker Bus - Electric

Renewal: 1 x 12 month Extension

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec46
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045567-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34120000 - Motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£99,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£99,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£111,075,440 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
12 May 20263 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jun 2026 - 31 May 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Liverpool City Region 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
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Postcode Area
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
TLD7 Merseyside

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

ALEXANDER DENNIS LIMITED

Bamford Bus Company Ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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