Tender

SS15 124 Home to School Transport - DPS

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

17 Dec 2025 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council is actively seeking suppliers for its Home to School Transport Dynamic Purchasing System, providing transport services in Kent. This procurement process focuses on delivering safe and efficient transport services for children/students, particularly those with special educational needs, across the region. Set within the industry category of transport services and following a restricted procurement method, the process ensures compliance with statutory guidance and safeguarding requirements. Currently in the tender stage, this DPS has been extended to remain valid until 23 February 2029 to ensure service continuity, with submissions closing on 21 February 2029.

Businesses specialising in transport services, particularly those equipped to handle specific needs of children with disabilities or special educational requirements, will find ample opportunities for growth under this DPS. With an estimated project value of £750 million, the procurement process presents significant prospects for transport service providers, including SMEs. Suppliers can continually apply during the DPS validity period, promoting a dynamic competitive environment where new entrants hold the same standing as existing DPS members, provided they meet the Council’s selection criteria. This provides an excellent opportunity for enterprises aiming to expand their footprint in the substantial public sector transport market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

SS15 124 Home to School Transport - DPS

Notice Description

Kent County Council (the Council) is the largest local council in England covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of over PS1.6bn on goods and services and a population of 1.8m. The Council provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and over 300 parish/town councils. The Council procures and manages transport for children/ students with special educational needs in line with the requirements placed on it by Government, through the home to school statutory guidance: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445407/Home_to_School_Travel_and_Transport_Guidance.pdf The Council established this Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to tender for Home to School transport and a wide range of social care transport requirements. The Supplier will be required to deliver children/students to school in a safe and efficient manner, ensuring they are ready for learning. They will be expected to deliver them home at the end of the day, in a safe and efficient manner. The Supplier will also be expected to embed a pro-active communication process which takes into account the requirements of the Council, school and the parents/guardians of the individual client. Whether a child attending school or a child requiring transport these children may have conditions covering: -Learning difficulties; -Mental health conditions; -Behavioural, emotional and social difficulties; -Speech, language and communication difficulties; -Autistic spectrum disorder; -Visual impairment; -Hearing impairment; -Multi-sensory impairment; -Physical disability; and, -Hidden disability. This requirement looks to source transportation services from the commercial market to provide transport into the selected schools. The suppliers will be required to provide: vehicles, drivers & passenger assistants to transport students to these schools ensuring that the vehicles and level of care meet the individual needs of each passenger as identified within the terms and conditions of contract, tender specification which will include appropriate safeguarding requirements. Further details of the full scope and specific requirements will be provided within the tender documentation issued under this DPS. Further background and technical information can be found within the tender documentation. This Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) was originally established in 2016, with a start date of 01 November 2016. Due to the lack of viable alternatives provided by the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and in line with the transition arrangements, the Council is extending the 'Supported Local Bus and Home to School Transport Services' DPS period of validity - in accordance with Regulation 28(1)(a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - from 01 November 2026 to 23 February 2029, to ensure continuity of service. All other terms and conditions of the DPS remain unchanged. This Dynamic Purchasing System has an estimated total value of PS750 million, covering the period from its establishment in 2016 through to the end of its period of validity.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Council established this Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to tender a variety of transport requirements, as detailed in section II.I.4. This notice serves as notification of the extension to the "SS15124 Home to School Transport" DPS period of validity to 23 February 2029. Suppliers may apply at any time during the DPS validity period, provided they meet the selection criteria. The DPS will remain open for new suppliers throughout its validity in accordance with Regulation 34 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Applicants must meet and continue to meet the Council's minimum standards as defined in this document. Successful applicants will have equal standing with existing DPS members, and unsuccessful applicants may reapply at any time during the DPS validity period. Minimum time limits for tenders under the DPS will be specified in each individual Invitation to Tender (ITT). Suppliers can access the 'SS15124 Home to School Transport Dynamic Purchasing System' by visiting: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk or via the links provided. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/6AW23S749Y

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f7f9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083887-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic, Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£750,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
21 Feb 20294 years to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
17 Dec 2025 - 23 Feb 2029 3-4 years
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
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
compliance.publictransport@kent.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 3000414141

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

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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