Planning

Modeshift STARS

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Feb 2026 at 12:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sheffield City Council is initiating a procurement process to contract for the delivery of the Modeshift STARS programmes, aimed at promoting sustainable travel in schools across Sheffield. The project falls under the services category, specifically general management consultancy services, and is located in the United Kingdom, within the Yorkshire and the Humber region. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a preliminary market engagement notice issued on 11th February 2026, indicating a future tender publication. Interested bidders need Modeshift accreditation to qualify, with key deadlines such as the engagement milestone due by 25th February 2026, and a future notice anticipated on 24th March 2026. The contract period is expected to commence on 1st July 2026 for 12 months, with the possibility of extension till 31st March 2028, depending on funding constraints.

This procurement presents ample opportunities for firms specialising in consultancy services related to sustainable travel and education programmes. Organisations accredited by Modeshift and capable of implementing the STARS initiatives can leverage this contract to expand their business footprint in public sector work. Particularly suitable are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in engaging schools for active travel initiatives, improving air quality, and supporting community-based educational programmes. By contributing innovative solutions to the city's active travel goals, businesses can enhance their reputation and gain potentially further contracts, especially as TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) considerations are included. Additionally, the framework agreement technique allows businesses to secure long-term engagement with local authorities, fostering sustained growth within the industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Modeshift STARS

Notice Description

Delivery of the Modeshift STARS programmes. Modeshift STARS is the National Sustainable Travel Accreditation scheme for schools which is sponsored by Active Travel England on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). Modeshift - a Not for Profit Organisation - are the creators and developers of the scheme. They also support, train and endorse other organisations to deliver the STARS programmes. Schools who successfully undertake the Modeshift STARS schemes, are then accredited, which gives them access to other DfT sponsored schemes and grants such as Street Smart. Sheffield City Council use the Modeshift STARS scheme to engage and work with schools on promoting, encouraging, and enabling active journeys to school. The project aims to: * Engage more Sheffield schools in the project * Increase the number of accredited schools in Sheffield * Support schools to gain higher levels of accreditation * Increase the number of families choosing active journeys to school * Decrease the number of children being driven to school * Deliver active travel initiatives in participating schools across the city, * Help schools to deliver their own active travel initiatives * Improve air quality around schools by reducing the number of vehicles used on the school run, and parking near the school gates * Make school entrances safer by working with other SCC projects and services (Parking Services, School Streets, Road Safety) * Coordinating and working with associated projects with mutual aims such as Living Streets, Move More, and Local Sports Partnerships. The successful bidder must be accredited with Modeshift in order to deliver the programmes required. We currently have 60 accredited schools, with 8 of those being at the highest level. The contract is expected to run from 1st July 2026 for a period of 12 months with an option to extend for a further 9 months to 31st March 2028 (21 months in total). TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) will be included in this procurement, details to be advised in the tender documentation. Owing to funding constraints, bids must not be higher than the contract value stipulated. Any bids which are higher will be unsuccessful.

Planning Information

The intention of the notice is to alert the market to an intended future tender publication, and to ensure that the market is aware that all bidders must be accredited with Modeshift to be able to deliver the Modeshift programmes, and therefore to be able to bid for the opportunity. Modeshift is the National Sustainable Travel Accreditation scheme for schools which is sponsored by Active Travel England on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). The PME allows for interested parties to ask any questions they may have for the Local Authority. https://forms.office.com/e/vvYRvX0Jxp

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064dc0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012356-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79411000 - General management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£440,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Mar 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@sheffield.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 2HH
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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