Provision of Maeshowe Shuttle Bus Service

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

22 Jun 2026 at 10:45

Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 13:31

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement contract titled "Provision of Maeshowe Shuttle Bus Service" was initiated by Historic Environment Scotland, a national agency based in Edinburgh. The contract focuses on the transportation service sector, specifically the hire of buses and coaches with a driver (CPV Code: 60172000). The service is to operate from the Stenness Visitor Centre to Tormiston Mill in Orkney, with daily operations excluding specific holidays. Initially tendered using an open procedure, the contract was awarded to Acacia Coaches LTD on 8th June 2026, with the tender entering the award stage on 22nd June 2026. Important submission deadlines included a tender period closure on 30th March 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for transport service providers and those specialising in tourism-related transportation. Companies with strong technical capabilities and competitive pricing strategies are well-suited for participation. Historical data shows the contract was initially valued at £300,000, underlying the potential revenue for qualified bidders. Moreover, companies with the capacity to fulfil contract extensions or renewals would find this tender competitively advantageous. Essential prerequisites include substantial liability insurances and the capacity to fulfil daily shuttle service requirements, thus favouring well-established transport providers capable of maintaining high operational standards.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Maeshowe Shuttle Bus Service

Notice Description

Provision of Maeshowe Shuttle Bus Service

Lot Information

Lot 1

HES requires the provision of a shuttle bus service from Stenness Visitor Centre, Orkney to Tormiston Mill, Stenness, Orkney and back on a daily basis, with the exceptions of 25 - 26th December 2026 and 1-2 January 2027. The appointed supplier must provide a bus and qualified licensed driver from 09.45hrs - 17.30hrs 7 days a week. However, during the months of June, July and August the bus will also run daily until 21:00.

Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to request additional deliveries by the Successful Tenderer, either intended as partial replacement of supplies or installations or as extensions of existing supplies and installations. The Contracting Authority may at it's sole discretion exercise this option.

Renewal: HES will have the option to extend the contract for a further 12 month period, giving a maximum possible contract term of 24 months.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065e52
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058428-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
30 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
24 months from contract award date.

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 1SH
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM65 Orkney Islands

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACACIA COACHES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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