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DPS Transport for Education, Social care and other transport requirements (East Lothian Council)

East Lothian Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

17 Apr 2026 at 09:33

Tender Notice
Planning

06 Mar 2026 at 15:31

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

East Lothian Council is currently engaging in the tender process for a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) focused on transport services, primarily for education and social care needs within the East Lothian region. The procurement is categorised under public road transport services, with the Council applying a selective procurement method, namely a restricted procedure. This active tender commenced on 17th April 2026, following a planning stage indicated on 6th March 2026. A webinar event on bidding for this contract is scheduled online for 23rd April 2026. The procurement activity includes multiple lots—ranging from MPVs and minibuses to larger vehicles—all intended to accommodate requirements for individuals, including those with disabilities. The DPS system allows suppliers to join at any time and will offer mini competitions to award contracts. The current tender period ends on 20th April 2034, and community benefits apply once spending reaches £50,000 annually.

This procurement process represents significant business growth opportunities for operators with licensed vehicles, particularly those capable of providing taxi services, private hire options, minibuses, and buses with features accommodating wheelchair accessibility. Key awards criteria focus heavily on price, weighted at 90%, which promotes competitive bidding amongst price-sensitive suppliers. Employers must ensure compliance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and Police Scotland checks, alongside GDPR regulations. Businesses equipped with the appropriate Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence or Taxi/Private Hire Car Operator Licence are positioned advantageously. The substantial £43,717,860 financial allocation signals prominent business opportunities for well-equipped and compliant suppliers in the transport industry. Suppliers can leverage electronic ordering and invoicing capabilities, which streamline operational workflows and facilitate engagement in this recurring requirement, enhancing long-term growth and sustainability in the public transport sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DPS Transport for Education, Social care and other transport requirements (East Lothian Council)

Notice Description

East Lothian Council ("ELC") are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area. ELC is setting up a Dynamic Purchasing System ("DPS") to procure these contracts. A DPS is completely electronic system and is similar to a framework agreement but a key difference is that, unlike a framework agreement, suppliers can join a DPS at any time. Contracts operated through this DPS can generally be undertaken by taxis, private hire cars, minibuses and buses, including the requirement for those of these vehicles to be capable of carrying passengers in wheelchairs. The DPS will be split into the following categories: -Category 1: MPVs (5-8 seats), including salon cars (4 seats). -Category 2: MPV- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats) -Category 3: Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles -Category 4: Vehicles above 17 seats Contracts under the DPS will be awarded following mini competitions.

Lot Information

Vehicles above 17 seats

East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area. This Lot is for Vehicles above 17 seats. Additional information: Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.

Renewal: Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.

MPVs (5-8 seats), including salon cars (4 seats).

East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area. This Lot is for MPVs (5-8 seats) including salon cars (4 seats). Additional information: Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.

Renewal: Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.

MPV- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats)

East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area. This Lot is for MPVs- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats). Additional information: Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.

Renewal: Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.

Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles of this capacity

East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area. This is is for Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles of this capacity. Additional information: Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.

Renewal: Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06647e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034979-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning 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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

34114400 - Minibuses

34121000 - Buses and coaches

34121500 - Coaches

60112000 - Public road transport services

60120000 - Taxi services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£43,717,860 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Apr 20348 years to go
Future Notice Date
24 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
This is a recurring requirement for East Lothian Council. It is anticipated the renewal process will commence 9 months before the expiry of this Dynamic Purchasing System in 2034

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
East Lothian Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HADDINGTON, EAST LOTHIAN
Postcode
EH41 3HA
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM11 East Lothian and Midlothian
Delivery Location
TLM73 East Lothian and Midlothian
Local Authority
East Lothian
Electoral Ward
Haddington and Lammermuir
Westminster Constituency
Lothian East

Further Information

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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