Planning

School and Social Care Transport Framework

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Mar 2026 at 15:26

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Reading Borough Council is preparing for a planned procurement process titled "School and Social Care Transport Framework," aimed at providing statutory travel assistance to eligible pupils. This transport service covers various areas in the United Kingdom, specifically in region UKJ11. The process is currently in the planning stage, with a future notice date set for 8 April 2026. The procurement initiative will start on 1 October 2026 and continue until 30 September 2034, targeting the industry category of public road transport services, taxi services, and non-scheduled passenger transport. Estimated gross contract value is £43,392,336, and the process adheres to the legal basis articulated in the UKPGA 2023/54.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to engage in providing specialised transport services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. To compete effectively, businesses should be able to deliver safe, reliable, and well-licensed transport options, such as taxis and minibuses, tailored to the specific needs of the passengers. Engaging in this procurement process can enable growth through establishing a long-term partnership with the local authority, benefiting from a framework agreement. Businesses with experience in logistics, transport, and compliance with local government policies are particularly well-suited to participate.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

School and Social Care Transport Framework

Notice Description

The local authority has a statutory duty to provide free travel assistance to pupils who meet the qualifying criteria. Most of the pupils who qualify receive a bus pass. For children and young people with special educational needs and/or a disability may be eligible to bespoke travel arrangements, such as a taxi or minibus. There are currently 536 pre-16 and 90 post-16 learners receiving transport arranged by the local authority at a forecasted cost of PS4.52m for the financial year 2025 - 2026. The scope for this project is to cover the following key deliverables: Service users are transported in safely to their destination. The Provider supplies appropriate trained and licenced personnel. The provider uses vehicles that are suitable for the Passenger's needs. The Provider provides vehicles that are in a good condition and are clean and tidy. The supplier must at all times keep in mind the Council's own policies and priorities relevant to the project, such that the supplier highlights any recommendations which may contradict the Council's strategic direction as soon as possible, in line with the process defined in the Delivery section below.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06677a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021892-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

60120000 - Taxi services

60140000 - Non-scheduled passenger transport

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£36,160,280 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
READING BOROUGH 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
READING
Postcode
RG1 2LU
Post Town
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLJ11 Berkshire
Local Authority
Reading
Electoral Ward
Abbey
Westminster Constituency
Reading Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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