Planning

Supported Bus Services

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 May 2026 at 15:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 May 2026 at 14:45

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

13 May 2026 at 14:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Mar 2026 at 14:18

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council is undertaking a procurement process for supported bus services within the Cumberland area. The procurement is in the planning stage with a market engagement session scheduled for 26th May 2026, which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. The contracting process is expected to move to the tendering phase in early Summer 2026, with the aim of launching the services in November 2026. This procurement falls under the category of public road transport services and is identified with the CPV code 60112000. The engagement session will provide opportunities for bus operators to understand the commissioning plans and the anticipated timeline for tendering. Interested parties should reserve a space by contacting the Council's procurement team.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for bus operators, particularly those involved in public road transport services. It is suitable for SMEs and VCSEs aiming to expand their operations within the transport sector. Participation in the pre-market engagement session allows businesses to gain insights into the Council’s procurement strategy, which can aid in preparing competitive bids. Operators who are capable of managing a contract that spans from November 2026 to October 2027 would be well-positioned to compete for this opportunity, provided they can align with Cumberland Council's service delivery expectations and procurement timelines.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supported Bus Services

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is in the process of procuring supported bus services across the Cumberland area. The intention is to tender for these services in early Summer 2026, for the bus services to be ready for launch in November 2026. As part of the commissioning process, the Council would like to invite all interested bus operators to attend a pre-market engagement session. At this session we will share an outline of commissioning plans and talk through the anticipated tender process and timeline. The Council would like all bus operators who might be interested in delivering this contract either now or in the future to join us. Providers should note that procurement plans are subject to formal approval and cannot be guaranteed until a decision to procure has been made. The decision is not scheduled to be reviewed until June 2026.

Planning Information

The session will hold on the 26th of May 2026 from 19:00 - 20:00 via Microsoft Teams. There will be an opportunity for bus operators to ask questions about the procurement process. The session will not be discussing the services which will be tendered. The date and time for this is detailed above, should you wish to reserve a space please send an email to sarah.hammond@cumbria.gov.uk detailing the contact email addresses for everyone who would like to join us. A Microsoft Teams invite will be sent out to all on Friday 22nd May 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067184
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046592-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 6-12 months
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
CUMBERLAND 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD1 Cumbria
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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