Award

Bus Grant Fares & Ticketing - Fare Offer Initiatives 2026 - First Bus

THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Apr 2026 at 14:26

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

02 Apr 2026 at 14:18

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority, a sub-central government body located in Bristol, United Kingdom, has concluded the procurement for the "Bus Grant Fares & Ticketing - Fare Offer Initiatives 2026 - First Bus." This initiative encompasses fare schemes including Kids Go Free during Easter Holidays, Care Leavers, and the Youth Guarantee Fare Offer. The procurement was completed using a direct award method primarily due to exclusive rights held by the supplier. The contracting process was initiated on April 2, 2026, with the award notice published the same day. The service falls under the public road transport services category, with the contract period running from April 17, 2026, to September 30, 2026, and a contract value of £472,138.40.

The direct award presents a strategic growth opportunity for FIRST WEST OF ENGLAND LIMITED, the supplier, due to its unique position with intellectual property and exclusive rights to operate specific bus routes. Businesses that hold similar exclusive rights or intellectual property might find opportunities in engaging partnerships or subcontracts through such direct awards. Organisations in the transport industry or those offering innovative fare systems and customer-focused services could find this sector lucrative owing to its substantial budget and focus on public service initiatives. This contract underscores the potential for enhancing public transport offerings and attracting more customers during high-travel periods like holidays.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Grant Fares & Ticketing - Fare Offer Initiatives 2026 - First Bus

Notice Description

This contract will cover the Kids Go Free (Easter Holidays), Care Leavers and Youth Guarantee Fare Offer schemes with this supplier

Procurement Information

Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights The Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) permits direct awards to be made in certain circumstances. The relevant justification is contained in Paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 of the Act which states: "The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract- (a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Each of the bus operators has been awarded competitively tendered bus routes which they have exclusive rights to operate so that both limbs (a) and (b) are satisfied.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067c13
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031042-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£472,138 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
16 Apr 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AL
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRST WEST OF ENGLAND

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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