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SP261465 / Coach Hire with Driver - Framework Agreement

UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Aug 2026 at 14:26

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

02 Jul 2026 at 15:42

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

13 Apr 2026 at 09:59

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Lancaster procured a framework for coach hire services with drivers, covering passenger transport across the North West of England. The requirement is divided into six service areas: ad-hoc coach bookings; ad-hoc bookings requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles or toilet facilities; international arrivals; open-day shuttle buses; Cardinal Newman; and LMS. The framework supports transport for university activities, including arrivals and events, and includes both standard and accessible coach provision. The buyer is the University of Lancaster, based in Lancaster. The service category is passenger transport vehicle hire with driver (CPV 60170000). The arrangement is relevant to coach and bus operators able to provide vehicles and drivers for varied university transport requirements across the region.

The procurement was completed through an above-threshold open procedure and a closed framework allowing call-offs with or without reopening competition. Six lots were awarded on 2 July 2026, with contracts signed on 1 August 2026. Each lot has a gross value of £2,000,000. Contracts run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2028, with options to extend by two further 12-month periods, up to 31 July 2030. Five suppliers were appointed to Lot 1: Archway Travel, FTS Coach Hire, Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, Sline Travel and John Shaw and Son. Lots 2 to 5 appointed Archway Travel, Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, Sline Travel and John Shaw and Son. Lot 6 appointed Sline Travel and John Shaw and Son. Quality counted for 80% and price 20%.

This award demonstrates sustained demand from a university for outsourced coach operations across several distinct passenger transport uses. Suppliers well placed for a comparable requirement would operate coach fleets with drivers, manage ad-hoc and event-based bookings, and cover university-related passenger movements such as international arrivals and open-day shuttles. Capability to provide wheelchair-accessible coaches and coaches with toilet facilities would be important for the specialist service area. The outcome also shows that the buyer used a multi-supplier framework, so credibility would depend on reliable operational capacity across different requirements rather than a single vehicle type or journey. Five bids were received for every lot, all from small and medium-sized enterprises, indicating a competitive market in which established regional operators can qualify and compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SP261465 / Coach Hire with Driver - Framework Agreement

Notice Description

Framework agreement of coach hire services with drivers

Lot Information

Ad-hoc coach requirements

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

Ad-hoc coach requirements (wheelchair accessible / coaches with toilet facilities)

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

International Arrivals

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

Open Day Shuttle Buses

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

Cardinal Newman

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

LMS

Renewal: The proposed contract length shall be 2 years, with the option to extend by up to2 x 12 month periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068098
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075775-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Jul 20263 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LANCASTER
Postcode
LA1 4YW
Postcode Area
Lancaster
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD44 Lancaster and Wyre
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Lancaster
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
Lancaster and Wyre

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
5
Supplier Names

Archway Travel

FTS Coach Hire Limited

Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire Ltd

SLINE TRAVEL LIMITED

John Shaw & Son Ltd

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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