Planning

Ad Hoc Coach Hire

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 May 2026 at 08:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University has initiated a public procurement process for a framework agreement concerning ad hoc coach hire services, including airport pickups. The tendering process, currently in the planning stage, is underpinned by the Procurement Act 2023 and governed by Welsh devolved regulations. The procurement aims to establish a framework agreement with up to three suppliers, commencing from 3rd August 2026, lasting for two years with potential extension up to four years. Estimated expenditure is £1,600,000 over four years. Potential suppliers are encouraged to provide input, focusing on service reliability, customer service, safety, and sustainability, with the next major milestone expected by 28th May 2026.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in travel services, particularly SMEs, due to its suitability criteria. The single-stage open procedure allows direct awards or further competition, enabling suppliers to showcase innovative solutions to enhance service and reduce costs. The framework's design to maximise public benefit and deliver value for money encourages diverse participation, providing a growth platform for businesses capable of meeting Cardiff University's robust service criteria and contributing to its strategic, economic objectives. Companies specialising in transportation, particularly those with proven track records in large-scale and flexible service delivery, stand to benefit from engaging in this framework process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Ad Hoc Coach Hire

Notice Description

A Pre-market engagement notice, to advise potential bidders of our intention to publish a tender for a framework agreement and invite information from potential bidders. Details can be viewed here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/aspx/Home SECTION 1 - UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction Cardiff University, founded in 1883, is an ambitious and innovative university with a bold and strategic vision located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. Our world-leading research was ranked 5th amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework for quality and 2nd for impact. We provide an educationally outstanding experience for our students. Driven by creativity and curiosity, we strive to fulfil our social, cultural, and economic obligations to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. We excel in producing high quality, innovative research which translates into benefits both locally and worldwide. Our academics and researchers have won many honours and awards in recognition of their innovations and discoveries. The advancements they have made have changed the face of their chosen areas of work and have helped to make us a world-leading institution. 1.1. The Way forward: Our Strategic Direction Through our collaborative and consultative exercise, have co-created our vision for the future of Cardiff University. Building on our history, values, strengths, resources, and networks, and drawing on our academic and professional expertise, we have developed our direction of travel, together. 1.2. Who We Are We have a diverse student population with students coming from more than 100 countries and with a range of backgrounds. Our academic staff are driven by creativity and curiosity and many are leaders in their fields, creating a stimulating environment for learning. Education: Our students benefit from research-led teaching that develops their individual intellectual abilities. Research: We use our knowledge to develop innovative research that will have an impact on the world. Innovation: We excel in connecting industry, business, government and NGOs with our academics. International: Cardiff is an international university - from worldwide collaborations to the students we welcome from over 100 different countries. A Welsh University: The Welsh language is integral not only to our culture and society, but in fostering the economic development of Wales. Further detailed information can be found at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/about SECTION 2 - Scope of Services 2. Introduction Cardiff University (the "University") is undertaking a competitive tender process under the open procedure, in accordance with section 20(2) of the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024 (the "Legislation"). In designing and carrying out this Procurement Process, the University has had regard to the importance of the procurement objectives set out at section 12 of the Procurement Act 2023 to: * deliver value for money; * maximise public benefit; * share information for the purpose of allowing Bidders and others to understand the University's procurement policies and decisions; * act, and be seen to act, with integrity; * treat Bidders the same unless a difference between Bidders justifies different treatment; and * have regard to the fact that SMEs may face particular barriers to participation and consider whether such barriers can be removed or reduced. The University will be running this process as a single-stage open procedure, advertised both on the Central Digital Platform and Sell2Wales. The aim of this Procurement Process is to establish a Framework with a maximum of 3 suppliers to deliver Ad-hoc service requirements and to ensure value for money for money is maintained throughout the framework's term. The requirement will primarily be for ad hoc coach hire requirements including airport pickups. This framework will be for 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years making the framework a maximum of 4 years. The estimated spend is expected to be approximately PS1,600,000 over the 4 years however it is difficult to predict the exact value of the framework as the requirements are expected to change over the framework's term. However, there will be no guarantee of work or volume of work given under this framework. The award of all call off contracts ( Request for Service )under this framework will be either via a direct award using the Schedule of Rates/Fees provided at tender stage or via a further competition inviting all suppliers to participate. Please see Schedule 2 - Specification for further details. All service contracts awarded via direct award or further competition under the framework will be awarded using a purchase order. Bidders are advised that the University believes that the transfer of undertakings (protection of employment) regulations 2006 and/or European Communities acquired rights directive 2001/23EC DOES NOT apply to any Call off Contracts/Requests for Service under this Framework Agreement. 3. Pre-Market Engagement Prospective bidders are invited to provide information regarding their services, with particular emphasis on reliability, customer service, safety, and sustainability. While the University anticipates awarding contracts to a maximum of three suppliers, we welcome feedback and innovative ideas from the market on how this model could operate effectively in practice, including opportunities to reduce costs and maximise commercial value. While the University welcomes feedback and suggestions, it should be noted that we are unable to guarantee that any such contributions will be incorporated into the final tender documentation. Suppliers who choose not to submit a response at this stage will not be disadvantaged or precluded from submitting a proposal at the final tender stage. Likewise, suppliers who do provide a response at this stage will not be treated more favourably.

Planning Information

Prospective bidders are invited to provide information regarding their services, with particular emphasis on reliability, customer service, safety, and sustainability. While the University anticipates awarding contracts to a maximum of three suppliers, we welcome feedback and innovative ideas from the market on how this model could operate effectively in practice, including opportunities to reduce costs and maximise commercial value. While the University welcomes feedback and suggestions, it should be noted that we are unable to guarantee that any such contributions will be incorporated into the final tender documentation. Suppliers who choose not to submit a response at this stage will not be disadvantaged or precluded from submitting a proposal at the final tender stage. Likewise, suppliers who do provide a response at this stage will not be treated more favourably.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069437
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042300-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement 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

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

63515000 - Travel services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

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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