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Contract Details Notice - Coach Framework

Cardiff University

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

08 Sep 2026 at 08:49

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

07 Sep 2026 at 21:01

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

18 Aug 2026 at 08:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

29 May 2026 at 15:03

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

08 May 2026 at 09:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University procured passenger transport services with drivers under a three-supplier coach framework. The requirement covers three service areas in Cardiff and the surrounding university operating area: ad hoc coach hire, including fixed-term bookings; collection of students arriving at Heathrow Airport; and smaller transport requirements using a minibus and driver. The buying organisation is Cardiff University, with services delivered in Cardiff. The procurement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The framework uses a rate-card approach, with pricing fixed for its first two years, and is intended to support the University’s varied passenger transport needs. The service category is coach and bus hire with driver, including passenger transport vehicle hire.

The procurement is complete and contracts have been awarded and signed. Cardiff University used an above-threshold open procedure for a closed framework with up to three participants, allowing call-offs with or without reopening competition. Awards were made on 17 August 2026. Lot 1, ad hoc coach hire, was awarded to Gwyn Jones, Edwards Coaches and KEEPINGS COACHES LTD for £920,000 net (£1,104,000 gross), with a contract signed on 27 August 2026 for 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2028, extendable to 31 August 2030. Lot 2, international arrivals, was awarded to Gwyn Jones, Edwards Coaches and THE KINGS FERRY LIMITED for £80,000 net (£96,000 gross), for the same period. Lot 3, minibus hire, was awarded to Gwyn Jones, Edwards Coaches and KEEPINGS COACHES LTD for £40,000 net (£48,000 gross); its signed contract value is £20,000 net (£24,000 gross), for the same period. Price counted for 60%, quality 30% and responsible procurement 10%.

This award shows sustained demand from Cardiff University for several forms of professionally operated passenger transport: larger ad hoc coach work, airport collections and minibus provision. A credible future competitor would need dependable vehicles and drivers, strong operational coordination for both planned and short-notice journeys, and the capacity to serve different vehicle sizes and booking patterns. Passenger safety, reliability, roadworthiness, safeguarding, customer service and compliance with relevant UK legislation are central requirements. Environmental and wider responsible-procurement performance also matters, rather than price alone. The successful supplier profile includes established local or regional coach operators, including SMEs, able to provide consistent service across Cardiff and support university passengers professionally. Experience of airport transfers, fixed-term transport arrangements and flexible call-off work would be directly relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Contract Details Notice - Coach Framework

Notice Description

Contract Details Notice - Cardiff University Coach Framework

Lot Information

Coach Hire

Ad-hoc Services (including fixed term contracts)

Renewal: Contract Extensions

International Arrivals

Collect students from Heathrow Airport

Renewal: Optional Extension

Min-Bus

For smaller transport requirements where only a mini-bus plus driver is required.

Renewal: Optional Extensions

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/084687-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, 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

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,120,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,040,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,020,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
29 May 2026Expired
Award Date
17 Aug 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2030-05-03

Notice Status

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

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
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

Gwyn Jones

Edwards Coaches Ltd

KEEPINGS COACHES LTD

THE KINGS FERRY LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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