This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

26 May 2026 at 12:22

PlanningUpdate

14 May 2026 at 09:33

PlanningUpdate

14 May 2026 at 07:21

Planning

08 May 2026 at 14:26

Planning

08 May 2026 at 10:39

Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council, located in Ipswich, UK, is planning a public procurement process for the Suffolk E-Scooter & E-Bike Rental Scheme. This project aims to establish a series of micro-mobility services, including e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-cargo bikes, to enhance transportation across Suffolk, with initial efforts focused on Ipswich. This initiative is currently at the planning stage with a market engagement due date on 18th June 2026. Interested suppliers should register by emailing Alison Huxley before specific deadlines set for early June 2026. The procurement is valued at approximately £4.38 million net (£5.26 million gross) and will likely be financed mainly through its operations, under a concession regime, with the procurement process to be conducted as an open procedure.

This tender opens significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in sustainable transport solutions, electric vehicles, and micromobility services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, given the project's suitability clauses. By becoming the appointed operator, a company can drive revenue through managing operations, maintenance, and customer services for the rental scheme, potentially enhancing brand presence in a growing industry. This offers a remarkable opportunity for dynamic companies aiming to expand within the public transport and green mobility sectors. The project’s scope for renewal and its planned operation till 2029, with a possibility to extend until 2032, ensures a long-term engagement platform for the selected provider.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Suffolk E-Scooter & E- Bike Rental Scheme

Notice Description

Suffolk County Council has recently been granted provisional approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) to take part in the government's e-scooter trials. As a result we are intending to set up a micro mobility scheme which will launch in the town of Ipswich - and extend over time to help connect other areas of Suffolk. It is envisaged that the scheme will include rental services for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes as well as e-scooters. We plan to appoint a commercial operator to deliver the scheme, which we anticipate will be largely self-financing and cover all of the assets, operations, maintenance and customer service functions required.

Planning Information

The aims of the market engagement are to: • Understand the level of market interest in the proposed procurement. • Identify potential suppliers. • Provide a high-level overview of the project and its objectives; • Gather market feedback on the initial draft scope of services and proposed delivery model. Suppliers are invited to: i) Register their interest and receive access to our Briefing Pack by emailing alison.huxley@suffolk.gov.uk no later than Thursday 4th June. ii) Review the high level Scope of Services for our scheme (included in Briefing Pack). iii) Provide feedback on our proposals by completing the Supplier Questionnaire (included in Briefing Pack) no later than Friday 12th June. iv) Request an optional virtual meeting (of no longer than 45 minutes) with the Suffolk County Council project team to discuss their service offer and/or ask any follow-up questions. Please contact alison.huxley@suffolk.gov.uk no later than Friday 12th June to request a slot (providing email contacts for your attendees).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069478
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048749-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

34144900 - Electric vehicles

34430000 - Bicycles

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,380,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 3 Jan 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUFFOLK COUNTY 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC

Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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