Notice Information
Notice Title
Driver Quality Monitoring 2026
Notice Description
Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to a potential future procurement for Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM) Services for London buses. DQM provides TfL with independent and objective assessments of bus driving standards across the London bus network. The service involves assessors travelling covertly on buses while they are in service and assessing driver performance against defined criteria covering passenger consideration, driving ability and other safety-related matters. The indicative requirement includes approximately 7,700 assessments per year, use of suitably qualified and trained assessors, a web-based or mobile assessment solution, data management and reporting capability, daily updates, operator notifications, escalation of serious safety findings, quality assurance, performance reporting and related contract management activities. The purpose of this engagement is to understand market interest, delivery capacity, potential service models, technology options, pricing structures, mobilisation requirements and any barriers that may affect competition. Feedback received may be used to inform the final specification, commercial model, evaluation approach and procurement strategy. TfL is issuing a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) to a broad range of suppliers. This notice is published in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. This exercise does not constitute a formal procurement process and does not commit TfL to any subsequent procurement activity.
Planning Information
TfL is conducting preliminary market engagement through a Market Sounding Questionnaire to understand current market interest, capability and capacity for the provision of Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM) Services for London buses. The engagement period commences on 11 June 2026 and will close at 5pm on 3 July 2026, following the deadline for receipt of questionnaire responses. Clarification questions may be submitted until 5pm on 19 June 2026 and TfL intends to issue responses by 26 June 2026. This exercise is for market engagement only and does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to procure. TfL may, at its discretion, undertake further engagement with suppliers after reviewing the responses received. Please reach out to BayoAkinyemi@tfl.gov.uk to obtain a copy of the MSQ document. Both clarification questions and responses should be submitted via email to BayoAkinyemi@tfl.gov.uk
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-069989
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055233-2026
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- 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
-
- CPV Codes
80000000 - Education and training services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 11 Jun 20261 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 21 Jul 2026Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2030 3-4 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planned
- Lots Status
- Planned
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
- Contact Name
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Email
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Phone
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Buyer Location
- Locality
- LONDON
- Postcode
- E20 1JN
- Post Town
- East London
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLI London
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLI4 Inner London - East
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLI41 Hackney and Newham
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Newham
- Electoral Ward
- Stratford Olympic Park
- Westminster Constituency
- Stratford and Bow
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055233-2026
11th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044705-2026
14th May 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
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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