Planning

Home to School Transport (Buses)

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 09:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 08:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 May 2026 at 08:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Southwark is in the planning stage for the commissioning of the "Home to School Transport (Buses)" service, primarily focusing on SEND transport services for children and young people. The procurement process is currently at the market engagement stage and invites responses by 11 June 2026. Classified under the "Road transport services" industry category, the planned contract runs from 2028 to 2033, with the possibility of extension until 2035. Located in London, this initiative reflects Southwark's commitment to partnering with reputable service providers to refine the approach for future transport services under a framework agreement, aligned with the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those experienced in road transport services and keen to collaborate with public authorities. SMEs, voluntary sector organisations, and public sector partners such as Local Authority Trading Companies are all considered suitable candidates for engaging in this market insight exercise. The opportunity to inform long-term planning provides a platform for businesses to showcase their capabilities, potentially leading to lucrative contracts in the field of public transport services. This proactive engagement could foster business growth and innovation in service delivery within the local government sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Home to School Transport (Buses)

Notice Description

SEND buses transport service (buses) to take children/young people to and from their place of education. This notice follows on from Pipeline notice: Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-045362 Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-069aff

Planning Information

Please respond by 17:00 11 June 2026 The London Borough of Southwark is developing its strategic commissioning intentions for the future of Home-to-School bus transport services for the borough. The Council is keen to work with leading reputable providers to inform this long-term planning and would like to hear from providers about: • Interest in working with Southwark Council on future opportunities • Their experience of providing services elsewhere • Potential risks, challenges, and issues The Council is considering a range of delivery options including outsourcing and would like to hear from a range of providers including private and voluntary sector organisations, and prospective public sector partners (such as Local Authority Trading Companies.) This notice includes a questionnaire (appendix A) which can be completed by any size of organisation wishing to engage and assist the Council in this market insight stage. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire (appendix A) and submit the response via the messaging service. This is NOT the commencement of a procurement procedure, neither is it a call for expressions of interest. This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services for the Council and the Council is not bound to accept any proposals offered. The Council is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party participating in this soft market testing/sounding exercise. Any procurement of any services by the council in due course will be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. Responses to the questionnaire will be treated confidentially. The council's tenders will be advertised on the Pro-contract portal and the following websites please see links below: • https://procontract.due-north.com • Find a Tender Please respond by 17:00 11 June 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a568
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050145-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic, 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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,200,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Feb 20279 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Apr 2028 - 30 Mar 2033 4-5 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
LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK
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
SE1 2QH
Post Town
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
London Bridge & West Bermondsey
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

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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