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Passenger Transport Services (SEND, Children's Social Care, Adults with Learning Disabilities

Southend-on-Sea City Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Jul 2026 at 09:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Southend-on-Sea City Council, working with Vecteo Limited, plans to appoint provider or providers for passenger transport services. The requirement covers safe, reliable, flexible and high-quality transport for single-passenger journeys, alongside home-to-school and other passenger transport services. It is intended to provide additional resources for journeys involving children with special educational needs and disabilities, children supported by social care, and adults with learning disabilities. Services will be delivered across Essex. The work sits within passenger transport and related social care services, including taxi services, specialist road passenger transport, non-scheduled passenger transport, and vehicles with drivers. Providers will operate in a regulated safeguarding environment and support the council’s statutory duties towards children and vulnerable people.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the council has stated its intention to procure but has not invited tenders. It is planned as a single-lot, above-threshold concession for services, with participation identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The anticipated contract period is from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2034, with a possible extension to 31 December 2036 and renewal rights. The council expects to hold a preliminary market-engagement meeting on Teams on 24 July 2026, from 10:30 to 11:30. Businesses should treat the contract timing and engagement activity as the buyer’s current expectations while preparing for the future procurement. The requirement is being developed for delivery across Essex.

This work is likely to suit passenger transport operators, taxi businesses and specialist providers with the vehicles, drivers and operational capacity to support single-passenger journeys. Strong candidates will be able to provide safe, dependable and flexible services for children with special educational needs and disabilities, children receiving social care, and adults with learning disabilities. Experience of transporting passengers who may require additional support will be relevant, as will the ability to work within a highly regulated safeguarding environment. Suppliers should prepare to demonstrate robust safeguarding practice and compliance with the statutory framework governing education, children’s welfare and care services. The council has identified the requirement as suitable for SMEs, so smaller specialist operators may be well placed to prepare.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Passenger Transport Services (SEND, Children's Social Care, Adults with Learning Disabilities

Notice Description

Southend On Sea City Council (SSC) and Vecteo Limited are seeking to appoint suitably qualified provider(s) to deliver safe, reliable, flexible, and high-quality passenger transport services. SCC and Vecteo Limited has a duty under the Children Act 1989 (amended in 2004) (including all associated Regulations and Guidance) and the Care Standards Act 2000 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. SCC and Vecteo Limited provides transport services for all multi-passenger services for Home to School transport and other journeys. SCC and Vecteo Limited requires additional resources to support services for single passenger journeys throughout Essex. The Provider shall operate in a highly regulated safeguarding environment, delivering services aligned with statutory duties under the Education Act 1996 and Children Act 1989.

Planning Information

The meeting will be held on Teams on the 24 July 2026 (10:30 - 11:30)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cd70
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067524-2026
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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

60120000 - Taxi services

60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

60140000 - Non-scheduled passenger transport

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2034 Over 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
Southend-on-Sea City 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
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA
Postcode
SS2 6FA
Postcode Area
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Delivery Location
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Local Authority
Southend-on-Sea
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Southend East and Rochford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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