Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

November 2026 Subsidised Bus Tenders

West Midlands Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 17:00

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Midlands Combined Authority is procuring sixteen subsidised local bus service contracts across the West Midlands. The contracts are intended to maintain continuity of socially necessary passenger transport services, covering local scheduled bus operations and associated road transport services. Suppliers may bid for one or more contracts, making this relevant to bus operators and transport providers able to deliver passenger services in the West Midlands. The buying organisation is the West Midlands Combined Authority, based in Birmingham. The requirement concerns operational bus services rather than vehicle supply, construction or consultancy. Businesses should therefore have the operational capability to run local passenger routes and support continuity of service across the specified area.

The procurement has reached tender: the Authority invited offers through an Open Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Enquiries had to be submitted by 18 August 2026 at 23:59, and offers by 26 August 2026 at 12:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 November 2026 to 23 October 2027, with renewal provisions. One contract has two mutual extension options of up to 39 weeks and 35 weeks, potentially extending it to 24 March 2029. The estimated value is £4,587,147 excluding VAT, or £5,504,576.40 including VAT. The opportunity is divided into sixteen contracts, and the award decision is due by 25 September 2026 at 23:59:59. Evaluation is based entirely on commercial price. Electronic submission is allowed in English.

This opportunity suits established local bus operators and smaller or voluntary, community and social-enterprise transport providers that can demonstrate reliable passenger-service delivery. Suppliers must pass an economic and financial standing assessment using the Financial Risk Self-Assessment Tool and any related financial due diligence. Operators without Smartcard readers already installed must confirm that they can install them by the contract start date; failure to make that commitment fails the participation conditions. The Authority’s terms and conditions are non-negotiable, so bidders need the capacity to accept and operate under the proposed contract without changes. Relevant experience in maintaining punctual, viable bus services will help suppliers manage risks from highway conditions, cost inflation and changing travel demand.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

November 2026 Subsidised Bus Tenders

Notice Description

Provision of sixteen (16) subsidised local bus service contracts across the West Midlands to ensure continuity of socially necessary passenger transport services from 1 November 2026. The procurement is being conducted through an Open Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and suppliers may bid for one or more contracts.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One contract (T0715) includes two mutual extension options of up to 39 weeks and 35 weeks respectively, extending the contract to a maximum end date of 24 March 2029. Extension Option 1: up to 22 July 2028 Extension Option 2: up to 24 March 2029

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d94b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072910-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender 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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,587,147 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,587,147 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 23 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
West Midlands Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

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.

Loading OCDS record...