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Bus Services Framework

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

05 Oct 2026 at 13:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

25 Aug 2026 at 10:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Aug 2026 at 16:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus) is procuring passenger transport services across North East England through a bus services framework. The scope covers supported local bus routes, school, college and works transport, taxibus and demand-responsive services, community and accessible transport, Metro and ferry replacement, seasonal and special-event services, and short-term emergency bus provision. Call-off work may cover individual routes, route packages, geographic areas or service tranches. The framework also includes access for eligible partner public bodies to arrange their own passenger transport services. The requirement suits bus and passenger transport operators with the vehicles, people and operating capability to deliver one or more of these varied services. The procurement is for services, including transport services (CPV 60000000).

Nexus invited offers using a selective competitive flexible procedure, with the qualification questionnaire and tender issued together. Qualification is pass/fail; suppliers passing proceed to evaluation for framework appointment. The expression-of-interest deadline was 30 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC. The framework is planned to run from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2031, with an initial three-year term and an option to extend by up to 24 months. Its estimated value is £200 million excluding VAT (£240 million including VAT). It has eight lots: secured local bus services (£115m); schools and works transport (£45m); taxibus (£1m); demand-responsive and community transport (£5m); Metro and ferry replacement (£25m); events and seasonal services (£2m); emergency bus services (£5m); and partner organisation access (£2m). Evaluation covers core quality and social value, weighted 80% and 20% respectively. Future call-offs may use mini-competitions or, for defined urgent needs, controlled direct awards.

The framework offers potential access to recurring call-off work across a broad range of passenger transport needs, but appointment alone does not guarantee contracts. It is relevant to operators able to deliver the particular service types they pursue, from larger route networks and school transport to smaller-vehicle taxibus, accessible community transport, event services or rapid replacement provision. Applicants must demonstrate legal, financial, regulatory and technical capability to pass the qualification stage. Tender responses are also assessed for operational delivery, quality and social value; suppliers should be prepared to evidence a credible service model and meaningful social value commitments. Call-offs generally involve competition on service-specific price and any required quality responses, so suppliers need the capacity to price and mobilise individual requirements. Emergency work may use pre-agreed rates or short-form competition. A 1% management charge applies to call-offs awarded by participating authorities other than Nexus.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Services Framework

Notice Description

The proposed Bus Services Framework is being established to support the future procurement of a wide range of bus and passenger transport services. These include secured local bus services, schools and works transport, group travel, seasonal services, Metro replacement services, and other operational or emergency transport requirements. The framework will operate as a closed framework agreement for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend for up to 24 months. The total estimated framework value is up to PS200 million across the potential five-year term. Nexus currently spends around PS20 million each year on bus service contracts procured through a number of separate tendering exercises. The new framework aims to provide a more efficient and flexible procurement route, reducing the need for repeated procurements while maintaining competition and supporting effective service delivery.

Lot Information

Secured Local Bus Services

Provision of secured local bus services, including supported routes, socially necessary services, evening and Sunday services, network links, and other tendered bus operations. Call-offs may be awarded for individual routes, route packages, geographic areas, or service tranches.

Schools and Works Transport Services

Provision of dedicated school, college, works and education-related transport services, including home-to-school transport, scholar services, academic-year contracts, and associated route requirements.

Taxibus Services

Provision of fixed-route and timetabled Taxibus services using smaller vehicles such as taxis, private hire vehicles, MPVs, or accessible minibuses operated as registered local bus services.

Demand Responsive, Community and Flexible Transport Services

Provision of demand responsive, community, accessible and flexible transport services, including feeder services, rural transport, community transport operations, mobility pilots and specialist passenger transport solutions.

Metro and Ferry Replacement Services

Provision of planned and unplanned emergency replacement transport services to support disruption, engineering works, maintenance programmes and operational incidents affecting Metro and Ferry services. Call-offs may be awarded by direct award using the ranked supplier selection mechanism detailed in the ITT, or through a short-form mini-competition requiring suppliers to submit requirement-specific pricing.

Special Events, Seasonal and Partner-Funded Services

Provision of transport services for special events, seasonal requirements, Boxing Day operations, park-and-ride services and other services funded by partner organisations, employers, educational institutions or public bodies.

Emergency Bus Services

Provision of short-term emergency replacement bus services required to maintain bus service continuity. Call-offs may be awarded by direct award using the ranked supplier selection mechanism detailed in the ITT, or through a short-form mini-competition requiring suppliers to submit requirement-specific pricing.

Partner Organisation Access Lot

Access route for eligible partner organisations to procure their own passenger transport services through the framework, including bus, school, replacement, community and event transport requirements, in accordance with the framework rules and access arrangements.

Planning Information

Nexus Bus Services Framework: Pre-Market Engagement (PME) Nexus is undertaking pre-market engagement with bus operators and other interested suppliers to inform the development of a new Bus Services Framework, with an anticipated value of up to £200 million over five years. The framework is intended to support the procurement of secured local bus services, schools and works transport, taxibus services, demand responsive transport, replacement services, special events services and emergency bus provision. The purpose of this engagement is to seek supplier feedback on the proposed framework structure, lotting model, contract lengths, framework entry requirements, call-off processes, evaluation methodology, social value requirements, contract management arrangements and vehicle specification standards. Feedback received will be used to help refine the final procurement strategy and procurement documents. Engagement Event - Supplier PME Session Date: 24 August 2026 Location: Online supplier engagement session Attendees: Bus operators and other relevant transport service providers Scope of Engagement: Nexus is seeking feedback on: The overall attractiveness and deliverability of the proposed framework model. The proposed eight-lot structure covering a range of bus and transport services. Appropriate contract lengths and extension arrangements. Framework qualification requirements and proportionality of selection criteria. Mini-competition and direct award arrangements. Quality, price and social value evaluation methodologies. Key performance indicators, contract remedies and supplier relationship management. SME accessibility and barriers to participation. Future vehicle requirements, including potential adoption of Euro 6 minimum standards and enhanced accessibility requirements. Procurement Timetable (Indicative) Subject to consideration of market feedback, Nexus currently anticipates: Release of PSQ and ITT documents: 1 to 11 September 2026 Supplier clarification period: September 2026 Tender return deadline: Expected between 9 and 16 October 2026 Framework evaluation and appointments: October to November 2026 Expected Market Feedback Nexus expects market feedback to focus on: Whether the proposed framework structure is commercially attractive and workable. Appropriate framework and call-off contract durations to support investment and value for money. Suitability of the proposed lotting arrangements. Measures to support SME participation. Framework operating model, including mini-competition and emergency call-off mechanisms. Proportionate evaluation criteria and social value requirements. Mobilisation risks, operational challenges and contract management approaches. Vehicle and accessibility standards for future service delivery. Feedback and Clarification Questions: Following the supplier engagement session, suppliers are invited to complete and return the market engagement questionnaire, providing comments and recommendations on the proposed framework approach. Clarification questions should be submitted in writing and responses may be shared with all interested parties where appropriate to ensure transparency and equal treatment. Participation in this engagement exercise does not form part of any formal procurement process and will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement. Feedback received will be considered by Nexus in finalising the procurement documentation before issuing the formal tender opportunity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06eafa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093829-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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

34120000 - Motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2031 Over 5 years
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
Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5DE
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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