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West Midlands Combined Authority's Bus Franchising Programme Branding

West Midlands Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

08 Sep 2026 at 11:30

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Midlands Combined Authority commissioned branding services for its Bus Franchising Programme, delivered for utility transport buses. The work covers market research, marketing and graphic design services, including the development and application of branding for the programme and its buses. The buying organisation is West Midlands Combined Authority, a sub-central public authority based in Birmingham. The requirement is classified as a services contract and relates to public transport communications and visual identity rather than bus operation, vehicle supply or construction. Activity is associated with the West Midlands and the wider United Kingdom. The contract concerns one completed requirement covering the programme’s branding needs, with the buyer working through its transport-related public authority functions.

The procurement has been awarded and the tender is complete. West Midlands Combined Authority used a below-threshold limited competition under the utilities regime. One supplier was selected: HOW & HOW LTD. The contract was signed and began on 22 June 2026, running until 19 June 2028. Its gross value is £362,551.97. The award covers the single lot for the Bus Franchising Programme branding services. The published outcome identifies market research, marketing and graphic design as the service classifications. The award is active and the contract is active. The procurement was evaluated through the limited competition route; the available outcome data does not state individual scoring criteria or weightings.

This award shows sustained public-sector demand for integrated branding support around bus franchising and utility transport. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need to combine market research, marketing strategy and graphic design, rather than offering only isolated design production. The work is suited to an agency able to develop a coherent public transport brand and apply it consistently across bus-related communications and visual materials. Relevant capability would include understanding passenger-facing transport identities, translating programme objectives into usable branding, and managing a multi-year service relationship with a combined authority. The selected supplier is an SME, indicating that a specialist independent agency can compete for this type of public-sector branding work.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

West Midlands Combined Authority's Bus Franchising Programme Branding

Notice Description

West Midlands Combined Authority's and Transport for West Midlands Bus Franchising Programme Branding services for utilities transport buses.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f456
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084794-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

79342000 - Marketing services

79822500 - Graphic design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£362,551 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Jun 2026 - 19 Jun 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HOW & HOW LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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