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Bus Reform

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Sep 2026 at 14:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is planning to procure transport systems consultancy services for a bus franchising assessment across York and North Yorkshire. The work will develop a franchise proposal drawing on recommendations from the rural franchising pilot and assess that model against alternative options. It will also involve obtaining appropriate data from bus operators, local authorities, partners and other sources to support robust economic, commercial and financial cases. The appointed organisation will lead consultation on the franchise proposal, manage responses and support stakeholder engagement and external communications. It will produce a consultation report and use the findings to inform the final recommendation and decision, including statutory elements required by the Department for Transport for legal compliance.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Combined Authority has stated its intention to procure and is undertaking preliminary market engagement rather than inviting tenders. It expects a single lot, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, with a planned contract period from 28 February 2027 to 27 February 2028. Organisations are asked to provide input through the Bus Reform Request for Information, reference RFI 100114275, with the engagement response expected by 1 October 2026. The anticipated work is a services contract for a franchising assessment. The assessment will need to cover the economic, commercial and financial case, consultation and stakeholder activity, communications, and statutory requirements for a legally compliant recommendation.

The work is likely to suit consultancies and specialist partnerships experienced in bus franchising, public transport reform or transport systems consultancy. Strong candidates will be able to develop and compare franchising models, build robust economic, commercial and financial cases, and acquire, validate and analyse data from operators, councils and other partners. Experience of designing and delivering public consultations, managing responses, engaging stakeholders and producing formal consultation reports will be important. Suppliers should also understand external communications and the statutory requirements governing franchising assessments, including Department for Transport expectations and legal compliance. The procurement is identified as suitable for SMEs, so capable smaller consultancies may be well placed to prepare, either independently or with complementary partners.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Reform

Notice Description

YNYCA is seeking input from organisations with relevant experience in delivering a franchising assessment covering the following aspects: * Development of the franchise proposal based on the recommendations of the rural franchising pilot, and assessment of that model against other options. * Lead on the acquisition of appropriate data from operators, local authorities, partners and other sources to ensure the assessment, including the economic, commercial and financial case, is sufficiently robust. * Lead the consultation on the franchise proposal, including managing responses, supporting in the management of stakeholders, supporting in external communications, producing a consultation report and using that work to inform the final recommendation/decision. * Any other statutory elements of the franchising assessment set out by the Department for Transport to ensure the assessment is legally compliant.

Planning Information

Please find YNYCA PME documents by searching RFI 100114275 - Bus Reform Request for Information. This is available via https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders?B=YORTENDER.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07748a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088276-2026
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71311200 - Transport systems consultancy 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 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Feb 2027 - 27 Feb 2028 6-12 months
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
York and North Yorkshire 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
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6GA
Postcode Area
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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