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Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme - Preliminary Market Engagement

Gloucestershire County Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Oct 2026 at 17:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Gloucestershire County Council is exploring a joint shared e-scooter and e-bike hire service, structured as a concession. The proposed service would build on the existing e-scooter trial and consider adding e-bikes, with potential development beyond the current service areas in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham. The council is seeking views on fleet size and service coverage, parking and docking or locking infrastructure, safety and accessibility, operations and performance reporting, environmental benefits, and social and local value. The service would be delivered in Gloucestershire. The planned procurement is for passenger transport services, and the council is testing whether one integrated scheme for both vehicle types can be delivered safely and sustainably.

The process is at planning: the council is carrying out voluntary preliminary market engagement before deciding its procurement approach. It is not an invitation to tender, and there is no contract to bid for at this stage. The council expects any later procurement to use SAP Ariba. Market engagement is scheduled through 16 November 2026, with online or, where feasible, in-person discussions; the next notice is expected on 7 December 2026. The current proposal is a 12-month contract from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028, with up to three further one-year extensions. The stated estimated value is £5 million gross. The council is considering an operator-risk concession and welcomes evidence on sustainable commercial models; it is not seeking priced tenders or detailed financial models during engagement.

This engagement is particularly relevant to established micromobility operators, especially those able to run shared e-scooter and e-bike services as an integrated concession. The council wants practical evidence on fleet and service-area planning, infrastructure, mobilisation and continuity of the existing e-scooter service, and how to manage public safety, events, night-time activity and anti-social behaviour. Suppliers with experience of accessible customer journeys, operational data and performance reporting, information governance, environmental performance and measurable mode shift can help shape the service requirements. It also seeks insight into operator-risk commercial models and the legal, regulatory and third-party dependencies that could affect delivery. Businesses should distinguish proven capabilities from planned developments and identify any approvals required. Participation is voluntary, carries supplier costs and gives no advantage or disadvantage in a later competition; SAP Business Network registration is encouraged for any future procurement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme - Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Description

Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme - Preliminary Market Engagement Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement in relation to the proposed Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Scheme. The Council is seeking evidence-based feedback from experienced micromobility operators and other relevant market participants to help test whether the proposed requirements are safe, deliverable, commercially sustainable and capable of delivering measurable public value. This engagement will inform the Council's development of the proposed procurement approach, specification, commercial model, contract arrangements and associated procurement documentation before any subsequent formal procurement process is commenced. GCC is particularly interested in market feedback on: - realistic fleet ranges and potential service areas; - the deliverability of an integrated e-scooter and e-bike concession; - parking, docking/locking and associated infrastructure requirements; - commercially sustainable operating and revenue models; - mobilisation requirements and continuity of the existing e-scooter service; - rider, pedestrian and wider public safety; - management of events, the night-time economy and anti-social behaviour; - accessibility and inclusive customer journeys; - operational data, reporting, information governance and appropriate performance measures; - environmental performance, mode shift and carbon benefits; - social value and wider local benefits; and - appropriate procurement and mobilisation timescales. The existing e-scooter trial includes areas within Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham districts. As part of this engagement, GCC is interested in understanding the potential for development of the existing service and the introduction of e-bikes, together with the evidence that should inform consideration of any future expansion into other locations. The Council is also seeking market feedback on the commercial viability of an operator-risk concession and the factors that should inform the eventual commercial model. Suppliers are not being asked to provide a priced tender, detailed financial model, profit or cash-flow information as part of this Preliminary Market Engagement. The current proposition being tested includes an initial 12-month contract term with the potential for up to three further one-year extensions, subject to the applicable legal and regulatory position, satisfactory performance and evidence of demand for wider provision across Gloucestershire. How to participate Interested organisations should review the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation and accompanying draft specification and register their interest in participating in the engagement. Registration for the Preliminary Market Engagement is available through the following Microsoft Form: [PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE - GLOUCESTERSHIRE E-SCOOTER AND E-BIKE SCHEME](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VMeuX-NkFECbzOcvxzujEtPtdVhaRXJCia8wv4VzAA9UMUxFN0xSTEVQNFJDOElLR04xQ1ZGUTg1NC4u&route=shorturl) Suppliers should identify relevant assumptions, dependencies and legal or regulatory constraints and, where possible, provide supporting evidence. Responses should also distinguish between established capability, proposed developments and matters that would require third-party or regulatory approval. Market engagement may include online Microsoft Teams sessions and, where feasible, face-to-face sessions at Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester. Further joining information will be provided following registration. SAP Business Network Gloucestershire County Council intends to conduct any subsequent procurement through SAP Ariba. Organisations interested in participating in the future procurement are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure they are registered on the SAP Business Network in advance. Suppliers who have not completed the required registration may be unable to access tender documentation, submit a tender response or receive procurement correspondence through the designated channels when the future opportunity is published. Organisations requiring support with SAP Business Network registration should contact GCC Commercial Services at CommercialServicesCentralMailbox@gloucestershire.gov.uk. or at elela.attah@gloucestershire.gov.uk to follow up. **Important notice** Participation in this Preliminary Market Engagement is voluntary. This exercise is not a call for competition or an invitation to tender and does not create any commitment by Gloucestershire County Council to commence a procurement or award a contract. Participation or non-participation will not confer an advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement. Respondents are responsible for their own costs of participating. GCC may use information received through the engagement to refine its procurement strategy, specification, commercial model, contract terms, evaluation approach and timetable. If commercially sensitive information is included in your organisations response, please ensure that it is clearly identified.

Planning Information

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement in advance of a proposed procurement for the Gloucestershire Joint E-Scooter and E-Bike Hire Scheme. GCC wishes to engage with experienced micromobility operators and other relevant market participants before finalising its procurement strategy, commercial model, service requirements and associated procurement documentation. Registration and participation Organisations interested in participating in this Preliminary Market Engagement should register their interest by completing the following Microsoft Form: [PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT REGISTRATION FORM - GLOUCESTERSHIRE E-SCOOTER AND E-BIKE SCHEME](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VMeuX-NkFECbzOcvxzujEtPtdVhaRXJCia8wv4VzAA9UMUxFN0xSTEVQNFJDOElLR04xQ1ZGUTg1NC4u&route=shorturl) The registration process enables interested organisations to provide their contact details and indicate their availability for the proposed market engagement sessions. Interested organisations should review the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation made available through SAP Ariba. The documentation sets out GCC's current proposals for the scheme, together with the areas and questions on which the Council is seeking market feedback. Suppliers are invited to provide evidence-based feedback on the proposed scheme, including the deliverability of an integrated e-scooter and e-bike concession; fleet and potential service areas; parking and associated infrastructure; commercial viability and potential commercial models; mobilisation and continuity arrangements; rider, pedestrian and public safety; accessibility and inclusive service provision; operational data and performance measures; environmental performance and mode shift; and opportunities to deliver wider social and local value. Market engagement sessions will provide interested operators with an opportunity to discuss the proposed scheme with GCC and provide relevant market insight. Suppliers should indicate their availability for the proposed engagement sessions through the registration process via the MS form. Suppliers should provide their substantive written responses to the Preliminary Market Engagement questions through the designated SAP Ariba event in accordance with the instructions contained within the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation which you will receive upon registration of SAP Business Network and completion of the MS form. SAP Business Network Registration Gloucestershire County Council uses SAP Ariba and the SAP Business Network to manage its procurement opportunities and supplier communications. Suppliers who are not already registered on the SAP Business Network should ensure that they complete their registration. Suppliers who do not register may be unable to access the tender opportunity and associated procurement documentation, submit a tender response, or receive procurement correspondence through the Council's designated procurement channels. For assistance with registering on SAP Ariba / the SAP Business Network, suppliers should contact Gloucestershire County Council's Commercial Services team at CommercialServicesCentralMailbox@gloucestershire.gov.uk. Suppliers are strongly encouraged to complete their SAP Business Network registration in advance of any subsequent procurement opportunity to ensure that they are able to access and participate in the procurement when it is published. Participation in this Preliminary Market Engagement is voluntary. This exercise is not a call for competition or an invitation to tender and does not create any commitment by GCC to commence a procurement or award a contract. Participation or non-participation in the engagement will not confer an advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078f97
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100745-2026
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)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 Dec 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2027 - 1 Jul 2028 1-2 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
Gloucestershire County 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
GLOUCESTER
Postcode
GL1 2TG
Postcode Area
Gloucester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK73 Gloucestershire CC
Delivery Location
TLK13 Gloucestershire CC
Local Authority
Gloucester
Electoral Ward
Westgate
Westminster Constituency
Gloucester

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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