Planning

Framework Agreement for Ad-Hoc Minibus & Coach Provision

NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Sep 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

North Lanarkshire Council is at the planning stage of a procurement process for a Framework Agreement for Ad-Hoc Minibus & Coach Provision, with a focus on delivering supplementary passenger transport services. This procurement falls under the services industry category and targets a regional or local authority. The location for the delivery of these services is North Lanarkshire, UK, and it is a project valued at £2,000,000. Interested contractors should submit expressions of interest by 8 October 2025, with a formal notice anticipated on 24 October 2025. The pre-market engagement phase aims to gather insights to shape the procurement strategy, ensuring businesses meet the council's requirements, such as safety, environmental consideration, and financial stability.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in flexible, on-demand passenger transport, particularly those with experience in school trips, community events, and supporting pupils with additional needs. Companies that can demonstrate a commitment to safety, environmental sustainability, financial reliability, and compliance with transport regulations will find this opportunity beneficial. The framework anticipates involving multiple suppliers, providing openings for businesses with sufficient fleet sizes and operational capabilities. This initiative serves as a platform for businesses, particularly those holding a PSV Operator’s Licence, to establish themselves within the local governmental transport services, fostering growth and strengthening their market presence.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for Ad-Hoc Minibus & Coach Provision

Notice Description

North Lanarkshire Council requires the provision of passenger transport services to supplement its existing arrangements managed by Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) for school pupil transport (drop-offs and pickups before and after the school day), and transport for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN). Contractors interested in participating in the opportunity should be able to demonstrate the following: Proven experience in delivering flexible, on-demand passenger transport services, including school trips and community events. Commitment to safety, including a strong health and safety record, robust safeguarding practices, and compliance with all relevant transport regulations. Environmental awareness, with efforts to reduce emissions and adopt sustainable transport practices where possible. Financial stability, with the ability to deliver services reliably and within agreed budgets. Appropriate insurance cover, including public liability and employer's liability aligned with the scale and nature of operations. Interested Contractors should review this Prior Information Notice in full and follow instructions stated to the Additional Information section to aid the council in developing this requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

To supplement the Council's internal transport arrangements and fleet, multiple external operators are currently engaged on an ad hoc basis to meet transport requirements for schools and other services. The Council seeks to streamline the current approach by appointing contractors to deliver required services under a formal agreement. This will improve consistency and ensure compliance with statutory obligations. The Council requires service quality to be maintained at a high level, with punctuality, safety, and accessibility prioritised. To meet this need, the Council intends to establish a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework arrangement with minibus and coach companies with a sufficient fleet size to undertake service delivery. This approach should support a range of transport requirements, including (but not limited to) minibus and coach hire on an ad hoc basis to deliver education curriculum and school outings, integrated day support services etc. The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 will require all individuals appointed to either arrangement to hold PVG" membership as a legal requirement for all regulated roles. Operators must hold a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence for carrying passengers for hire or reward. Drivers need the correct PCV licence and Driver CPC certification. Vehicles must comply with Construction and Use Regulations and be maintained to DVSA standards Performance monitoring arrangements will be implemented to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement. North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors to participate in a procurement exercise for a framework agreement to undertaken.. The Councils lot structure is still to be determined with this market engagement exercise anticipated to assist with this process. Interested Contractors should review this Prior Information Notice in full and follow instructions stated to the Additional Information section to aid the council in developing this requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000810370
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539485
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
corporateprocurement@northlan.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MOTHERWELL
Postcode
ML1 1AB
Post Town
Motherwell
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM34 North Lanarkshire
Delivery Location
TLM84 North Lanarkshire

Local Authority
North Lanarkshire
Electoral Ward
Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig
Westminster Constituency
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=SEP539485&idx=1
    18th September 2025 - Market Questionnaire QR Access Code - Minibus & Coaches
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539485
    Framework Agreement for Ad-Hoc Minibus & Coach Provision - North Lanarkshire Council requires the provision of passenger transport services to supplement its existing arrangements managed by Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) for school pupil transport (drop-offs and pickups before and after the school day), and transport for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN). Contractors interested in participating in the opportunity should be able to demonstrate the following: Proven experience in delivering flexible, on-demand passenger transport services, including school trips and community events. Commitment to safety, including a strong health and safety record, robust safeguarding practices, and compliance with all relevant transport regulations. Environmental awareness, with efforts to reduce emissions and adopt sustainable transport practices where possible. Financial stability, with the ability to deliver services reliably and within agreed budgets. Appropriate insurance cover, including public liability and employer's liability aligned with the scale and nature of operations. Interested Contractors should review this Prior Information Notice in full and follow instructions stated to the Additional Information section to aid the council in developing this requirement.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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