--- title: "SS15100: 'Kings Hill Connect' bus routes (X1 & X2) - new express Kings Hill to Maidstone bus routes services" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "KENT COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2016-11-18" --- # SS15100: 'Kings Hill Connect' bus routes (X1 & X2) - new express Kings Hill to Maidstone bus routes services Buyer: KENT COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b.json) ## Summary The procurement process, initiated by Kent County Council, focuses on the operation of new express bus services connecting Kings Hill and Maidstone, titled "Kings Hill Connect". This tender falls within the public road transport services industry and is located in the South East of the United Kingdom. The procurement is currently in the Tender stage, with a submission deadline of 19th September 2016. The anticipated contract is set to commence on 1st December 2016 for an initial period of four years, with potential extensions bringing the total duration to five years. The estimated value for this contract ranges from £700,000 to £900,000. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the transport and logistics sector, particularly those specialising in bus and coach hire or public transport services. Companies capable of providing high-capacity vehicles and managing regular scheduled services will be well-suited to compete for this contract. With the Council's commitment to maintaining high service standards and branding, businesses that can demonstrate expertise in operational efficiency and customer service in public transport are encouraged to participate in this procurement process. ## Notice Kent County Council (the Council) is the largest local authority in England covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of over PS1bn on goods and services and a population of 1.3m. The Council provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and 289 parish/town councils. This requirement is for the operation of a subsidised bus service numbered X1 / X2 (branded Kings Hill Connect) that will provide improved links between Kings Hill and Maidstone Town Centre. The 'X1' bus will be an express service from Kings Hill to Maidstone, via West Malling Station. The linked 'X2' route will run between Kings Hill and West Malling station, giving a speedier and more frequent service in this area and acting as a replacement for an existing rail link service, 123. The service will have a 3 peak vehicle requirement and will provide an overall frequency of 2 buses per hour. The vehicles to be used will be provided by the Council. They are high capacity single deck Volvo B7 vehicles that have been fully refurbished. The vehicles will be fully branded as described above. It is anticipated that as part of mobilisation, arrangements will be made for the successful Contractor to inspect these vehicles. In keeping with the intention to provide a high service standard, branding will also be applied to all related publicity and a program of infrastructure improvement is also being progressed. This Contract is to be established as a 'revenue guarantee' contract with all revenue taken by the Contractor (inclusive of cash revenue and reimbursement in lieu of concessionary travel passes) being returned to the Council through an established mechanism. This Contract is anticipated to commence upon 1st December 2016 and will continue for a period of 4 years (48 months) with an option to extend up to a further period of 1 year (12 months) unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract on the Kent Business Portal. Should all possible extensions be taken, the total potential contract term is 5 years (60 months). It is difficult to estimate the value of this Contract as these are new bus routes and also the Council is providing the required vehicles however an estimated value is between PS700,000- PS900,000 (including all possible extensions) but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the Contract. Additional information: Instructions to Suppliers: Expression of Interest and Tender Process Expressions of interest will only be accepted via the Kent Business Portal (kentbusinessportal.org.uk). In order to submit your interest in this opportunity please select on the Kent Business Portal the 'Login and Express an Interest' button. Note that in order to successfully submit your interest you will first need to register for an account. After registration is complete and you've received your login details you should return to the advert for the opportunity and express your interest. You will then be emailed an invitation to submit a tender. Further guidance regarding how to use this portal can be found in the public attachments section on the Kent Business Portal. Questions and Communication Please direct all questions and communication through the Kent Business Portal via the discussions facility. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/122238f4-f529-4272-9573-ea036bebd926 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Nov 2016 | | Submission deadline | 19 Sep 2016 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2016 - 30 Nov 2020 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £900,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | KENT COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | MAIDSTONE | | Post town | Rochester | | Postcode | ME14 1XQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent | | ITL 3 | TLJ45 Mid Kent | | Local authority | Maidstone | | Electoral ward | Penenden Heath | | Westminster constituency | Maidstone and Malling | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60112000 - Public road transport services - 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services - 60140000 - Non-scheduled passenger transport - 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver ## Release History - 18 Nov 2016 at 20:17 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/122238f4-f529-4272-9573-ea036bebd926 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/122238f4-f529-4272-9573-ea036bebd926 16th August 2016 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0a48cf96-adca-11e6-9901-0019b9f3037b.json.