--- title: "Early Market Engagement - UEA Coach and Minibus Framework" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA" published: "2025-11-28" --- # Early Market Engagement - UEA Coach and Minibus Framework Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7.json) ## Summary The University of East Anglia (UEA) is conducting an early market engagement for a Coach and Minibus Framework, aimed at servicing its transportation needs across multiple departments. This procurement process, currently in the planning stage, is categorised under the "Minibuses" industry and is set to take place in the East of England, United Kingdom. The engagement is scheduled to conclude on 8th December 2025. The UEA intends to establish a framework contract divided into two lots—coach and minibus—expecting to appoint around five suppliers per lot, with the possibility for suppliers to secure positions in both. This is not a call to competition but an opportunity for market consultation to influence future procurement processes. This tender opportunity represents a significant growth avenue for businesses specialising in passenger transport services, particularly those capable of meeting specific requirements such as reliable, safe, and compliant road transport services. SMEs are especially encouraged to participate, as the UEA seeks to gather insights and feedback from local suppliers to shape the final tendering process. Companies with experience in providing transport solutions, equipped with a valid Operator Licence, and that meet the insurance and professional standards criteria outlined by the UEA, are ideally suited to partake in this process. This engagement not only opens doors for service provision but also allows suppliers to influence the procurement specifications to better align with market capabilities. ## Notice The University of East Anglia have a requirement for the transportation of Students, Faculty Staff, Guests, Sports Teams and Business professionals throughout the academic year, to a number of local and national destinations. The UEA intend to award a framework contract composed of two lots, coach and minibus, and we expect around 5 suppliers per lot. Suppliers can be awarded a place in both lots. The purpose of the request is to explore the range of available options for potential future service delivery and to gather feedback, in particular from the local SME market. This engagement will help inform our approach to any potential future procurement and ensure that it is shaped by a clear understanding of market capabilities, innovations, and capacity. *** This is not a call for competition or an invitation to tender. This is an invitation to participate in a market consultation exercise in relation to the provision of Coach and Minibus services. *** Key Service Requirements include, providing reliable road transport services across multiple UEA departments, allocating a suitable vehicle for each booking and ensure service is prompt, safe and compliant. Operators must hold valid Operator Licence and maintain at least Amber DVSA OCRS rating, notifying UEA of any changes. Expected mandatory insurance minimums are PS2m Public Liability and PS10m Employers' Liability. Drivers will be expected to hold correct licences and CPC, undergo 6-monthly licence checks and yearly DVLA verification, have DBS clearance and meet professional standards. Additional information: The UEA is interested in responses from suppliers that can provide, directly or via a framework consortium, a coach and minibus service suitable for the UEA's specification of requirements. Please complete the MS Form found here: https://forms.office.com/e/MsEUaE9ewv. We expect this to take around 20-30 minutes and responses will be consolidated at the end of the day, Monday 8th December. We value your contribution to the shaping of the next iteration of the contract. Thank you! ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f5d236fd-edb7-4612-b662-e49b59dfbe10 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 28 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 8 Dec 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA | | Locality | NORWICH | | Post town | Norwich | | Postcode | NR4 7TJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH5 Norfolk | | ITL 3 | TLH51 Norwich and East Norfolk | | Local authority | Norwich | | Electoral ward | University | | Westminster constituency | Norwich South | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 34114400 - Minibuses - 34115200 - Motor vehicles for the transport of fewer than 10 persons - 34120000 - Motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons - 60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver ## Release History - 28 Nov 2025 at 09:36 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f5d236fd-edb7-4612-b662-e49b59dfbe10 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f5d236fd-edb7-4612-b662-e49b59dfbe10 28th November 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://forms.office.com/e/MsEUaE9ewv ## 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-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-91393bc0-03ee-4f11-a841-2f6cba53bdd7.json.