--- title: "BUZZ 42 Bus Service" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "READING BOROUGH COUNCIL" published: "2023-10-06" --- # BUZZ 42 Bus Service Buyer: READING BOROUGH COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca.json) ## Summary The Reading Borough Council is inviting tenders for the BUZZ 42 Bus Service, part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The contract, with an estimated value ranging from £671,000 to £1.2 million, aims to enhance the existing service by extending the route and increasing service frequency, starting on 2nd January 2024. Businesses interested in providing public road transport services in the South East should consider bidding for either or both Lots, as the Council intends to award to one Lot only based on budget and submitted prices. This tender presents an opportunity for service providers to participate in a competitive process to secure a contract with the Reading Borough Council. Businesses specialised in road transport services, particularly those experienced in public bus operations, are encouraged to engage. The procurement process, currently in the Tender stage with a deadline for submissions on 6th November 2023, offers SMEs a chance to showcase their capabilities in delivering bus services compliant with Traffic Commissioner regulations. ## Notice Reading Borough Council (RBC) is inviting tenders from suitably qualified operators for the provision of the BUZZ 42 public Bus Service. The current BUZZ 42 service runs from Kenavon Drive to Rivermead and is in operation from Monday to Saturday from approximately 0600 (0700 on Saturday) to approximately 1915. The current service and timetable represents the base service for this contract and will be the minimum level of service to be provided by the operator throughout the contract period. RBC has secured funding to deliver an enhanced Buzz 42 service as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The enhanced service will consist of an extended route to include additional stops in Tilehurst, a more frequent service that includes a Sunday service. It is anticipated that the enhanced service will be delivered using either a two or three bus timetable. Given the two delivery options, this tender is offered over two Lots as follows: - Lot 1 - the base service with an enhanced service delivered using a two bus service. - Lot 2 - the base service with an enhanced service delivered using a three bus service. RBC has lotted this tender in order obtain prices for both route options via a competitive process. RBC intends to award to one Lot only. Lot selection will depend on the prices submitted during the tender process and the level of budget available. Bidders can submit bids for either or both Lots, although RBC would like to encourage bidders to consider submitting a bid for both Lots. Each Lot is offered on a gross cost basis. The Bus Service must comply with all regulations for Bus provision as covered under the operator's licence provided by the Traffic Commissioner. The contract is estimated to start on 2nd January 2024 and will run for an initial term that expires on 1st January 2027, with the option to extend by up to 2 further years in increments to be agreed. The value of this contract is estimated to be in the region of PS671,000 to PS1.2million, depending on the Lot selected and the take up of extensions. Additional information: Organisations interested in expressing an interest in this procurement should download the procurement documents which are available on the Council's e-tendering ortal at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home and complete as instructed. The Portal is free of charge - to register please follow the supplier registration guidance which is available on the Portal. Contractors wishing to be considered for this tendering opportunity must complete the tender documents and return them electronically via the Council's e-tendering portal. Please note: you must register your interest via the Council's e-tendering portal if you intend to submit a tender. All communications regarding this procurement exercise will be conducted through the Council's e-tendering portal including requests for clarifications or general enquiries. The procurement documents will be available for download up until the closing time and date for tender submissions; it is the organisation's responsibility to ensure that they download the documents in ample time to ensure that they can be completed and returned electronically, along with supporting documents, prior to the closing time and date stipulated. Before completing the tender, Bidders should ensure that the e-mail address that has been used to register their organisation will be checked regularly, as the Council's e-tendering system will generate automatic notifications to this e-mail address when there are updates, changes or messages sent relating to the project. Bidders should also check that their organisation's details are correct and kept up to date. Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk - e-mail: support@in-tend.co.uk, telephone number +44 8442728810. Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : Yes ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00623aa5-32c8-4cd1-baf0-8eacc1fda2e7 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Oct 2023 | | Submission deadline | 6 Nov 2023 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 2 Jan 2024 - 1 Jan 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,200,000 | | 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 | READING BOROUGH COUNCIL | | Locality | BERKSHIRE | | Post town | Reading | | Postcode | RG1 2LU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ16 Berkshire West | | Local authority | Reading | | Electoral ward | Abbey | | Westminster constituency | Reading Central | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60100000 - Road transport services - 60112000 - Public road transport services ## Release History - 6 Oct 2023 at 22:58 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00623aa5-32c8-4cd1-baf0-8eacc1fda2e7 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00623aa5-32c8-4cd1-baf0-8eacc1fda2e7 6th October 2023 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/ Additional information on how to apply for this contract ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home ## 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-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f25ba2b3-efe3-4154-914c-64418ff6e4ca.json.