--- title: "Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER" published: "2025-05-23" --- # Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise Buyer: TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf.json) ## Summary Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Bus Franchising - Bolton Small Franchise". The process is focused on the provision of bus passenger services under the category of public road transport services. The procurement involves a competitive flexible procedure, with the formal tender notice expected to be sent on 7th July 2025. The contract is anticipated to begin on 7th March 2027 and run initially until 27th September 2030, with possibilities for renewal. The total estimated contract value is £38,571,000, with a gross amount of £46,285,200. Key dates include a market engagement webinar scheduled for 4th June 2025 and the deadline for expressions of interest by 11th August 2025. The location is within the United Kingdom, specifically addressing services in the Bolton area of Greater Manchester. This tender provides significant opportunities for business growth, especially for SMEs in the transport sector, as TfGM encourages small and medium enterprises to participate. With a procurement process tailored to select a capable operator through a series of stages, businesses with expertise in public transport operations, and those adept at meeting procurement-specific qualifications, will find this opportunity suitable. The proactive engagement and procedural clarity offered by TfGM through market engagements and information sessions can provide businesses with the chance to build robust relationships and showcase their capabilities in delivering high-quality public transport services. Participating companies will also benefit from TfGM’s structured support and guidance throughout this competitive tendering process. ## Notice Following the implementation of bus franchising across Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), is seeking an Operator to provide bus passenger services for the Bolton Small Franchise from March 2027, with an estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 21. Note the scope, figures, dates, and contract or framework durations included in this Notice are provisional only, and are subject to funding approvals and governance approvals, and may be subject to change as the requirement developments. TfGM reserves the right to vary or cancel this notice at any point as the project develops. TfGM use the e-tendering portal Pro-Contract to manage high value procurement activity. Details on how to register can be found at https://procontract.due-north.com/register ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total) ### Planning Information Operators will be invited to attend an online Market Engagement Webinar whereby TfGM will provide an overview of the franchise requirements and the procurement process. Operators wishing to attend this Webinar should provide the name(s), position and email addresses of attendees by the 27th May 2025 12.00 noon. Please note this will not be interactive, however, the webinar will be recorded and the recording will be made available via the ProContract portal. Following the Market Engagement Webinar, TfGM will issue a short questionnaire requesting feedback from potential bidders alongside the recording of the Market Engagement session. Deadline for responses will be 11th June 2025. Should operators have any queries, please raise a clarification question via ProContract messaging service by 9th June 2025. TfGM will respond to all Market Engagement questions by the 23rd June 2025. TfGM intends to send the Tender notice on the 7th July 2025. There will be a supplier Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) process in order to get through to final tender submission. This will be explained in the Market Engagement Webinar. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026618-2025 | | Notice type | UK1 - Pipeline Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 May 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 7 Jul 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 7 Mar 2027 - 27 Sep 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £38,571,000 | | Lots value | £38,571,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER | | Locality | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M1 3BG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Piccadilly | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Central | | Delivery location | TLD North West (England), TLD3 Greater Manchester | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60112000 - Public road transport services ## Release History - 23 May 2025 at 13:58 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026618-2025 - 15 May 2025 at 14:34 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021867-2025 - 15 May 2025 at 14:17 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021847-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026618-2025 23rd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021867-2025 15th May 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021847-2025 15th May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.tfgm.com - https://procontract.due-north.com/Register - https://procontract.due-north.com/register - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-h6vhtk-0514bf. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514bf.json.