---
title: "Bus Franchising - Leigh Small Franchise"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER"
published: "2025-05-23"
---

# Bus Franchising - Leigh Small Franchise

Buyer: TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb

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## Summary

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is in the planning stage for a tender focused on the Bus Franchising - Leigh Small Franchise, a venture under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). This procurement process is aimed at acquiring an operator to deliver bus services for the Leigh area, with operations starting in March 2027. It falls under the services category, specifically public road transport services, and covers the UKD region in the United Kingdom. The procurement uses a competitive flexible procedure and is subject to special regimes for utilities. Key dates in the timeline include an upcoming market engagement webinar scheduled for 4th June 2025, wherein operators can submit interest by 27th May 2025, followed by tender notices on 7th July 2025.

This tender offers a substantial opportunity for businesses in the transport sector to grow by competing to become a franchise operator. Suitable businesses include those capable of delivering quality bus passenger services, with the project valued at approximately £33 million gross over multiple years. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, with the procurement specifics making allowances for such firms. Successful bidders will proceed through a selective process involving a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) phase, culminating in final negotiation stages. The market engagement session will help potential bidders understand the requirements and opportunities associated with this tender.

## 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 Leigh Small Franchise from March 2027, with an estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of 15. 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/026639-2025 |
| 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 | £27,551,000 |
| Lots value | £27,551,000 |
| 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 14:02 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026639-2025
- 15 May 2025 at 14:42 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021878-2025
- 15 May 2025 at 14:29 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021861-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026639-2025
  23rd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021878-2025
  15th May 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021861-2025
  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-0514cb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0514cb.json.