---
title: "Support for Bus Franchising Pilots"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058517"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058517"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058517.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058517.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT"
published: "2026-04-07"
---

# Support for Bus Franchising Pilots

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058517

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058517)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058517.json)

## Summary

The Department for Transport undertook the procurement process titled "Support for Bus Franchising Pilots," aimed at supporting the development of new and innovative franchising models. Located in London, the procurement falls under the "Transport systems consultancy services" industry category and progresses through various stages including planning, tender, award, and contract termination. Initially launched with an open procurement method, the tender was completed with a contract signed on 30 October 2025, valued at £500,000. The process saw participation from the primary contractor, Grant Thornton, and concluded on 31 March 2026 when the contract was termed completed, and subsequently terminated on 7 April 2026. This initiative was part of phase 1 of the larger Bus Franchising and Reform Pilot Programme, under the legal framework of UK legislation 2023/54.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in consultancy services, particularly those with a focus on transport system development and franchising models. Organisations with expertise in financial consultancy services may also find growth prospects, given the financial consultancy classification associated with the tender. The engagement allowed an external consultant to contribute significantly to the Department for Transport's strategy in reforming bus franchising across the UK, providing an ideal platform for large enterprises like Grant Thornton to showcase their capabilities. Such contracts provide a significant avenue for enhancing reputation and business scope within the public sector consultancy market.

## Notice

The purpose of this procurement is to commission an external consultant to support the development of new and innovative Franchising Models and support the department with phase 1 of the Bus Franchising and Reform Pilot Programme.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031552-2026 |
| Notice type | UK11 - Contract Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Sep 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | £500,000 |
| Awards value | £500,000 |
| Contracts value | £500,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Terminated |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT |
| Additional buyers | Missing |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | Vincent Square |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | GRANT THORNTON |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

## Release History

- 7 Apr 2026 at 14:08 - ContractTermination - UK11 - Contract Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031552-2026
- 11 Nov 2025 at 13:31 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072796-2025
- 30 Oct 2025 at 10:39 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069641-2025
- 11 Aug 2025 at 11:29 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047613-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031552-2026
  7th April 2026 - Contract termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072796-2025
  11th November 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069641-2025
  30th October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047613-2025
  11th August 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/026422100198604E313C
- 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-058517. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058517.json.