---
title: "Independent Travel Training"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-05"
---

# Independent Travel Training

Buyer: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb

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## Summary

Suffolk County Council has awarded a contract for the provision of Independent Travel Training services, falling under the education and training services industry category. The awarded contract, valued at £3,032,400 inclusive of VAT, was completed through an open procurement method with Essex County Council IPTU as the supplier. The contract aims to enhance the independence of Suffolk residents with disabilities and mental health and learning needs by training them to use public transport safely. The procurement process, known as "lightTouch," concluded with an award notice published on the 5th of May, 2026, and the contract will commence on the 1st of October, 2026, running for a period of five years, with an option for a two-year extension. Both the Suffolk County Council, located in Ipswich, and the supplier are committed to facilitating safe public transport use, contributing to community welfare and sustainability.

This tender presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses in the education and training service sector, particularly those experienced in working with clients with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). While the award was already made to a large supplier, future similar opportunities under the Suffolk County Council's procurement programmes may favour SMEs and VCSEs capable of providing innovative solutions and demonstrating social value in their service delivery. Businesses with a background in developing life skills and promoting independence can compete, positioning themselves as valuable partners to public authorities aiming to reduce dependency on council transport services and contribute positively to community development.

## Notice

Suffolk County Council is awarding a contract for an Independent Travel Training service. Independent Travel Training is provided to members of the public who reside in Suffolk, to teach them how to use public transport safely and independently. The service is for clients with disabilities, mental health and learning needs. The clients gain a valuable life skill, which in turns aims to reduce the future demand on council transport services. The advertised value here is PS3,032,400 inclusive of VAT. (this includes optional extension period) The VAT amount included is 20% Standard Rate however in some circumstances VAT may be exempt or chargeable at a different rate.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend for up to a further 2 years (24 months) The contracting authority reserves the right to carry out a subsequent procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

### Planning Information

To support our procurement activity and develop the scope and specification of the contract, we are undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to help Suffolk County Council: 
1) Identify potential Independent Travel Training providers and their intention to bid.
2) Help shape the service specification and improve the future delivery of the service, including a move to an SCC provided Travel Training referral system.
3) Understand potential barriers for SMEs and opportunities to minimise some of these barriers. 
4) Bidding considerations including TUPE. 
5) Understand providers' views on the proposed pricing model.
Suffolk County Council propose to hold informal sessions with interested parties via Microsoft Teams, the dates for these sessions are:
17th December 2025
6th January 2026
7th January 2026
Interested parties are requested to email transporttraveltraining@suffolk.gov.uk to arrange a meeting.
We would also encourage providers who are interested in this opportunity to register for the new Central Digital Platform, following the guidance at the following web address:
https://shorturl.at/kigPg

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041067-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | 26 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | 23 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 |
| Recurrence | 2031-01-07 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,527,000 |
| Lots value | £2,527,000 |
| Awards value | £2,527,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | IPSWICH |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode | IP1 2BX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH62 Ipswich |
| Local authority | Ipswich |
| Electoral ward | Gipping |
| Westminster constituency | Ipswich |
| Delivery location | TLH14 Suffolk CC |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL IPTU |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 5 May 2026 at 13:20 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041067-2026
- 26 Jan 2026 at 16:57 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006832-2026
- 12 Dec 2025 at 14:39 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082549-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041067-2026
  5th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006832-2026
  26th January 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082549-2025
  12th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://suffolk.gov.uk
- http://www.essex.gov.uk
- http://www.suffolksourcing.uk/
- https://shorturl.at/kigPg
- 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-05f4fb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f4fb.json.