--- title: "Supported Bus Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-067184" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067184" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067184.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067184.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "CUMBERLAND COUNCIL" published: "2026-05-20" --- # Supported Bus Services Buyer: CUMBERLAND COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067184 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067184) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067184.json) ## Summary Cumberland Council is undertaking a procurement process for supported bus services within the Cumberland area. The procurement is in the planning stage with a market engagement session scheduled for 26th May 2026, which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. The contracting process is expected to move to the tendering phase in early Summer 2026, with the aim of launching the services in November 2026. This procurement falls under the category of public road transport services and is identified with the CPV code 60112000. The engagement session will provide opportunities for bus operators to understand the commissioning plans and the anticipated timeline for tendering. Interested parties should reserve a space by contacting the Council's procurement team. This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for bus operators, particularly those involved in public road transport services. It is suitable for SMEs and VCSEs aiming to expand their operations within the transport sector. Participation in the pre-market engagement session allows businesses to gain insights into the Council’s procurement strategy, which can aid in preparing competitive bids. Operators who are capable of managing a contract that spans from November 2026 to October 2027 would be well-positioned to compete for this opportunity, provided they can align with Cumberland Council's service delivery expectations and procurement timelines. ## Notice Cumberland Council is in the process of procuring supported bus services across the Cumberland area. The intention is to tender for these services in early Summer 2026, for the bus services to be ready for launch in November 2026. As part of the commissioning process, the Council would like to invite all interested bus operators to attend a pre-market engagement session. At this session we will share an outline of commissioning plans and talk through the anticipated tender process and timeline. The Council would like all bus operators who might be interested in delivering this contract either now or in the future to join us. Providers should note that procurement plans are subject to formal approval and cannot be guaranteed until a decision to procure has been made. The decision is not scheduled to be reviewed until June 2026. ### Planning Information The session will hold on the 26th of May 2026 from 19:00 - 20:00 via Microsoft Teams. There will be an opportunity for bus operators to ask questions about the procurement process. The session will not be discussing the services which will be tendered. The date and time for this is detailed above, should you wish to reserve a space please send an email to sarah.hammond@cumbria.gov.uk detailing the contact email addresses for everyone who would like to join us. A Microsoft Teams invite will be sent out to all on Friday 22nd May 2026. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046592-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 29 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £7,500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | CUMBERLAND COUNCIL | | Locality | CARLISLE | | Post town | Carlisle | | Postcode | CA1 1RD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria | | ITL 3 | TLD13 Cumberland | | Local authority | Cumberland | | Electoral ward | Castle | | Westminster constituency | Carlisle | | Delivery location | TLD1 Cumbria | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60112000 - Public road transport services ## Release History - 20 May 2026 at 15:06 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046592-2026 - 13 May 2026 at 14:45 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044072-2026 - 13 May 2026 at 14:22 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044036-2026 - 23 Mar 2026 at 14:18 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026313-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046592-2026 20th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044072-2026 13th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044036-2026 13th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026313-2026 23rd March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - 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-067184. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067184.json.