COP 26 - Ground Transport Services

This notice is for a call for competition in accordance with Directive 2014/24/EU Article 48(2). The United Kingdom will host the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties ('COP 26') on 01/11/2021 - 12/11/2021 at the Scottish Event Campus (The SEC) Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW.

The Authority is seeking to engage a ground transport services provider for the movement of VIPs and other delegates around Glasgow and the wider area including Edinburgh. Although specific details at the time of publication are estimated, the expected requirement is up to 450 vehicles and drivers over a 3 week period, starting from 21/11/2021 (although a portion of these vehicles may be provided separately by the Authority). 210 of these vehicles will be luxury sedans, 210 luxury MPVs, and the remainder 16-seater minibuses.

The supplier must have experience of VIP-level service, fleet management, and complex large-scale operations. Due to the complexity of this operation, the supplier will be expected to begin the project planning process immediately after the award of the contract in early 2021.

The provider will also be required to provide three vehicle hubs for the secure storage and maintenance of vehicles. Relevant driver/admin infrastructure will also be required, as will necessary infrastructure for battery electric vehicles.

Under currently planning, these hubs are likely to be at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling. Suppliers should indicate their ability to provide these hubs or provide a short statement on how they would plan to do so.

There may also be the requirement to provide an out of hours shuttle service to areas within 90 miles of the venue. Providers should indicate how they may be able to meet this ad-hoc requirement.

Supplier engagement days may be scheduled in London and Glasgow, subject to government regulations on gatherings; details of such will be published in due course on Contracts Finder. The Authority wishes to enter into one contract with a supplier.

However, collaboration with other suppliers would be welcomed. Crown Commercial Services own a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for this requirement which effectively eases the procurement process for the Authority.

The Authority would like to understand the level of interest in the market for suppliers to join the DPS. Further detail can be found at k https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6121 as well as by contacting the Authority at the email address listed above.

Variants will not be accepted. The duration of the agreement is approximately from 22.02.2021 to 30.11.2021.