Dynamic Purchasing System for Transport Services

Cumberland Council established a Dynamic Purchasing System ("DPS") for the provision of Passenger Transport Services which includes, but not limited to, Home to School, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Pupil Referral Units, and Health, Care and Communities Transport. The DPS was established on 9th April 2025 and will be open till 28th October 2028, as admittance of new providers will be all year round.

There are no further extensions. Contracts are awarded during the second stage of the process.

In stage two the council will invite Tenderers successfully admitted on the DPS to bid for contracts (routes). Providers can join the DPS at any point in time.

Contracts will be of varying lengths. The total value for the duration of the DPS, from start date to end date, will not exceed £75M, excluding VAT.

Details of expenditure and extension periods are indicative only. Admittance onto the DPS is NOT a guarantee of work and opportunities will be published following the call off procedure.

A decision may be made at the Council's sole discretion to carry out transport provision in house. For further details, and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, please use the council's online procurement portal The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk Registration on The Chest is free of charge.

All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Any clarifications you have about the tender must be sent via messaging on the chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents For the provision of Transport Services up to 8 passenger seats

Up to 8 passenger seats with a passenger assistant Provision of Transport Services for between 9 and 16 passenger seats

Between 9 and 16 passenger seats with a passenger assistant Provision of Transport Services for 17 passenger seats and above

Provision of Transport Services for 17 passenger seats and above with a passenger assistant Provision of Transport Services which require Wheelchair accessible vehicles

Wheelchair accessible vehicles with a passenger assistant Provision of Transport Services for Ad Hoc Taxis which can include, but not limited to, one off journeys and Rural Wheels services