Home School Transport Dynamic Purchasing System

INTRODUCTION Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is an independent, not-for-profit-company established in December 2018 to deliver the best possible opportunities for the children of Reading. Our responsibility is to deliver children’s social care, early help and educational services (including SEND).

This procurement exercise will create a Dynamic Purchasing system operated in accordance with Regulation 34 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Company reserves the right to change any of the details of the operation of the DPS, consulting with DPS Contractors in advance.

SCOPE The School Transport Service is currently responsible for conveying approximately 470 pupils to schools and other educational establishments. There are currently around 150 routes ranging from taxi services for individual children and young people to larger school runs using 16-seater minibuses.

There are also routes that require wheelchair accessible vehicles able to take between 1-3 wheelchairs. Many of these routes will require the provision of a Passenger Assistant.

SERVICES REQUIRED The Company requires a range of different services to be provided by Contractors on the DPS. When applying to join the Framework, Contractors will be required to identify which of the five Service Categories they can offer in response to the Company’s requirements.

The Service Categories are: • Taxis up to 6 seats • Taxis up to 6 seats with escort • Minibus/MPV with escort (7-8 seats) • Wheelchair accessible/Vehicles with Wheelchair/tail lift • Minibus 9-16 seats (O licence or S19 permit) Contractors on the DPS will be welcome to expand the range of Service Categories that they offer at any stage by notifying The Transport Manager that they have suitable and appropriately licensed vehicles and they hold the required operators licences for the categories. The Company reserves the right to add additional Service Categories over the operating period to allow for new innovations and services to be provided.

Please note that initial expressions of interest will close on 1 September 2020 and initial responses will be assessed and awarded by 1 October 2020. After the initial period all Expressions of Interest will be assessed and appointed within 10 days of receipt.