Large Vehicle Passenger Transport Services (BB4)
Leicestershire County CouncilEstimated Value
Up to £40,000,000
Deadline
20 July 2030
1411 days remaining
Published
5 June 2020
Type
services
Key points
- The provision of both a driver and vehicle.
- The operation of Minibuses, Buses and Coaches of various seating capacities.
- The operation of Minibuses, Buses and Coaches of various configurations and specifications including wheelchair accessible vehicles.
- The carriage of a variety of service users including children, vulnerable adults and those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
- The operation of Minibus, Bus and Coach services in and around the County of Leicestershire and City of Leicester.
- The operation of Minibus, Bus and Coach services with or without an escort, as required for individual services.
Regulations cited
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015
AI Analysis
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Leicestershire County Council is setting up a Dynamic Purchasing System to contract operators who can provide minibuses, buses and coaches – with drivers – for transporting children, vulnerable adults and people with special educational needs across the county and city.
Requirements
- Provide both a qualified driver and a suitable vehicle for each contract
- Operate minibuses, buses and coaches of various seating capacities
- Provide wheelchair‑accessible vehicles and other required configurations
- Transport children, vulnerable adults and users with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Operate services in Leicestershire County and the City of Leicester
- Offer services with or without an escort as required by the individual contract
- Comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102), Regulation 34
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Supply a driver and vehicle for each awarded contract
- Run minibuses, buses or coaches on routes defined by the Council
- Ensure vehicles meet wheelchair‑accessibility and other specification requirements
- Carry designated service users (children, vulnerable adults, SEN pupils) safely and on time
- Operate throughout Leicestershire and Leicester, including any required pick‑up/drop‑off points
- Provide an escort on journeys where the Council specifies this is needed
How to Read This Tender
- 1The notice creates a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) – think of it as an ‘always‑open’ list of approved suppliers; you can join now and be invited to bid on individual contracts later
- 2Look for the sections on ‘further competition’ – after you’re on the DPS the Council will run separate mini‑tenders for each service, so you only bid on work you can actually deliver
- 3Pay close attention to the vehicle specifications (capacity, wheelchair access, configuration) and user groups – these determine the licences, insurance and driver checks you must have in place
- 4Check the procurement rules (PCR 2015 Reg 34) – they set out the legal framework; non‑compliance can disqualify you even if you have the right fleet
- 5Typical pitfalls: overlooking the need for an escort, under‑estimating the geographic spread of routes, or not demonstrating how you meet safeguarding and DBS requirements
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you don’t have a full fleet, consider partnering with another local operator to meet the capacity and accessibility requirements while still qualifying as a DPS member
- Highlight any social value you bring – e.g., employing local drivers, using low‑emission vehicles, or offering training for staff working with vulnerable users
- Use the DPS to your advantage: you can bid on smaller, less‑risky contracts first to build a track record before tackling larger, more complex routes
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Ausden Clark Group
2 contracts wonlatest 15 Jun 2026ends 30 Jul 2029£294,690
total awarded
- 2
Elliotts Coaches
1 contract wonlatest 1 Jul 2026ends 31 Jul 2029£133,950
total awarded
- 3
Mark Bland Travel Ltd
1 contract wonlatest 23 Jun 2026ends 14 Jul 2029£187,054
total awarded
- 4
Centrebus
1 contract wonlatest 22 Jun 2026ends 4 Aug 2029£485,190
total awarded
- 5
Sharpes of Nottingham
1 contract wonlatest 12 Jun 2026ends 31 Jul 2029£168,150
total awarded
Ausden Clark Group is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
Actions
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How to Apply
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Buyer Profile
Leicestershire County CouncilKey Dates
Published
5 June 2020
Submission deadline
20 July 2030
Notice type
tender
Source
contracts finder
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