QSC222 09:00 2026-05-07 Long Melford, Suffolk to Boxford Primary School, Boxford, Suffolk
Suffolk County CouncilEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
Not specified
Published
10 June 2026
Type
services
Overview
Home to school transport: QSC222 Long Melford, Suffolk to Boxford Primary School, Boxford, Suffolk
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
Suffolk County Council is looking for a transport provider to run a home-to-school bus service from Long Melford to Boxford Primary School. This is a regular daily service to get children safely to and from school.
Requirements
- Valid operator's licence for passenger transport
- Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance for driver
- Safeguarding training for staff working with children
- Vehicle must meet DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) safety standards
- Insurance covering passenger transport and duty of care
- Vehicle suitable for transporting school-age children (specific capacity and safety features required)
- Driver must hold appropriate PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence category
- Ability to operate to published timetable consistently
- Child protection and safeguarding policies in place
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Daily morning transport of children from Long Melford to Boxford Primary School (specific times to be confirmed in tender documents)
- Daily afternoon return transport from Boxford Primary School to Long Melford
- Maintain safe driving standards and duty of care throughout journeys
- Keep vehicle clean, well-maintained, and roadworthy
- Manage passenger safety including seatbelts and behaviour
- Provide reliable service with minimal absences or cancellations
- Report any accidents, incidents, or safeguarding concerns immediately
- Liaise with school and council on any service changes or issues
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a 'home-to-school transport' tender — the buyer (Suffolk County Council) is essentially purchasing a daily bus service. You're bidding to be the operator, not winning a one-off project.
- 2Look carefully in the full tender documents for: exact pickup/dropoff times, number of children (capacity required), route distance, which days of the year you must operate (term-time only or year-round?), and the contract length (often 1–3 years).
- 3Safeguarding is critical for school transport — the council will heavily weight your child protection procedures, staff vetting, and training. Expect detailed questions about this in the tender.
- 4Check whether the council expects you to provide a spare vehicle if your main one breaks down — this affects your costs and operational planning.
- 5The tender reference 'QSC222' and date '2026-05-07' suggest this is a future contract starting in May 2026; confirm the exact start date and contract duration in the full notice.
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you're a small operator without a spare vehicle, consider subcontracting or partnering with another local transport provider to share backup resources — councils often prefer resilient operations.
- Emphasise any existing experience with school transport, DBS-cleared drivers, or established relationships with primary schools in Suffolk — this reassures the buyer you understand child safeguarding.
- Check if the council will accept a consortium bid (two small firms bidding together). This can help you meet vehicle and staffing needs without over-committing resources as a solo bidder.
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Hawk Express Cabs Ltd
1 contract wonlatest 5 May 2026ends 1 May 2031£21,145
total awarded
Hawk Express Cabs Ltd 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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Buyer Profile
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCILKey Dates
Published
10 June 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
opportunity
Source
ted eu
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