School and Special Transport Open Framework

What the buyer is asking for

Bedford Borough Council has a statutory duty to provide free home to school travel for compulsory school-aged children who meet nationally prescribed eligibility criteria and for post-16 students who meet locally determined criteria. To fulfil this duty, the Council commissions transport services from external providers using a range of vehicle types to meet the diverse needs of routes and individual passengers. In addition, the School and Specialist Transport Team arranges transport for a range of Adult and Children's Social Care requirements, including contact sessions, day services, and respite provision. To support the efficient and compliant procurement of these services, the Council is establishing a new Open Framework to replace the existing Passenger Transport Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). The procurement process will be conducted electronically through the ADAM eProcurement System, with approved providers being eligible to participate in future call-off opportunities under the Open Framework. The Open Framework will be divided into 6 Lots: Lot 1 Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 1-3 passengers Lot 2 Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 4-8 passengers Lot 3 Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 9-16 passengers Lot 4 Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 17-33 passengers Lot 5 Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers Lot 6 Medical Transport Services

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 90%pricePriceAssessment of the tendered price submitted for the specific transport requirement. Prices will be evaluated in accordance with the award methodology set out in the Call-Off Invitation and Mini-Competition documentation. Competitive Selection Processes may be conducted through the ADAM eProcurement System and may include reverse auctions and electronic auctions.
• 10%qualityQualityAssessment of the Provider's quality score and service performance record maintained under the Open Framework. Quality assessments may take account of contract performance, service reliability, safeguarding compliance, operational performance, complaint management, audit outcomes and other quality factors established through the Council's quality assurance arrangements. Quality scores may be adjusted following quality audits undertaken by the Council.

6 lots

You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for all of them.

• Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 1-3 passengers£48m

  Provision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 1 to 3 passengers. Services may include home to school transport, transport to specialist educational settings, alternative provision, social care placements, medical appointments and other Council-approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in accordance with individual Call-Off Contract requirements and may include passenger assistance, safeguarding measures and reasonable adjustments to meet individual needs.

• Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 4-8 passengers£48m

  Provision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 4 to 8 passengers. Services may include shared and dedicated transport arrangements for mainstream education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alternative provision, social care and other commissioned services. Transport shall be provided in accordance with route specifications and Call-Off Contract requirements issued by the Council.

• Passenger Transport Services (9-16 Passengers)£48m

  Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 9 to 16 passengers. Services may include scheduled and ad hoc transport for children, young people and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments, specialist settings, alternative provision, social care placements and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with route specifications and service requirements set out in individual Call-Off Contracts.

• Passenger Transport Services (17-33 Passengers)£48m

  Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 17 to 33 passengers. Services may include shared transport arrangements for pupils and other authorised service users travelling to mainstream schools, specialist educational settings, alternative provision and other approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in accordance with route specifications issued by the Council and the requirements of individual Call-Off Contracts.

• Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers£48m

  Provision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers. Services may include large-capacity transport for school pupils and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with route specifications, performance requirements and Call-Off Contract terms issued by the Council.

• Medical Transport Services£48m

  Provision of non-emergency medical transport services for eligible service users travelling to and from healthcare facilities, treatment centres, clinics and other approved medical appointments. Services may be delivered using a range of vehicle types appropriate to the needs of the passenger and may include transport for individuals with mobility, accessibility or medical requirements. Services shall be provided in accordance with individual Call-Off Contract requirements, safeguarding obligations and applicable service standards.

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 24 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published13 days ago

   9 Sept 2026, 09:39 BST
2. Clarification questions byin 2 days

   23 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
3. Submission deadlinein 14 days

   5 Oct 2026, 13:00 BST
4. Award decision expected byin 65 days

   25 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

3 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender

1. Pipeline or early engagement notice21 Aug 2026, 14:44 BST079984-2026
2. Notice published28 Aug 2026, 09:17 BST082023-2026
3. Tender notice9 Sept 2026, 09:39 BST085188-2026

Documents

• Tender notice on Find a Tender