PL0066 - ECC Passenger Transport DPS 2023

The expertise sought within this tender is the provision of comprehensive passenger transport services for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council. The Dynamic Purchasing System is organised into five distinct categories: transport for passengers with SEND requirements to educational or care facilities, transport for mainstream primary, secondary and further education destinations, services for adults with eligible needs to day‑care or educational sites, local bus and demand‑responsive transport across Essex, and ad‑hoc conveyance for unexpected needs in adult, SEND, mainstream or children’s social care contexts. Each category is delivered under a single long‑term framework that may be refreshed by call‑off orders, with a core term of five years and the possibility of a 24‑month extension granted in separate periods.

The contracting authority, operating through its procurement team, maintains a centralised purchasing hub to manage the entire system, ensuring consistency across both councils. Although the financial aspects of the procurement are substantial, the contract specifications focus on service quality, compliance with statutory duties, and a continuous improvement mandate that aligns with regional development strategies such as Everyone’s Essex. Suppliers are required to submit their participation through the provided electronic portal, and the process follows a restricted procedure under the Government Procurement Agreement, with a deadline for offers set for early 2029.

All potential contractors must deliver transport solutions that meet the statutory safety and accessibility standards for each passenger group, support demand‑responsive and fixed‑route operations, and accommodate any ad‑hoc requests for service. All services must comply with statutory transport safety regulations and provide accessibility for all passengers.

Essex County Council invite suppliers to apply to join the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of Passenger Transport Services for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council. This Dynamic Purchasing System has been split into the Categories listed below :
Category 1 - SEND Education Transport: Transport of Passengers with SEND requirements to education, care provision or other locations as required.
Category - Mainstream Education Transport: Transport to Mainstream primary, secondary, or further education locations.
Category 3 - Adult Social Care Transport: Transport of adults with eligible needs to day care/day centre/education provision or other locations as required.
Category 4 - Local Bus & Demand Responsive Transport: Provision of Local Bus and DRT services within Essex.
Category 5 - Ad-Hoc Requirements: Provision of impromptu or unprecedented transport for Adult Social Care, SEND, Mainstream or Children’s Social Care Passengers.
In addition, the new DPS Agreement will aim to bring continuous improvement measures to ECC's continuing service offer in line with commitments, plans and strategies for the future of Essex, including Everyone's Essex: our plan for levelling up the county. Any measures for Thurrock Council shall be listed within their mini-competition documents.
This Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) will operate for a period of five years with the option to extend for 24 months in single or multiple periods. Service Agreements procured via call-off and awarded under the DPS shall be for the period specified in the Order Requirements. Service Agreements procured via call-off under the DPS agreement may continue beyond the Expiry date of the DPS Agreement.
The Estimated Total Value of the Passenger Transport DPS Agreement is £355,000,000 for the initial 5 year period with the Estimated Total Value breakdown for each Council for the initial 5 year period as follows;
Essex County Council Estimated Total Value: £320,000,000
Thurrock Council Estimated Total Value: £35,000,000
The Estimated Total Value for the additional extension period of the Passenger Transport DPS up to 24 months is £142,000,000.
Essex County Council Estimated Extension Total Value: £128,000,000
Thurrock Council Estimated Extension Total Value: £14,000,000

Ocid: ocds-h6vhtk-042140
Contract location: UKH3
Communication: https://procontract.due-north.com/
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En
This is a recurrent procurement: No
Submission address and any special instructions: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Lot number: 1
Description: Transport of Passengers with SEND requirements to education, care provision or other locations as required, in order to satisfy a statutory duty.
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: Extension periods available.
Information about options. Options: No
Variants will be accepted: not allowed

Lot number: 2
Description: Transport to Mainstream primary, secondary, or further education locations, in order to satisfy a statutory duty, including but not limited to school bus transport Services.
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: Extension periods available.
Information about options. Options: No
Variants will be accepted: not allowed

Lot number: 3
Description: Transport of adults with eligible needs to day care/day centre/education provision or other locations as required.
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: Extensions periods available.
Information about options. Options: No
Variants will be accepted: not allowed

Lot number: 4
Description: Provision of Local Bus and Demand Responsive Transport Services within Essex.
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: Extension periods available.
Information about options. Options: No
Variants will be accepted: not allowed

Lot number: 5
Description: Provision of impromptu or unprecedented transport for Adult Social Care, SEND, Mainstream or Children’s Social Care Passengers.
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: Extension periods available.
Information about options. Options: No
Variants will be accepted: not allowed