Westmorland and Furness Council
Bus Operator Services for Certain Bus routes 2026-2027
The procurement contact named on the official notice.
The tender is advertised via The Chest (Ref: DN821775) , if you are not already registered on the portal the help you need to get started can be found here https://www.the-chest.org.uk/. All details are in the documents within the tender and available via the above portal. Should you have any further questions please direct them via the messaging system on The Chest.
The submission route named on the official notice.
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to procure suitably qualified and experienced operators to deliver a range of local bus services funded through Bus Grant Funding (formerly Bus Service Improvement Plan funding) for the 2026/27 financial year.
The procurement will support the continuation of existing contracted services, the introduction of new and enhanced routes, and the replacement of services where external funding has ceased, in line with the Council's approved investment programme.
The Council intends to award contracts for an initial period of up to 12 months, with an option to extend for a further period of up to 6 months at the Council's sole discretion, giving a maximum potential contract duration of 18 months.
The opportunity does not establish a framework agreement but will result in the award of individual service contracts.
The procurement aims to secure reliable, accessible and sustainable transport services that support local communities, improve connectivity, and contribute to wider economic, social and environmental objectives across Westmorland and Furness.
What the supplier must deliver
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to procure suitably qualified and experienced operators to deliver a range of local bus services funded through Bus Grant Funding (formerly Bus Service Improvement Plan funding) for the 2026/27 financial year.
The procurement will support the continuation
The procurement will support the continuation of existing contracted services, the introduction of new and enhanced routes, and the replacement of services where external funding has ceased, in line with the Council's approved investment programme.
The procurement aims to secure reliable, accessible
The procurement aims to secure reliable, accessible and sustainable transport services that support local communities, improve connectivity, and contribute to wider economic, social and environmental objectives across Westmorland and Furness.
Derived from the notice text — always confirm against the original documents.
What it takes to bid this
Typical UK bid effort for the value not published — mid-band assumed band — an estimate, not a quote.
Qualify & bid/no-bid ~10% · SQ / PQQ ~20% · Written response ~55% · Review & presentation ~15%
Typical for this category — confirm against the ITT pack
- Hold at bidOperator licences / driver vetting (DBS for passenger transport)
- Plan for deliveryTUPE (incumbent staff often transfer)
- Show at bidComparable references / case studies
- Hold at bidFinancial standing (accounts, often ~2× contract value turnover)
- Hold at bidInsurance cover (PL / EL, often PI)
- Show at bidSocial value commitments
Hold at bid = pass/fail conditions of participation. Show at bid = scored in the quality response. Plan for delivery = contract obligations from day one.
Make the case to bid
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The full intelligence dossier
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- OCID
- ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac
- Stage
- tender · Open
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Buyer ref
- 064783-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source data © Crown copyright.
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