Scope
Reference
PA0014-1
Description
Suffolk County Council are inviting suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to submit tenders for the provision of an Independent Travel Training service.
Independent Travel Training is provided to members of the public who reside in Suffolk, to teach them how to use public transport safely and independently. The service is for clients with disabilities, mental health and learning needs. The clients gain a valuable life skill, which in turns aims to reduce the future demand on council transport services.
This opportunity is available in the `Current Tenders` area of the portal. Interested parties are invited to express their interest to gain full access to the tender documentation.
The advertised value here is £3,032,400 inclusive of VAT. (this includes optional extension period)
The VAT amount included is 20% Standard Rate however in some circumstances VAT may be exempt or chargeable at a different rate.
The deadline date for submissions of the tender is 27/02/2026 11:00 am.
Please note late returns will NOT be permitted
The deadline for clarification questions is 16/02/2026 06:00 pm, which must be generated via the correspondence option on the website
Pre market engagement has previously been undertaken and a summary of the relevant information is included in the tender pack for information purposes.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,527,000 excluding VAT
- £3,032,400 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031
- Possible extension to 30 September 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend for up to a further 2 years (24 months)
The contracting authority reserves the right to carry out a subsequent procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKH14 - Suffolk
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Confirmation that the Tenderer has, or can commit to obtain, prior to the award of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, and that the cost of insurances has been included in the costs/prices submitted within the Tender submission.
Technical ability conditions of participation
UK General Data Protection Regulations
- Tenderer does not pose a Data Protection risk to the Council (that cannot be mitigated).
Health and safety
- Tenderer provides their H&S Policy Statement together with an explanation of their H&S arrangements (which should follow a recognised H&S Management system).
Procurement Specific Requirements
- Tenderer demonstrates experience of working with young people with SEND and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and/or mental health. Evidence provided via brief case study.
- Tenderer demonstrates compliance with the Safeguarding requirements detailed in the service specification by providing a copy of their Safeguarding Policy.
- Tenderer demonstrates compliance with DBS requirements.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 February 2026, 6:00pm
Tender submission deadline
27 February 2026, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 May 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 7 January 2031
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality inc. Social Value | Quality | 60% |
| Commercial | Price | 40% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Suffolk County Council has joined the government's Devolution Priority Programme (DPP), a fast-track programme towards devolution and local government reorganisation.
Under the DPP it is proposed that:
a) a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Norfolk and Suffolk is established, with strategic powers and headed by an elected mayor ("Devolution").
b) the existing two-tier council structure in Suffolk is abolished and replaced with one or more unitary councils covering the current geographical boundary of Suffolk ("LGR").
It is possible that both, one or neither of these changes will happen. These changes are declared as known risks as we do not yet know the implications of Devolution and/or LGR.
As a result of LGR and Devolution, contract modifications may be necessary to novate, transfer or disaggregate the contract from the one you entered into to one or more successor authorities or the MCAA. Impacts could include changes to geographical boundaries, significant increases and/or decreases in the goods and/or services required due to the change in size/scope of any successor authority or the MCAA. This may also change the scope of the contract
Interested Parties should refer to the Invitation to Tender and Contract Terms for the Known Risks:
Contract novation, transfer or disaggregation to one or more Successor Authorities or the MCAA within the current geographical boundary of Suffolk.
Contract novation, transfer or disaggregation to one or more Successor Authorities or the MCAA outside the current geographical boundary of Suffolk.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Suffolk County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVH-1657-HHMV
Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road
Ipswich
IP1 2BX
United Kingdom
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government