Scope
Reference
PL0114
Description
Essex County Council ('the Authority') is seeking to procure the supply, installation and maintenance of Flags, Poles and Timetables Frames (Bus Infrastructure), plus the continued frequency of Printed Timetable Posting.
Lot 1. Flags, Poles and Timetable Frames
Description
1. The supply and delivery of Essex standard Bus Stop poles, Bus Stop flags and timetable cases.
2. Maintenance of Bus Stop poles, Bus Stop flags, and timetable cases at Bus Stops.
3. The installation/replacement of Bus Stop poles, flags, and timetable cases at Bus Stops and minor works including but not limited to cutting back of vegetation and removal of old infrastructure of poles, flags and timetable cases.
4. Site surveys of Bus Stops.
5. Obtaining all consent, permits and permissions necessary to carry out the Service including but not limited to obtaining permits to work on the highway and ensuring waste is disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
6. Storage of Bus Stop poles, Bus Stop flags and timetable cases that have been removed from a Bus Stop pending installation at a new location.
7. Disposal of Bus Stop poles, Bus Stop flags and timetable cases that have been removed from a Bus Stop and cannot be reused.
8. Shelters are managed separately, but where a shelter requires a new/replacement flag or timetable case the work will be undertaken by this Lot.
Lot 2. Posting of Timetables
Description
1. Receiving bus stop timetables at an agreed location.
2. Strategically plan the posting of these bus stop timetables.
3. Visiting bus stops and posting artworks to frames, where necessary reporting back to the Local Authority of any access issues.
4. Reporting on work completed.
The scope of the project is to coordinate the posting of up-to 7,000 printed timetables to fit bus stop frames in Essex.
Contract 1. Flags, Poles and Timetable Frames
Lots
Lot 1. Flags, Poles and Timetable Frames
Supplier
Contract value
- £4,741,200 excluding VAT
- £5,689,438 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
13 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 24 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
2 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2034
- Possible extension to 30 June 2039
- 13 years, 3 months
Description of possible extension:
One extension available of five years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 30199790 - Timetables
- 35821000 - Flags
- 44212225 - Poles
- 44212321 - Bus shelters
- 51122000 - Installation services of flagpoles
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Contract 2. Lot 2: Posting of Timetables
Lots
Lot 2. Posting of Timetables
Supplier
Contract value
- £921,524 excluding VAT
- £1,105,829 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
13 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
13 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 24 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
2 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2034
- Possible extension to 30 June 2039
- 13 years, 3 months
Description of possible extension:
One extension available of five years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 30199790 - Timetables
- 44212321 - Bus shelters
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Flags, Poles and Timetable Frames
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Lot 2. Posting of Timetables
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
A K HOBSON LIMITED
- Companies House: 04068400
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMNW-3214-RJQV
21 Lodge Lane
Essex
RM17 5RY
United Kingdom
Region: UKH32 - Thurrock
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
EXTERNITURE LIMITED
- Companies House: 04338401
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHN-8466-HPLG
Unit 3 Daytona Drive
Thatcham
RG19 4ZD
United Kingdom
Email: shallwetalk@externiture.com
Website: http://www.externiture.com
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Connected people/organisations:
1) Matthew Stagg, January 1973. Unit 3 Daytona Drive, Thatcham, RG19 4ZD, UK. Director or individual with same responsibilities.
2) Karen Staff, February 1967. Unit 3 Daytona Drive, Thatcham, RG19 4ZD, UK. Director or individual with same responsibilities.
Contract 1. Flags, Poles and Timetable Frames
TRANSPORT MADE SIMPLE LIMITED
- Companies House: 15754458
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYQV-8544-XDYY
29 Arboretum Street
Nottingham
NG1 4JA
United Kingdom
Email: peter@transportmadesimple.co.uk
Website: https://transportmadesimple.co.uk/
Region: UKF14 - Nottingham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Connected people/organisations:
1) Peter Nathanail, March 1997. 29 Arboretum Street, Nottingham, NG1 4JA, UK. Person with significant control.
2) Dominic Kalantry, January 1997. 29 Arboretum Street, Nottingham, NG1 4JA, UK. Person with significant control.
Contract 2. Lot 2: Posting of Timetables
TRUEFORM ENGINEERING LIMITED
- Companies House: 01324196
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBRC-5954-RMXP
Unit 12 Pasadena Trading Estate
Hayes
UB3 3NQ
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.trueform.com
Region: UKI74 - Harrow and Hillingdon
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: tommy.robinson@essex.gov.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government