Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
1 Mann Island
Liverpool
L31BP
Contact
Procurement Team
tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD72 - Liverpool
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/
Buyer's address
one.6) Main activity
Other activity
Public Transport
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region Tranche 1 Category 1 - Wirral
Reference number
DN772029
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
On 25 April 2023, LCRCA published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region which sets out the proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act.
In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region. Franchising is to be introduced over a number of tranches of procurement. Franchised contracts will be let in two categories:
i. Category 1 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements involving multiple services that will operate from a depot provided by LCRCA. LCRCA will provide the depot from which the services relating to the Category 1 franchise must be operated. LCRCA will predominately provide the fleet that must be used on the Category 1 franchise.
ii. Category 2 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements which either i) provide services to serve schools or ii) provide other local services. In both cases the franchises will be delivered from an operator's own depot.
This notice relates to the Category 1 franchise for Wirral.
Key elements of Category 1 franchises include:
Delivery of requirement: the operator of the franchise will be required to provide bus services in accordance with the detailed franchise package specifications.
Revenue risk: the operator will not be required to assume revenue risk. Revenue risk will be primarily taken by LCRCA.
Depots: LCRCA will provide the depots from which the Category 1 franchises will be operated.
Buses: LCRCA will primarily be responsible for providing the vehicles which will operate Category 1 contacts.
Repair, maintenance and servicing of buses: the operator will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicles whilst ensuring that there are in a roadworthy condition.
Staff: the operator is responsible for ensuring that it has all necessary and suitably trained staff to deliver the requirement detailed in the individual franchise specifications.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £185,327,845
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD7 - Merseyside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
On 25 April 2023, LCRCA published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region which sets out the proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act.
In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region. Franchising is to be introduced over a number of tranches of procurement. Franchised contracts will be let in two categories:
i. Category 1 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements involving multiple services that will operate from a depot provided by LCRCA. LCRCA will provide the depot from which the services relating to the Category 1 franchise must be operated. LCRCA will predominately provide the fleet that must be used on the Category 1 franchise.
ii. Category 2 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements which either i) provide services to serve schools or ii) provide other local services. In both cases the franchises will be delivered from an operator's own depot.
This notice relates to the Category 1 franchise for Wirral.
Key elements of Category 1 franchises include:
Delivery of requirement: the operator of the franchise will be required to provide bus services in accordance with the detailed franchise package specifications.
Revenue risk: the operator will not be required to assume revenue risk. Revenue risk will be primarily taken by LCRCA.
Depots: LCRCA will provide the depots from which the Category 1 franchises will be operated.
Buses: LCRCA will primarily be responsible for providing the vehicles which will operate Category 1 contacts.
Repair, maintenance and servicing of buses: the operator will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicles whilst ensuring that there are in a roadworthy condition.
Staff: the operator is responsible for ensuring that it has all necessary and suitably trained staff to deliver the requirement detailed in the individual franchise specifications.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 60
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Category 1 franchises include options for a) the initial term to be extended for up to two (2) additional years and b) additional services to be introduced as set out in the Franchise Agreements as priced options
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-004340
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
21 January 2026
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Go North West (Merseyside) Limited
Second Floor 55 Degrees North, Pilgrim Street
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 6BL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD7 - Merseyside
Companies House
13275587
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £185,327,845
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom