Scope
Reference
DN773100
Description
Following the implementation of bus franchising across Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), is seeking an Operator to provide bus passenger services for the Leigh Small Franchise from March 2027. Estimated Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) is 15.
Total value (estimated)
- £27,551,000 excluding VAT
- £33,061,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 7 March 2027 to 27 September 2030
- Possible extension to 27 September 2032
- 5 years, 6 months, 21 days
Description of possible extension:
TfGM reserve the right to extend this contract in multiple periods of up to 24 months (total)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
Contract locations
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
7 July 2025
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
11 August 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Upon publication of the tender notice, Tenders should be submitted via the ProContract procurement portal. Suppliers can register for free using the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register.
Upon registration, suppliers can access the opportunity via the following project reference: DN773100
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
22 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Assessment | The award criteria maybe subject to change as per Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023. |
Quality | 60% |
| Price | The award criteria maybe subject to change as per Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023. |
Price | 40% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
TfGM are seeking to engage with potential suppliers who wish to become a Franchise Operator. Through this procurement process suppliers will be required to provide and pass a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) including Conditions of Participation. Any successful Bidders who have successfully passed the PSQ phase will qualify to participate in the subsequent stages of the procurement (the Invitation to Negotiation stage and final tender submission).
Further detail on the proposed award criteria and tender process will be made available through market engagement and subsequently the tender notice and PSQ documentation. However, this may be subject to change during this competitive flexible procedure.
The tender documents will be made available on the Pro-Contract E-Tendering portal (https://procontract.due-north.com/register) in July 2025.
Contracting authority
Transport for Greater Manchester
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNJQ-2746-NWYT
2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
United Kingdom
Region: UKD33 - Manchester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government