Scope
Reference
PA0000003042
Description
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), employing approximately 5000 staff across two core sites. Dstl exists to supply the very best impartial scientific and technical research and advice to the MOD and other government departments. Dstl is committed to providing sustainable travel options to its employees under its Travel Plan, with the aim of reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles traveling to Dstl sites. Dstl has committed to provide Dstl staff with an accessible bus/coach service from agreed locations to its sites.The current services are:
• Porchester - 21 journeys per day.
• Southsea - 4 Journeys per day.
• Porton Down - 9 Journeys per day.
Dstl requires a bus/coach service from agreed locations to its core sites as part of its commitment to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles travelling to Dstl sites.
The sites are as follows:
• Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ (3 Routes)
• Portsdown West, Fareham, Hampshire , PO17 6AD (2 Routes)
Total value (estimated)
- £170,000 excluding VAT
- £204,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028
- Possible extension to 30 September 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Two firm priced option period of 12 months.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Two firm priced option period of 12 months.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 63520000 - Transport agency services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- UKK15 - Wiltshire CC
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
The conditions of participation can be found at the Project Specific Questionnaire published to the Defence Sourcing Portal. Under reference PA0000003042 - Dstl Shuttle Service - Procurement Specific Questionnaire.
Technical ability conditions of participation
The conditions of participation can be found at the Project Specific Questionnaire published to the Defence Sourcing Portal. Under reference PA0000003042 - Dstl Shuttle Service - Procurement Specific Questionnaire.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
11 June 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
18 July 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The Project Specific Questionnaire is now live on Defence Sourcing Portal. https://contracts.mod.uk/go/14806850019717362081
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
8 August 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 30 March 2028
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Capability | Please note, Dstl reserve the right to refine these weightings prior to the ITT being released. |
Quality | 50% |
| Price | Please note, Dstl reserve the right to refine these weightings prior to the ITT being released. |
Price | 40% |
| Social Value | Please note, Dstl reserve the right to refine these weightings prior to the ITT being released. |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Dstl is seeking to run this tender exercise using the following processes;
1) Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) - Dstl will be pre-qualifying the potential tenderers against the conditions of participation. This is published on the DSP under 'PA0000003042 - Dstl Shuttle Service - Procurement Specific Questionnaire' https://contracts.mod.uk/go/14806850019717362081
2) Invitation to Tender - This will be assessed using the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)
where suppliers will be asked to respond to a series of technical and social value questions
and provide Dstl with a firm price to deliver the statement of requirements.
Noting Dstl reserve the right refine the sub criteria and weightings in accordance with the Procurement Act.
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
No formal Preliminary Market Engagement has been conducted under the Procurement Act, however the requirement is well understood and considered simple in nature. The timelines associated with this procurement do not allow sufficient time for this activity, given the service requires mobilisation before 01 October 2025.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
The documents will be issued via Defence Sourcing Portal to those suppliers who achieve a PASS against the Project Specific Questionnaire.
Contracting authority
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDDM-1961-MTLN
Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom
Email: comrclfm&bss@dstl.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laborator
Region: UKK15 - Wiltshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - central government