Scope
Reference
24-HB-057
Description
The University of Portsmouth Higher Education Corporation requires a 'pay-to-use' bus service for its staff and students. The bus Service shall provide access for staff and student to the main University campus in Portsmouth city centre, during term-time and for special weekend and event Services.
The provision of a reliable and convenient low emission bus Service aims to attract students and staff away from using personal cars, further improving air quality and enhancing local community safety given the number of school children going to and from school in the area.
The Commencement Date for the Contract shall be 01 September 2025, with a Contract Term of three (3) years up to 31 August 2028 and an option to extend for a further two (2) x twelve (12) month periods, if required, with a potential full Contract Term up to 31 August 2030.
The Supplier shall be required to provide two main bus Service routes: U1: is a Southsea circular route that operates Monday to Friday, during term-time, in an anti-clockwise direction only, through the main student and staff housing areas and starting at Kings Theatre. U2: The U2 bus Service shall run Monday to Friday, during term-time, to help students get from the city centre campus to Langstone sports pitches.
The nature of the University activities is such that demand for bus Services will fluctuate during the day, (with early morning and late afternoon peaks for travel), and throughout the year, with greater demand at the start of the academic year and during events organised by the University or Student Union, for example. The Supplier shall be required to provide Services to cater for the busiest periods, and shall be required to deliver a flexible Service which is able to react to changes in demand. This may require the provision of duplicate or additional vehicles operating outside the standard timetable, and provision of additional vehicles to cater for specific events within the University calendar.
Contract 1. University of Portsmouth Bus Services
Supplier
Contract value
- £3,646,412 excluding VAT
- £4,375,695 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
23 May 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
23 May 2025
Standstill period
- End: 9 June 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 1 September 2028
- Possible extension to 1 September 2030
- 5 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend for a further two years, if required.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Flexibility in University changes and innovative improvements to the Service.
CPV classifications
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
- 60100000 - Road transport services
- 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 1 tender 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
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
First Hampshire & Dorset Limited
- Companies House: 01999120
Hoeford, Gosport Road
Fareham, Hampshire
PO16 0ST
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ35 - South Hampshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. University of Portsmouth Bus Services
Contracting authority
University of Portsmouth Higher Education Corporation
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWYV-2655-NPMQ
University House
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government