Tender

BUZZ 42 Bus Service

  • Reading Borough Council

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-029627

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0408d8

Published 6 October 2023, 11:57pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Reading Borough Council

Civic Offices, Bridge Street

Reading

RG1 2LU

Contact

Emma Glynn

Email

pchub@reading.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKJ11 - Berkshire

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.reading.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/reading/aspx/Tenders/Current

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/reading/aspx/Tenders/Current

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

BUZZ 42 Bus Service

Reference number

RBC P 00001753

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 60100000 - Road transport services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Reading Borough Council (RBC) is inviting tenders from qualified operators for the provision of the BUZZ 42 public Bus Service. The current service runs from Kenavon Drive to Rivermead and operates Monday to Saturday, from 0600 (0700 on Saturday) to 1915 (approx.). The current service and timetable represent the base service for the contract is the minimum level of service to be provided by the operator. RBC has secured funding to deliver an enhanced Buzz 42 service as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The enhanced service will consist of an extended route to include additional stops in Tilehurst, a more frequent service that includes a Sunday service. It is anticipated that the enhanced service will be delivered using either a two or three bus timetable and therefore this tender is offered over 2 Lots to cover both options. Bidders are encouraged to bid for both Lots. The value of the contract will depend on the level of funding secured and the take up of options.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1,200,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 1 - Base service with enhanced service delivered to 2 bus timetable

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 60100000 - Road transport services
  • 60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver
  • 60112000 - Public road transport services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ11 - Berkshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Reading Borough Council (RBC) is inviting tenders from suitably qualified operators for the provision of the BUZZ 42 public Bus Service. The current BUZZ 42 service runs from Kenavon Drive to Rivermead and is in operation from Monday to Saturday from approximately 0600 (0700 on Saturday) to approximately 1915.The current service and timetable represents the base service for this contract and will be the minimum level of service to be provided by the operator throughout the contract period. RBC has secured funding to deliver an enhanced Buzz 42 service as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The enhanced service will consist of an extended route to include additional stops in Tilehurst, a more frequent service that includes a Sunday service. It is anticipated that the enhanced service will be delivered using either a two or three bus timetable. Given the two delivery options, this tender is offered over two Lots. This Lot 1 is for the base service with the enhanced service delivered using a two bus timetable. RBC has lotted this tender in order obtain prices for both route options via a competitive process. RBC intends to award to one Lot only. Lot selection will depend on the prices submitted during the tender process and the level of budget available. Bidders can submit bids for either or both Lots, although RBC would like to encourage bidders to consider submitting a bid for both Lots. Each Lot is offered on a gross cost basis.The Bus Service must comply with all regulations for Bus provision as covered under the operator’s licence provided by the Traffic Commissioner.The contract is estimated to start on 2nd January 2024 and will run for an initial term that expires on 1st January 2027, with the option to extend by up to 2 further years in increments to be agreed.The value of this contract is estimated to be in the region of £671,000 to £1.2million, depending on the Lot selected and the take up of extensions.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £1,200,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

60

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial period of the contract will end on 1st January 2027. The contract may be extended, subject to the performance of the supplier and the availability of funding, for periods of up to a total of 2 years, in increments to be agreed.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Delivery of at least the base service will be required throughout the contract period. Delivery of the enhanced service will be based on securing necessary funding. Currently the enhanced service is anticipate to run from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. RBC is currently in the process of securing an extension to this funding and therefore it is anticipated that the enhanced service will be extended. This will be confirmed with the supplier at the earliest opportunity. In the event that enhanced service funding expires during the contract period, the base service will continue. In the event that additional funding can be secured at a later date, the enhanced service may be re-commissioned through this contract.The initial period of the contract will end on 1st January 2027. The contract may be extended, subject to the performance of the supplier and the availability of funding, for periods of up to a total of 2 years, in increments to be agreed.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 2 - Base service with enhanced service delivered to a 3 bus timetable

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 60100000 - Road transport services
  • 60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver
  • 60112000 - Public road transport services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ11 - Berkshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Reading Borough Council (RBC) is inviting tenders from suitably qualified operators for the provision of the BUZZ 42 public Bus Service. The current BUZZ 42 service runs from Kenavon Drive to Rivermead and is in operation from Monday to Saturday from approximately 0600 (0700 on Saturday) to approximately 1915.The current service and timetable represents the base service for this contract and will be the minimum level of service to be provided by the operator throughout the contract period. RBC has secured funding to deliver an enhanced Buzz 42 service as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The enhanced service will consist of an extended route to include additional stops in Tilehurst, a more frequent service that includes a Sunday service. It is anticipated that the enhanced service will be delivered using either a two or three bus timetable. Given the two delivery options, this tender is offered over two Lots. This Lot 2 is for the base service with the enhanced service delivered using a three bus timetable. RBC has lotted this tender in order obtain prices for both route options via a competitive process. RBC intends to award to one Lot only. Lot selection will depend on the prices submitted during the tender process and the level of budget available. Bidders can submit bids for either or both Lots, although RBC would like to encourage bidders to consider submitting a bid for both Lots. Each Lot is offered on a gross cost basis.The Bus Service must comply with all regulations for Bus provision as covered under the operator’s licence provided by the Traffic Commissioner.The contract is estimated to start on 2nd January 2024 and will run for an initial term that expires on 1st January 2027, with the option to extend by up to 2 further years in increments to be agreed.The value of this contract is estimated to be in the region of £671,000 to £1.2million, depending on the Lot selected and the take up of extensions.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

60

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial period of the contract will end on 1st January 2027. The contract may be extended, subject to the performance of the supplier and the availability of funding, for periods of up to a total of 2 years, in increments to be agreed.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Delivery of at least the base service will be required throughout the contract period. Delivery of the enhanced service will be based on securing necessary funding. Currently the enhanced service is anticipate to run from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. RBC is currently in the process of securing an extension to this funding and therefore it is anticipated that the enhanced service will be extended. This will be confirmed with the supplier at the earliest opportunity. In the event that enhanced service funding expires during the contract period, the base service will continue. In the event that additional funding can be secured at a later date, the enhanced service may be re-commissioned through this contract.The initial period of the contract will end on 1st January 2027. The contract may be extended, subject to the performance of the supplier and the availability of funding, for periods of up to a total of 2 years, in increments to be agreed.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

6 November 2023

Local time

5:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

6 November 2023

Local time

5:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Summer/Autumn 2028

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Royal Courts of Justice

The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Telephone

+44 2079477882

Country

United Kingdom