Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Essex County Council
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
Contact
Mr Ryan Morley
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH3 - Essex
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Passenger Transport
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
PL0093 - Project THRIVE
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth.
ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) :
3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue.
3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures.
3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Route Specific Marketing
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 1 - Route Specific Marketing
Targeted, route specific traditional marketing campaign, including route specific advertising, leaflet dropping and involvement of local councils to assist promotion (e.g. assist with promotion at transport hubs, tourist centres, etc).
Background to Lot:
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth.
ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) :
3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue.
3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures.
3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Digital Only Promotion
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 2 - Digital Only Promotion
Digital and social media only promotion / marketing
Background to Lot:
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth.
ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) :
3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue.
3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures.
3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Better Information
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 3 - Better Information
Better information at every bus stop , through parishes, bus user groups, businesses, schools, clubs and communities.
Background to Lot:
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth.
ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) :
3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue.
3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures.
3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Increased Frequency
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 4 - Increased Frequency
Such as running the service every 30 minutes instead of hourly.
Background to Lot:
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth.
ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) :
3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue.
3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures.
3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
17 March 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes