Scope
Description
The council is procuring Bus Services in Cumberland for specific bus routes for a term of up to one (1) year. The services are expected to commence on 3rd November 2025 and end on 2nd November 2026. There are no extensions available.
Funding is provided by the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Programme. Cumberland Council is seeking suitably qualified transport operators to deliver services in accordance with the requirements of the specification.
The estimated total value of this tender over the total one year period is a maximum value of £3,565,574, but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of each contract. Contracts will be awarded to operators covering the routes they are successfully awarded.
For further details, and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, please use the council's online procurement portal The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk
Registration on The Chest is free of charge.
All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Any clarifications you have about the tender must be sent via messaging on the chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,565,574 excluding VAT
- £4,278,688 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 November 2025 to 2 November 2026
- 1 year
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
29 August 2025, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
5 September 2025, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Bids must be uploaded to www.the-chest.org.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
24 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 70% |
| Quality | Quality | 20% |
| Social value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government