Scope
Reference
PRT-TFWM-WPG-2025-0003
Description
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) supports the provision of an extensive passenger transport network across the West Midlands, both in fulfilment of statutory duties and to enable access to facilities and services. The WMCA supports the provision of local bus services, by financially subsidising routes that are not provided on a commercial basis by private operators.
A current Subsidised Bus Contracts expiring on 4th January 2026 needs to be re-procured in order to ensure the route contained within the contract remains operational.
Contract T0927 - Service 27 - Rubery, Great Park to Solihull
Total value (estimated)
- £4,500,000 excluding VAT
- £5,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 4 January 2026 to 30 October 2027
- Possible extension to 27 October 2029
- 3 years, 9 months, 24 days
Description of possible extension:
Two (2) options to extend;
Extension of up to 68 weeks (31st October 2027 to 17th February 2029)
and
Extension of up to 36 weeks (18th February 2029 to 27th October 29)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
Contract locations
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
A Financial viability self assessment will be carried out by the supplier, which they will be required to submit as part of their Tender Submisson.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please see Part 3 of the 'Qualification' envelope for a full list of our 'Conditions of Participation' for this opportunity. Please note all 'Conditions of Participation' must be passed in order for suppliers tenders to be considered further/evaluated.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
12 September 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
1 October 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/Price | Cost | 100% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
1 Worsening highway conditions
2 Exceptional cost inflation
3 Change to travel demand or travel patterns
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
No Market Engagement has been undertaken for the contracts/services being tendered during this round. The decision not to conduct Market Engagement was taken due to potential major changes to the current West Midlands Bus network and the WMCA tendering/commercial model.
Market Engagement will form a key part in any future tender opportunities once the landscape is known, this opportunity to engage will be published to the open market via Find a Tender Service (FTS)
Contracting authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGMD-1353-PZVX
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham
B19 3SD
United Kingdom
Email: procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Website: http://www.WMCA.org.uk
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government