Scope
Description
Procurement description - Surrey County Council is dedicated to providing sustainable, safe, secure, and reliable Home to School transport services that meet the needs of students across the county. In accordance with the Education Act 1996 and subsequent amendments, the Council ensures that eligible students have access to free or subsidized transport to and from school.
The responsibility for providing Home to School transport services primarily lies with the local authority, especially for students who meet specific criteria such as distance from school, special educational needs, or disabilities. When these services require funding support, it becomes the Council's obligation to secure such services through a competitive tendering process.
Home to School transport services funded by Surrey County Council are essential in ensuring that students can attend school regularly and punctually. These services help to promote educational attainment, reduce absenteeism, and support the well-being of students by providing a safe and reliable means of travel.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £595,200,000 excluding VAT
- £686,979,840 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2030
- Possible extension to 28 February 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
Optional extension of up to 4 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
Contract locations
- UKJ25 - West Surrey
- UKJ26 - East Surrey
Lot 1. Standard Transport Services
Description
All types of vehicles as required per the list of "Scope of Passenger Transport Services" (further details can be found in Section 3 of the service specification - Appendix 1) to be commissioned from Saloon cars up to large coaches of 90 seats.
Lot value (estimated)
- £216,000,000 excluding VAT
- £249,307,200 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Enhanced Needs Transport Services
Description
All types of vehicles as required per the list of "Scope of Passenger Transport Services" (further details can be found in Section 3 of the service specification - Appendix 1) to be commissioned from Saloon cars up to large coaches of 90 seats.
- Routes carrying children with particularly complex special educational or behavioural needs including disabilities
- Routes into specialist SEN Schools with challenging requirements
- All or the majority of transport into a school
- Entire specified geographical areas
- An enhanced level of customer service due to special school or parental need
Lot value (estimated)
- £296,000,000 excluding VAT
- £341,643,200 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Complex (Health) Transport Services
Description
All types of vehicles as required per the list of "Scope of Passenger Transport Services" (further details can be found in Section 3 of the service specification - Appendix 1) to be commissioned.
- Clients that require basic health interventions and assistance including epilepsy, diabetes and other health needs that may necessitate the administration of medication and application of a care plan. These services may require additional training and insurance requirements
- Clients that have complex health needs that will require support in regulated activity from a supplier that has the appropriate CQC Registration.
Lot value (estimated)
- £48,000,000 excluding VAT
- £55,401,600 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
28 February 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Please refer to Appendix 2 Operational Guide, Appendix 3 Application Guide and Invitation to Tender for further details.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Standard Transport Services
Lot 2. Enhanced Needs Transport Services
Lot 3. Complex (Health) Transport Services
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
24 October 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
31 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)
12 December 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 28 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 95% |
| Quality | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWRH-8974-TNBV
Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill
Reigate
RH2 8EF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
ACCESS UK LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: SCC will use Access Uk IT solution to manage the tendering and awarding of contracts to approved transport operators who provide school transport for SCC school children. The tendering platform provides the ability to advertise, onboard and communicate routes for tender to approved operators.
- Companies House: 02343760
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBNW-7697-HCPQ
Armstrong Building Oakwood Drive
Loughborough
LE11 3QF
United Kingdom
Email: servelec.lg.bids@theaccessgroup.com
Website: http://www.theaccessgroup.com
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland