Scope
Reference
DN798612
Description
In April 2023, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region, which set out a proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act 2000. In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made the decision to introduce a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region.
Franchising is a legal model where buses are under the control of a public sector authority (LCRCA) who set the routes, frequency, fares and overall standard of buses in the region. The existing commercially led market will be replaced and private bus operators will no longer be able to run most services independently. Instead, bus services will be operated under franchise contracts and bus operators will bid to run the services through a competitive procurement process managed by the Combined Authority.
LCRCA intend to introduce the first Tranche of franchised bus services from 6 September 2026, covering St Helens and the Wirral (The Wirral to be shortly after St Helens i.e. not going live simultaneously), before introducing more franchised bus services through further Tranches across all of LCRCA by the end of 2027. For Category 1 franchise contracts, LCRCA will provide the successful Operator with a fleet of vehicles which the Operator will then operate, manage and maintain throughout the franchise term.
In preparation for the commencement of the Tranche 1 bus franchising programme in September 2026, LCRCA have procured a fleet of double-decker, single-decker and midi-sized diesel buses. To support these vehicles and allow for the operation of services on routes with specific space restrictions, LCRCA wish to procure a number of short length vehicles, required to be delivered in the period June - July 2026 ahead of the commencement date of franchised services.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,350,000 excluding VAT
- £1,620,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 October 2026
- 9 months
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 34100000 - Motor vehicles
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
19 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
9 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Submission will only be accepted via the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=d244b794-17ca-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21
Ref: DN798612
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative | Technical Compliance Score 45% Customer Experience Proposal Score 10% User Operability Proposal Score 10% |
Quality | 65% |
| Price | Price | 35% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNDZ-8253-CJJM
1 Mann Island
Liverpool
L3 1BP
United Kingdom
Region: UKD72 - Liverpool
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government