Scope
Reference
AT1454 - DN794013
Description
The Council offers travel assistance for SEN Children and Vulnerable Adults between home and school/day care where the social care provision for that individual allows for it. Under the Light Touch regime, an Approved Provider List is being set up to have a pool for vehicles and drivers to assist us with routes.
The purpose of the Routes are to transport eligible individuals to and from their chosen destination safely and on time or at a time to suit the needs of the service requirements. This Must be in a provision that is clean, correctly maintained, appropriate to user needs and driven by courteous and respectful drivers who can attend to their specific needs, supported when required by passenger assistants.
This Service delivers our statutory requirement to its users and includes transporting children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) assessed as needing transport to and from school/college as well as Vulnerable Adults and/or Vulnerable Children travelling to and from Day Centres, Resource Bases, and/or other establishments as part of their agreed social care provision.
This service is subject to local and national pressure to improve assurances to the community regarding safeguarding vulnerable individuals. The overriding consideration for Luton Council is the safety of the children and vulnerable people in our care. Any Provider will be expected to ensure the highest standards in this regard.
Providers shall comply with this Service Specification as applicable to each Lot and their relevant Passengers.
There are currently 4 Lots included within this Framework Agreement:
Lot 1 Ad-hoc Transport Services (adults or children - social care related)
Lot 2 Planned Children Transport Services
Lot 3 Planned Adult Transport services
Lot 4 Routine Medical Transport Services (non-emergency) (adults or children - health related)
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £95,350,533 excluding VAT
- £114,420,639 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2035
- 9 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
- 60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver
Contract locations
- UKH - East of England
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
100
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
As set out in tender documents.
Framework operation description
As set out in tender documents.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As set out in tender documents.
Technical ability conditions of participation
As set out in tender documents.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
19 December 2025, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
6 January 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
2 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | As set out in tender documents. |
Quality | 75.00% |
| Price | As set out in our tender documents. |
Price | 25.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
As set out in tender documents.
Description of risks to contract performance
As set out in tender documents.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
http://www.procontract.due-north.com
As set out in tender documents.
Contracting authority
Luton Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWCV-4283-GVPW
Town Hall
Luton
LU1 2BQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKH21 - Luton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government