Closing soon5 days left · closes midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026

Contracted Enhancements to Local Bus Services

Bedford Borough Council · Local authority

In brief

Bedford Borough Council is looking for suppliers for transport work (East of England).

The estimated value is £800,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 1 year, up to 2 years with extensions, starting 4 January 2027.

It is split into 7 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

Bids close at midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Bids by
midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026

How bids are scored

Widest Passenger Benefits 7% · Commercial Conflicts 7% · Ticketing Options 2% · Driver Training 2% · Customer Communications 2% · Social Value - Local Employment 3% · Social Value - Environmental Impacts 3% · Social Value - Local Supply Chain 3% · Social Value - Local Community 3% · Price 70%

Price matters most. Expect to compete hard on cost.

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 15 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Bedford Borough Council wishes to tender for contracted enhancements to local bus routes, enhancing the existing town centre network. Bidders will submit proposals to enhance bus services on a contracted basis. Key locations are: o Hillgrounds Road and Saxon Centre o Putnoe Lane o Woodlands Park o Abbeyfields Proposals must aim for each resident of the above locations to be able to access public transport within 400 metres of their home address. Services must provide enhanced access to key hubs and services, eg Bedford Hospital (North and South Wings), Bedford Bus Station and Bedford and Kempston Town centre, and should be designed more generally with the aim of providing enhanced connectively to socially necessary locations. Transport provision to these locations on the day of operation and time of service is a minimum provision required. Operators are permitted the flexibility to incorporate these areas into their existing network and enhance the minimum requirement on a commercial basis where they deem it is appropriate. Further details are contained within the specification.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: supplier.in-tend.co.uk.
  4. Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Lot 1 – Hillgrounds Road and Saxon Centre
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Hillgrounds Road and Saxon Centre to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 2 – Woodlands Park
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Woodlands Park to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 3 – Abbey Fields
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Abbey Fields to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 4 – Putnoe
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Putnoe to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 5 – Hillgrounds and Putnoe
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Hillgrounds and Putnoe to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 6 – Abbey Fields and Woodlands Park
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to Abbey Fields and Woodlands Park to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—
Lot 7 – All destinations
4 January 2027 to 3 January 2028
What this lot covers

To provide transport provision to all locations to the minimum service level stipulated in the Specification document.

Transport—

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 100673-2026

About the buyer

Procurements

110

Awards

73

Suppliers it has used most for transport

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From notice 100673-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 23 October 2026. We last checked for changes on 23 October 2026.