School and Special Transport Open Framework
Bedford Borough Council · Local authority
In brief
Bedford Borough Council is looking for suppliers for vehicle and fleet and transport work (East of England).
It is a framework worth up to £48,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.
The contract runs for 28 months, up to 88 months with extensions, starting 1 December 2026.
It is split into 6 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.
The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Bids close at 1pm, Monday 5 October 2026.
Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.
Can I win this?
Key dates
- Questions by
- 11:59pm, Wednesday 23 September 2026
- Bids by
- 1pm, Monday 5 October 2026
How bids are scored
Price 90% · Quality 10%
Price matters most. Expect to compete hard on cost.
Competition
Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 13 awards in the last 12 months).
Framework
Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £48,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.
What the notice says
Bedford Borough Council has a statutory duty to provide free home to school travel for compulsory school-aged children who meet nationally prescribed eligibility criteria and for post-16 students who meet locally determined criteria. To fulfil this duty, the Council commissions transport services from external providers using a range of vehicle types to meet the diverse needs of routes and individual passengers. In addition, the School and Specialist Transport Team arranges transport for a range of Adult and Children's Social Care requirements, including contact sessions, day services, and respite provision. To support the efficient and compliant procurement of these services, the Council…Read the full description
Should I bid?
Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.
How to bid
- Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
- 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.
- Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
- Send clarification questions before 11:59pm, Wednesday 23 September 2026.
- Make sure your bid arrives before 1pm, Monday 5 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.
Lots
| Lot | Trade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 1-3 passengers 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 1 to 3 passengers. Services may include home to school transport, transport to specialist educational settings, alternative provision, social care placements, medical appointments and other Council-approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in accordance with individual Call-Off Contract requirements and may include passenger assistance, safeguarding measures and reasonable adjustments to meet individual needs. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
| Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 4-8 passengers 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of passenger transport services for eligible children, young people and other authorised service users using vehicles with capacity for 4 to 8 passengers. Services may include shared and dedicated transport arrangements for mainstream education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alternative provision, social care and other commissioned services. Transport shall be provided in accordance with route specifications and Call-Off Contract requirements issued by the Council. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
| Passenger Transport Services (9-16 Passengers) 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 9 to 16 passengers. Services may include scheduled and ad hoc transport for children, young people and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments, specialist settings, alternative provision, social care placements and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with route specifications and service requirements set out in individual Call-Off Contracts. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
| Passenger Transport Services (17-33 Passengers) 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 17 to 33 passengers. Services may include shared transport arrangements for pupils and other authorised service users travelling to mainstream schools, specialist educational settings, alternative provision and other approved destinations. Services shall be delivered in accordance with route specifications issued by the Council and the requirements of individual Call-Off Contracts. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
| Passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of passenger transport services using vehicles with capacity for 49 or more passengers. Services may include large-capacity transport for school pupils and other authorised service users travelling to educational establishments and other approved destinations. Services shall be provided in accordance with route specifications, performance requirements and Call-Off Contract terms issued by the Council. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
| Medical Transport Services 1 December 2026 to 19 March 2029 What this lot coversProvision of non-emergency medical transport services for eligible service users travelling to and from healthcare facilities, treatment centres, clinics and other approved medical appointments. Services may be delivered using a range of vehicle types appropriate to the needs of the passenger and may include transport for individuals with mobility, accessibility or medical requirements. Services shall be provided in accordance with individual Call-Off Contract requirements, safeguarding obligations and applicable service standards. | Transport, Vehicles and fleet | £48,000,000 |
Timeline
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 079984-2026
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 082023-2026
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 085188-2026
About the buyer
Procurements
68Awards
53Suppliers it has used most for vehicle and fleet
- AMF Services (Bedford) Ltd1 contract
Similar open tenders
All open vehicle and fleet tenders- £3mestimated
- £120kestimated
- £375kestimated
From notice 079984-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 21 August 2026, last updated 9 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.