16/PROF/11 - Provision of the Uni-Link Bus Service

The University of Southampton are seeking a Contractor to provide and operate our Uni-Link bus network, and to build upon the successful operation that has been delivered to date.

The University have operated the Uni-Link bus network since 2001, as a means to transport students between University teaching campuses and halls of residence. The network has grown since its inception, and routes have expanded to connect other key destinations in Southampton such as the city centre, railways stations, and ferry terminal. There are 4 existing bus routes. Although it remains focussed on student travel, Uni-Link services cater for staff commuting trips and forms an important part of the University Travel Plan. The nature of the University activities is such that demand for bus travel will fluctuate during the day (morning & afternoon) and throughout the year. The contractor will be expected to provide a flexible operation to accommodate changes in demand.

Additional information: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool (In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton) to manage this procurement and to communicate with bidders. All documentation in relation to this tender can be downloaded from the In-Tend portal. Bidders are advised that there will be no hard copy documents issued to organisations and all communications with the University including the submission of PQQ and Invitation to Tender Responses will be conducted via the In-Tend portal. Regular monitoring of the portal is the responsibility of the bidder. If you are not already registered as a supplier with the University of Southampton, you will need to register in In-Tend in order to access the tender documentation. Once you have logged in as a supplier: click on ‘Tenders’; locate the relevant project; and click ‘View Details’. Once you are in the project screen, you will be able to register your company against the project and access all documentation by clicking ‘Express Interest’. Bidders are advised that formal expressions of interest in the project must be by way of completion and return of the relevant Pre-Qualification (if applicable) or Invitation to Tender documents via the In-Tend portal. Further instructions for the submission of Invitation to Tender responses are below.

To submit your return, please follow the instructions below: 1. Log In 2. Click ‘Tenders’ 3. Locate the relevant project 4. View Details 5. Click on the tab relating to the relevant project stage (e.g. ‘Invitation to Tender’) 6. Click on the ‘Attach Documents’ button and upload your return. 7. Check ALL your response documents are uploaded and displayed in the “My Tender Return” panel. The system will only permit your organisation to make one return. 8. Click the red “Submit Return” button.

Please note that, to preserve the integrity of the tendering procedure, all queries must made be via the correspondence function within the In-Tend portal.

In accordance with Regulation 50, paragraph (2) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and subject to Article 5 and Annex 5, Part D (13) of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (if applicable), the University intends to publish the value of any resulting contract at the award stage, and reserves the right to do so. By submitting a tender response, bidders are consenting to publication of this information unless otherwise agreed in advance with the University.

Due to the nature of this project, it has been deemed unsuitable for division into lots. The risk of dividing the requirement would render the execution of the contract excessively technically difficult, not cost effective and would undermine the proper execution of the contract.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : Yes https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton/aspx/