Schools Bus Franchises

In accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017) and having followed the legislative procedure set out within the same, the Mayor of Greater Manchester decided on 25th March 2021 to introduce a bus franchising scheme for the entire Greater Manchester Combined Authority ('GMCA') area.

As the executive body with responsibility for various transport functions on behalf of the GMCA, TfGM is responsible for various functions associated with the implementation and operation of the franchising scheme, including but not limited to undertaking and managing the procurement process for the school service franchises.

The GMCA will be the contracting entity and the bus franchising scheme will be overseen and managed by Transport for Greater Manchester ('TfGM'), including the procurement of Schools Bus Franchises services, on behalf of the GMCA.

The procurement of Schools Bus Franchises packages will take place in three tranches which will align with the three tranches in which the Large and Small franchises are being procured. These franchises will not all be introduced simultaneously, due to various transitional and implementation issues that will need to be addressed. The School Bus Franchises will be tendered in three Franchise Tranches determined by geographical area, as follows:

(i) The first Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bolton, Salford and Wigan), is expected to contain 23 schools only franchises, in addition to the two Large Franchises and nine Small Franchises; (ii) The second Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bury, Rochdale, North Manchester and Oldham) is expected to contain 6 schools only franchises, in addition to three Large Franchises plus nine Small Franchises; and (iii) The third Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Tameside, Stockport, South Manchester and Trafford) is expected to contain around 25 schools only franchises, in addition five Large Franchises plus eight Small Franchises.

The scope of this procurement is to procure contracts under each of the 23 lots (each of which relates to a franchise school package in Tranche 1) based on the schools served, ranging in size from 1 to 13 Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR).

Additional information: • Please note the return date and time - 6/10/2022 at 12 Noon is the final date for submission of the completed Selection Questionnaire. • This procurement process will be conducted through the ProContract e-tendering portal and any submission made outside of this portal will be disqualified. • All communications, including tender submission must be written in English. • Nothing in this procurement process is intended to form any express or implied contractual relationship between parties unless and until the award of a contract is concluded. • Any contract entered into as a result of this procurement will be considered to be a contract governed by English Law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales. • TfGM is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses (including third party costs, fees or expenses) incurred by those expressing an interest in, negotiating or tendering for this contract opportunity. • TfGM reserves the right to terminate this procurement process or to amend or vary the process at any time prior to the conclusion of the award of contract without liability to any party.