Bromley Council is set to re-tender a significant transport contract valued at £160 million over eight years, aiming to enhance services for all residents.
The Executive committee met on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to discuss the procurement of a new passenger transport service framework. This framework will cover transport needs for all client groups
and all assessed eligible transport needs
across the borough, implying a borough-wide geographical scope.
The current contract, which began in September 2020, is nearing its end and has utilized all available extension options, expiring on August 31, 2027. A new procurement process is therefore necessary. The tendering process is expected to commence in autumn 2026, with new contracts beginning in September 2027.
The proposed approach is to tender for a dynamic market of providers,
allowing for flexibility and the inclusion of new providers throughout the contract's lifetime. This strategy is preferred over a closed framework, which cannot be refreshed through its lifetime
and has led to a reduced pool of providers as providers dropped off the Framework.
The council is opting for an open framework of providers
which allows for new providers to join the dynamic market throughout the contract's lifetime
and offers additional flexibility to engage with the market and recruit new providers.
The estimated annual value of the new contract is £20 million, with a projected whole-life value of £160 million over the eight-year period. The procurement strategy will involve a competitive flexible procedure, with a price/quality split of 60% for price and 40% for quality.
The quality evaluation for the passenger transport framework will be broken down as follows:
- Experience and capability in SEND and adult social care transport: 20%
- Service reliability, resilience and continuity: 20%
- Contract management, information governance and reporting: 15%
- Driver and passenger assistant training and competence: 15%
- Safeguarding and passenger safety: 10%
- Quality and suitability of vehicles and equipment: 10%
- Equality, accessibility, social value and person-centred approach: 5%
- Financial stability: 5%
The meeting information can be found in the Public reports pack Wednesday 24 June 2026 19:00 Executive. The agenda frontsheet is also available here.
