Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Tender description

The University of Southampton currently utilises coach and minibus services to carry staff, students and visitors to and from various locations both local to the University in Hampshire and further afield nationally. Lot 1 is for the provision of Coach and Minibus Hire Services – The University requires an efficient and cost effective transport service (to include driver) to transport students (namely undergraduates and school pupils) and staff to various locations throughout the United Kingdom. The transport is for various sized vehicles of eight passengers or more. The collection and drop-off locations will vary dependent upon the requirements of individual departments. Some journeys will be ad-hoc whereas others will be required on a regular basis with the majority of these journeys taking place within the vicinity of the Southampton or Winchester area. This service would also need to provide for journeys across the southern region of the UK in rarer circumstances where the collection point or destination point would be in Southampton, Winchester or the surrounding area. The University is conducting this procurement using the open procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) for the purpose of procuring the services described in the specification. It is envisaged that there will be no more than seven suppliers awarded a place on Lot 1. Successful suppliers may be awarded a place on one or both lots in accordance with the published award criteria. Tenderers awarded a place on Lot 1 of the Framework Agreement will be the 7 highest scoring in accordance with the published award criteria. The number of suppliers will be based on the top 7 percentage scores in accordance with the published award criteria. Where less than seven Tenderers submit a compliant Tender return, only those Tenderers may be awarded a place on the Framework Agreement. Where more than seven Tenderers submit a compliant Tender return (i.e. a tie), all Tenderers achieving a top 7 score would be awarded a place on the Framework Agreement. The University proposes to enter into a Framework Agreement for 4 years. This will be the maximum Framework Agreement period including any potential extensions with the successful tenderers. This will comprise of an initial Framework Agreement period of 2 years with an option to extend by a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of the University. The estimated value of the initial two year Framework Agreement term for Lot 1 is in the region of 660 000 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the 2 x 1 year extension periods is 660 000 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this lot will be in the region of 1 320 000 GBP (excluding VAT). Lot 2 is for the provision of International Student Collection Services – The University requires a high quality, efficient, well-organised and cost effective transport service (to include driver) which gives a great welcome to International Students arriving at London Heathrow and Gatwick for onward transport to the University of Southampton and it’s halls of residence throughout Southampton and Winchester. The University is conducting this procurement using the Open procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) for the purpose of procuring the services described in the specification. It is envisaged that there will be no more than three suppliers awarded a place on Lot 2. Successful suppliers may be awarded a place on one or both lots in accordance with the published award criteria. Tenderers awarded a place on the Framework Agreement will be the 3 highest scoring in accordance with the published award criteria. The number of suppliers will be based on the top 3 percentage scores in accordance with the published award criteria. Where less than 3 Tenderers submit a compliant Tender return, only those Tenderers may be awarded a place on the Framework Agreement. Where more than 3 Tenderers submit a compliant Tender return (i.e. a tie), all Tenderers achieving a top 3 score would be awarded a place on the Framework Agreement. The University proposes to enter into a Framework Agreement for 4 years. This will be the maximum Framework Agreement period including any potential extensions with the successful tenderers. This will comprise of an initial Framework Agreement period of 2 years with an option to extend by a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of the University. The estimated value of the initial 2 year Framework Agreement term for Lot 2 is in the region of 88 000 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the 2 x 1 year extension periods is 88 000 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this lot will be in the region of 176 000 GBP (excluding VAT).