Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Tender description

Portsmouth City Council (the 'Council') is inviting tenders for the delivery of a shuttle bus service at Portsmouth International Port. The contractor will be required to provide both drivers and vehicles, the engines of which must meet EURO CAT 6 requirements as a minimum. The Council is targeting award of contract for 20 October 2020 to allow for commencement on 1 April 2021. The value of the contract is determined by wider demand and may range from GBP 200 000-GBP 400 000 per annum. The Council is inviting tenders against 2 lots which vary by duration of base term. The duration for lot 1 will be 5 years base term extendable in increments to be agreed by a further 3 years. Lot 2 base term will be 3 years extendable by a further 5 years. Tenders must be in returned in respect of lot 1 whilst further submission against lot 2 is optional. Application is via submission of complete tender bid via the Council's e-sourcing system InTend, the deadline for which is 17 August 2020 12.00. For lot 1 the initial base contract period will be for 5 years with possibility of extending the term by a further 3 years to a maximum total term of 8 years in increments to be agreed, subject to performance and agreement by both parties. Tenders must be submitted against lot 1. The Council may at its sole discretion decide which lot to award from, taking into account the differing balances of risk and reward that may be presented within the content of the bids as well as from analysis of wider external factors. The bus shuttle service is required to transport passengers and their luggage, with provision for disabled passengers, to and from the terminal building at Portsmouth International Port to the awaiting ferries and cruise ships. Provision also to include a service to some tourist cruise ships taking their passengers to attractions within the city either as a one off trip or to run to a schedule plus occasional ad-hoc requirements for Port tours etc. The contract will cover the provision of vehicles, drivers and supporting services for the passenger shuttle service. Vehicles supplied must be sufficiently manoeuvrable to negotiate Portsmouth International Port’s road layout and vessel vehicle decks and must have EURO CAT 6 engines as a minimum. A weekly schedule for all regular sailings will be produced by the Port on a Thursday for the week commencing on the Saturday, however these times may change due to operational requirements or altered sailings. Where possible a minimum of 12 hours’ notice will be given of a change in requirements, though this may not always be possible. The value of the contract is demand driven and dictated by number and type of sailings. At normal trade levels, the average value has been approximately GBP 280 000 per annum but could range from GBP 200 000-GBP 400 000 per annum. The Council is inviting tenders in accordance with the open procedure as defined within the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) to the following timetable: Closing date for clarifications: Monday 27 July 2020 23.59 Closing date for tender returns: Monday 17 August 2020 12.00 Contractor interviews/presentations: Tuesday 22 September 2020 to Thursday 24 September 2020 Standstill period: Friday 9 October 2020 to Monday 19 October 2020 23.59 Award contract: Tuesday 20 October 2020 Contract commencement: Thursday 1 April 2021 For lot 2 the initial base contract period will be for 3 years with possibility of extending the term by a further 5 years to a maximum total term of 8 years in increments to be agreed, subject to performance and agreement by both parties. Tenders against lot 2 are optional and may only be submitted on the condition that they accompany a compliant lot 1 bid. The Council may at its sole discretion decide which lot to award from, taking into account the differing balances of risk and reward that may be presented within the content of the bids as well as from analysis of wider external factors. All other requirements as per lot 1 description.