Provision of Local Bus Transport for Students to New College Durham

{
  "awards": [
    {
      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "contractPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2026-06-26T23:59:59+01:00",
        "startDate": "2025-10-16T00:00:00+01:00"
      },
      "documents": [
        {
          "datePublished": "2025-10-02T15:37:41+01:00",
          "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
          "documentType": "awardNotice",
          "format": "text/html",
          "id": "061846-2025",
          "noticeType": "UK5",
          "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061846-2025"
        }
      ],
      "id": "1",
      "items": [
        {
          "additionalClassifications": [
            {
              "description": "Transport services (excl. Waste transport)",
              "id": "60000000",
              "scheme": "CPV"
            }
          ],
          "deliveryAddresses": [
            {
              "country": "GB",
              "countryName": "United Kingdom",
              "region": "UKC"
            }
          ],
          "id": "1",
          "relatedLot": "1"
        }
      ],
      "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
      "milestones": [
        {
          "dueDate": "2025-10-16T23:59:59+01:00",
          "id": "1",
          "status": "scheduled",
          "type": "futureSignatureDate"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
        "1"
      ],
      "status": "pending",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-2057284",
          "name": "Go North East Limited"
        }
      ],
      "value": {
        "amountGross": 1119840,
        "currency": "GBP"
      }
    }
  ],
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-CHC-XR6326",
    "name": "New College Durham"
  },
  "date": "2025-10-02T15:37:41+01:00",
  "id": "061846-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05a723",
  "parties": [
    {
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PXXW-9561-YPNJ",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ],
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Durham",
        "postalCode": "DH1 5ES",
        "region": "UKC14",
        "streetAddress": "Framwellgate Moor Campus"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "purchasing@newdur.ac.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government",
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ]
      },
      "id": "GB-CHC-XR6326",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "XR6326",
        "scheme": "GB-CHC"
      },
      "name": "New College Durham",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    },
    {
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PTBQ-4849-GVJP",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ],
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Newcastle",
        "postalCode": "NE1 6EE",
        "region": "UKC22",
        "streetAddress": "3rd Floor, 41-51 Grey Street"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "gne.contracts@gonortheast.co.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "scale": "large",
        "url": "http://www.gonortheast.co.uk",
        "vcse": false
      },
      "id": "GB-COH-2057284",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "2057284",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "name": "Go North East Limited",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "description": "The contracting authority intends to award a contract for the provision of local bus transport services to facilitate the travel of students from all surrounding areas to New College Durham sites within County Durham.\nThe service must provide:\n\u2022\tFrequent services to accommodate flexible college hours, recognising that students do not always travel within traditional core times. (covering all routes during college hours every 15 minutes)\n\u2022\tNumerous pick-up and drop-off locations across the surrounding areas to ensure accessibility for all students.\n\u2022\tAffordable transport solutions, taking into account the financial pressures on students and families.\n\u2022\tModern ticketing options, including the use of a mobile app or travel card, to allow easy access, booking, and monitoring of journeys.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
        "id": "conflictOfInterest"
      }
    ],
    "id": "NCD477",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "complete"
      }
    ],
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "This contract is being directly awarded without competition under the relevant provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 on the grounds that only Go North East has the operational capability, fleet availability, established network, and route coverage necessary to deliver the required services in full.\nKey reasons include:\n\u2022\tExclusive Coverage: Go North East is the sole operator with an existing network of scheduled and supported services covering all surrounding areas of County Durham required for student transport.\n\u2022\tOperational Readiness: The provider already operates buses on the required routes and can mobilise immediately without the need for additional infrastructure or licensing.\n\u2022\tService Flexibility: Go North East has the fleet and scheduling capacity to deliver services across a broad range of hours, matching the flexible nature of college timetables.\n\u2022\tAccessibility: The operator can provide numerous pick-up and drop-off points to match the college\u0027s requirements.\n\u2022\tAffordable Travel: Go North East is uniquely positioned to deliver services at affordable student rates through its established fare structures and concessionary schemes.\n\u2022\tDigital Ticketing: The provider already offers modern travel solutions including mobile apps and travel cards, which are necessary for student convenience and efficient service management.\n\u2022\tNo Viable Alternative: Market assessment confirmed that no other local operator can provide comprehensive coverage across the catchment area while meeting the frequency, affordability, and technology requirements.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
      }
    ],
    "status": "complete",
    "title": "Provision of Local Bus Transport for Students to New College Durham"
  }
}