1819-0130 812 Bus Service

Islington Council invites suitable expressions of interest from suppliers for 1819-0130 812 Bus Service


Current status / Background

The current service provides a local, accessible transport route that is available to all to use, but which has been developed to focus on the needs of older and disabled people who have difficulties accessing mainstream public transport. The service enables users to maintain independent lives by accessing shops, services, day centres and doctor’s clinics along the route.


The requirement

The successful service provider will need to operate the route 812 in accordance with the London Service Permit awarded by Transport for London (TfL). Therefore, they will have to have a valid TfL service permit at the time that the contract begins.

The route shall be operated as a hail and ride service to a set timetable with a requirement of two vehicles to provide a 30 – 45 minute service (starting with a 45 min service during the morning peak to ensure timetable reliability, reverting to 30min service after the morning peak period). The service will operate Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 9.15am to 4.30pm.

The service runs between Hoxton and the Angel along roads such as Bath Street, Packington Street, Tolpuddle Street (for nearby supermarkets), Percy Circus, Skinner Street (for Exmouth Market), Old Street (Golden Lane) and Dufferin Street. For route details see the route description and map attached to the specification in the tender pack.

Vehicle requirements include the use of single decker buses that have low floors and footway facing wheelchair accessible ramps that can be boarded at bus stops or hailed anywhere along the route were it is safe to do so. On-board seating requirements include the provision of at least 1 dedicated wheelchair space, 9 seats and flexible space for shopping trolleys and bags.
Vehicle widths are an important consideration of the vehicle requirements as there are several road width restrictions (i.e. 7’ 2” on Great Percy Street and Prebend Street) along the bus route that cannot be removed or detoured around. The Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) requirements is operational from the 8 April 2019. Vehicles need to meet new, tighter exhaust emission standards (ULEX standard), or pay a daily charge to travel within the area of the ULEZ.


Lots

The contract will not be split into lots to ensure continuity of a reliable, customer focused bus service.

TUPE [Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations]

Potential providers must be aware that TUPE may or may not apply to this service. Further details will be available in the invitation to tender.


Contract Period

The contract period will be for 18 months from an estimated start date of 01 October 2019 with two options to extend of up to 12 months each (42 months in total).


Contract Value

The estimated total cost of operating this contract is approximately £700,000 over the maximum 42 month term. This is based on approximately £200,000 per annum. Islington Council will contribute £100,000 per annum for this service contract. The successful applicant will be required to cost the service and meet any funding shortfall by contributing resources and/or external funding to meet the full operating costs.


Award criteria

The contract will be awarded to the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations. MEAT for this contract is quality 50% and cost 50%. Tender submissions will be subject to minimum quality thresholds of 30% or above. Further details will be provided in the invitation to tender.

Cost 50%
Quality 50%

Cost made up of:
Cost of Service (20%)
Provider contribution and external funding generation (30%)

Quality made up of:
Proposed approach to service operation, resilience, reliability and sustainability (20%)
Proposed approach to performance management and customer service (15%)
Proposed approach to monitoring usage and equality (10%)
Proposed approach to health and safety (5%)

Total 100%

Tenderers should be aware that we reserve the right to hold site visits and/or require presentations and/or interviews during the tender process. Site visits and/or presentations and/or interviews will be for verification/clarification purposes of the written submission.

We reserve the right to interview leading bidders.


Procurement Process

This contract will be procured using the Open Procedure. The Open Procedure means that all bidders who successfully express an interest will automatically be invited to tender and have access to the tender documents. Those who submit a tender and meet the minimum requirements will have their full tender, method statements and pricing evaluated.