West Midlands Small Franchised Bus Services

In accordance with the UK13 Dynamic Market Intention Notice, this opportunity relates to applying for the Qualifying Utilities Dynamic Market (QUDM) being established by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for the procurement of Small Franchised Bus Services. The Dynamic Market is being established as part of the WMCA's bus franchising programme, under which the West Midlands bus network will transition from a deregulated system into public control.

The Dynamic Market covers the operation of local bus services and associated activities, as described in the Invitation to Apply for Membership (IAM). Contracts are expected to be operated using the operator's own fleet and depot facilities, and current planning assumptions indicate an overall peak vehicle requirement representing around 15% of the franchised network. The Dynamic Market has been designed to support proportionate access for operators of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and consortia.

The Invitation to Apply for Membership (IAM) for the Dynamic Market is available to download. The IAM is made available to all potential suppliers (Applicants) that are interested in tendering for Small Franchised Bus Services contracts and associated services under the Dynamic Market.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Proactis, by completing and submitting a response to the Dynamic Market Questionnaire (DMQ) (Appendix 2 to the IAM), together with any other information required by the IAM. No other method of submission will be accepted. The WMCA shall assess each Application in accordance with the IAM. The Dynamic Market will remain open to Applications throughout its duration, and Applicants that satisfy the Conditions of Membership and are not excluded suppliers may be admitted at any time.

Under the Dynamic Market, Invitations to Tender (ITTs) will be issued in three tranches. Each tranche may be sub divided into one or more lots, as set out in the relevant ITT.

Indicative tranche ITT issue dates:

• Tranche 1 – 5 October 2026
• Tranche 2 – From January 2027
• Tranche 3 – From February 2028

Further information on the tranches, including the indicative scope of contracts in each tranche, is set out in the IAM. The above dates are indicative and may be subject to change at the WMCA's absolute discretion.

Applicants intending to participate in a particular tranche must submit their Application in line with the timescales set out in the IAM, to enable the WMCA to assess and (if successful) admit them as a Member. For Tranche 1, Applications must be submitted by no later than 1200 hrs (BST) on 18 September 2026. Suppliers that do not apply on or before this date/time will be unable to take part in the procurement process for Tranche 1, and suppliers with pending Applications at the point of ITT issue will not receive an ITT for that tranche. Missing a tranche cut off does not prevent a supplier from applying for membership in respect of subsequent tranches.