Social and other specific services – public contracts
Prior information notice - This notice is a call for competition
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College
RC000823
Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill
Egham
TW20 0EX
UK
Contact person: Helen Booth
Telephone: +44 01784443044
E-mail: helen.booth@rhul.ac.uk
NUTS: UKJ2
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/154962
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=104589&B=RHUL
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=104589&B=RHUL
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
University Bus Service
Reference number: RHUL-26033
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The University is looking to appoint one (1) supplier to deliver a pay-to-use, low-emission bus service providing reliable transport for staff and students travelling to and from the Egham campus. The contract shall commence on 1 September 2026, with full services commencing on the start of each autumn term, (21 September 2026 for Year 1). The initial contract term will be three (3) years, with two (2) optional twelve (12) month extensions to 2031. The service will support the University’s aims to reduce car use, improve air quality, enhance community safety, and provide additional capacity during peak times and major University events. The supplier will be expected to demonstrate strong customer service, reliable performance, and a commitment to continuous improvement aligned with the University’s sustainability and carbon-reduction goals.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
2 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60112000
60130000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ2
Main site or place of performance:
Surrey
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University is looking to appoint one (1) supplier to deliver a pay-to-use, low-emission bus service providing reliable transport for staff and students travelling to and from the Egham campus. The contract shall commence on 1 September 2026, with full services commencing on the start of each autumn term, (21 September 2026 for Year 1). The initial contract term will be three (3) years, with two (2) optional twelve (12) month extensions to 2031. The service will support the University’s aims to reduce car use, improve air quality, enhance community safety, and provide additional capacity during peak times and major University events. The supplier will be expected to demonstrate strong customer service, reliable performance, and a commitment to continuous improvement aligned with the University’s sustainability and carbon-reduction goals. Service performance will be monitored through regular contract review meetings supported by performance measures covering punctuality, completed journeys, customer satisfaction, passenger volumes, revenue, sustainability metrics, and incident reporting. This bus service is a critical component of the University’s transport infrastructure, providing essential connectivity between Egham railway station, the main campus, Hox Park, Englefield Green, and other key residential and academic locations. Demand varies throughout the academic year, with peaks during term time, early mornings, late afternoons, and University events. This procurement therefore seeks to secure a flexible, customer focused supplier capable of delivering a safe, sustainable, and responsive service aligned with the University’s strategic direction, campus developments, and net-zero ambitions.
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
2 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 60
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
Rules and criteria can be found in the tender documentation.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Participation is reserved to a particular profession: Yes
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:
Bus service operators.
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
See tender documentation.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.11) Main features of the award procedure:
See tender documentation
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date:
12/05/2026
Local time: 11:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.5) Scheduled date for start of award procedures
09/06/2026
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
14/04/2026