Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
East Lothian Council
John Muir House
Haddington, East Lothian
EH41 3HA
UK
Telephone: +44 1620827827
E-mail: procurement@eastlothian.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM73
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00181
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
DPS Transport for Education, Social care and other transport requirements (East Lothian Council)
Reference number: ELC-26-0730
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60112000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
East Lothian Council ("ELC") are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area.
ELC is setting up a Dynamic Purchasing System ("DPS") to procure these contracts. A DPS is completely electronic system and is similar to a framework agreement but a key difference is that, unlike a framework agreement, suppliers can join a DPS at any time.
Contracts operated through this DPS can generally be undertaken by taxis, private hire cars, minibuses and buses, including the requirement for those of these vehicles to be capable of carrying passengers in wheelchairs.
The DPS will be split into the following categories:
-Category 1: MPVs (5-8 seats), including salon cars (4 seats).
-Category 2: MPV- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats)
-Category 3: Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles
-Category 4: Vehicles above 17 seats
Contracts under the DPS will be awarded following mini competitions.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
43 717 860.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
MPVs (5-8 seats), including salon cars (4 seats).
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
34114400
34121500
34121000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM73
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area.
This Lot is for MPVs (5-8 seats) including salon cars (4 seats).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
90
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 96
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 100
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the
situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
MPV- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
34114400
34121000
34121500
60120000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM73
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area.
This Lot is for MPVs- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
90
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 96
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 100
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the
situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles of this capacity
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
34114400
34121000
34121500
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM73
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area.
This is is for Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles of this capacity.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
90
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 96
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 100
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the
situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Vehicles above 17 seats
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
34114400
34121000
34121500
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM73
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
East Lothian Council are responsible for the procurement of service transport contracts to meet the education and social care needs as well as other passenger or transport requirements. Most of the transport will be within East Lothian area.
This Lot is for Vehicles above 17 seats.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
90
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 96
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Whilst it is not anticipated the period of the DPS will be extended, contracts awarded under it may be extended and may run beyond the original period of the DPS.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 100
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the
situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
Tenderer(s) not in possession of one of the specified licences will not be given any further consideration.
The Tenderer must be any of the following:
i. the holder of a current Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence; or
ii. a Taxi or Private Hire Car (PHC) operator licensed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
It is a requirement that the Operator holds, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any contract, the minimum levels of insurance stated below.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
- Employer’s Liability – in the sum of not less than 5GBP million in respect of any one event and unlimited in the period, for the duration of the contract, unless exempt under the Employer's Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
- Public Liability – not less than 5GBP million for any one incident and unlimited in total, unless otherwise agreed by the Council in writing.
-Motor Vehicle Insurance, for each vehicle which must be insured for private hire, including the carriage of passengers and goods for hire and reward purposes. Unlimited cover for third party death or bodily injury; and a minimum of 5 GBP million sterling for third party property damage per claim.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Vehicles Details Form to be completed
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Vehicle plate names to demonstrate compliance with criteria III.1.1 and III.2.1
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:
The Tenderer must be any of the following:
i. the holder of a current Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence; or
ii. a Taxi or Private Hire Car (PHC) operator licensed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
East Lothian Council Terms and Conditions apply.
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2026/S 000-020540
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
20/04/2034
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
20/04/2034
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
This is a recurring requirement for East Lothian Council. It is anticipated the renewal process will commence 9 months before the expiry
of this Dynamic Purchasing System in 2034
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
-It is a requirement of the contract that all individuals who will be engaged in the delivery of the contracts must be appropriately vetted in accordance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
-Bidders will also be subject to Police Scotland checks and comply with GDPR Data Regulations.
-Suppliers interested in this opportunity are invited to attend a free webinar event with the Supplier Development Programme.
Please note this is a live demonstration of how to bid for this contract using PCS-T.
The event is taking place online on 23rd April 2026, 10:30am-12:00pm.
To register, visit the following link:
https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/aligned-tender-training-east-lothian-councils-transport-journeys-dps-2074/
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 31372. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
Sub contracting is only allowed in limited circumstances to other operators on the DPS.
See the applicable Terms and Conditions of Contract for full details.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
There is a contractual obligation for the delivery of Community Benefits once the aggregate spend with ELC reaches 50K in any financial year.
(SC Ref:828906)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Court
Edinburgh
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/04/2026