Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT
UK
Contact person: Annabel Travers
E-mail: annabel.travers@argyll-bute.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00063
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Provision of School & Local Transport Services, Oban & Lorn
Reference number: 1303N; 1304N; 1307N; 1308Q; 1310S; 1311P; 1325T; 1430M
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Argyll and Bute Council are looking to Contract with a transport operator who will provide safe and secure school and local transport services within Oban and Lorn.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM63
Main site or place of performance:
Argyll and Bute
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Argyll and Bute Council are looking to Contract with a transport operator who will provide safe and secure school and local transport services within Oban and Lorn.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Capacity
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Environmental Initiatives
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Fleet and Maintenance
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Method Statement - Discipline on Vehicles
/ Weighting: 4%
Quality criterion: Method Statement - Communications with Client
/ Weighting: 4%
Quality criterion: Community Benefits
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Fair Work Practices
/ Weighting: 0%
Quality criterion: Prompt Payment Performance
/ Weighting: 0%
Price
/ Weighting:
75%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
17/08/2026
End:
28/06/2031
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract end date (28/06/2031) is indicative only and is expected to occur immediately after schools close for the summer in 2031.
The Contract may be extended for a further period of up to two (2) years at the Council’s discretion, subject to satisfactory performance and following agreement with the Contractor.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
Where specific journeys within the TS1A documents (timetables) are identified as optional or subject to Council approval, the Tenderer shall provide separate and clearly identifiable prices for those journeys as detailed in Part 3: Specification and the Pricing Schedule.
Prices for these services shall be submitted in addition to the core Contract price and must not be incorporated into the base price for the Contract unless explicitly instructed.
The Council reserves the right, at Contract Award stage or at any point during the Contract Period, to:
- Include all, some or none of the separately priced journeys;
- Instruct their commencement or cessation; or
- Vary the scope of the Contract accordingly, without this giving rise to any entitlement to compensation beyond the agreed prices submitted for those services.
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.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
As detailed in the Invitation to Tender.
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As detailed in the Invitation to Tender.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
15/06/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
16/06/2026
Local time: 12:00
Place:
On-line via PCS Post-box.
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
4 years and 8 months or 6 years and 8 months from award.
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
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=831923.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
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:
Please see the attached Invitation to Tender.
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:
Please see attached Invitation to Tender.
(SC Ref:831923)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Oban Sheriff Court
Oban
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/05/2026