Purpose

That the cabinet member transport and infrastructure approves the establishment and implementation of a new Open Framework for Passenger Transport Services.

Decision

a)    To approve the implementation of a new Open Framework for Passenger Transport Services; and

b)    To delegate authority to Chief Operating Officer – Resident Services, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure to take all necessary operational decisions, including but not limited to entering into contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision by December 2027.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Dynamic Markets (not recommended) 1. 2. 3. 4. A dynamic market is a list of qualified suppliers (i.e. suppliers who have met the ‘conditions for membership’ of the dynamic market) who are eligible to participate in future procurements. A dynamic market may be split into categories with suppliers only eligible to participate in the parts for which they have qualified. Dynamic markets are dynamic insofar as they must remain open to new suppliers to join at any time. They can be used for all types of purchases of goods, services or works. However, they do not allow as much flexibility as a DPS as they cannot be used to procure below UK threshold contracts which are service contracts with a value of below £173,100 (net). The requirements for the service are to procure a wide range of passenger services which will include contracts with values that are both, below and above the UK services threshold. A dynamic market is therefore not a suitable option for the Council’s transport requirements.

Option 2 – Framework (also known as a closed framework) (not recommended) 5.

A framework is a contract between the Council and one or more suppliers that establishes the terms for awarding future contracts to the supplier or suppliers, known as “call-offs”. The framework sets out the provisions under which future contracts for the supply of services are to be awarded. 6. 7. 8. This mechanism allows the Council to make regular purchases of services efficiently over a period without needing to run repetitive, full-scale tender processes each time. The maximum duration of a framework is 4 years. There is no minimum or maximum number of suppliers that must be appointed to a framework. However, the suppliers remain fixed on the framework for the duration and there is no ability to add suppliers during the term of the framework. A framework is therefore not a suitable option for the Council’s transport requirements.