DPS Transport for Education, Social care and other transport requirements (East Lothian Council)

Notice summary

-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)

Opportunity overview

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.

Lot 1 — MPVs (5-8 seats), including salon cars (4 seats).

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). 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.

Award criterion: Quality

Extension: 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.

Lot 2 — MPV- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)- (5-8 seats)

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). 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.

Award criterion: Quality

Extension: 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.

Lot 3 — Minibus (9-16 seats), including wheelchair accessible vehicles of this capacity

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. 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.

Award criterion: Quality

Extension: 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.

Lot 4 — Vehicles above 17 seats

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. 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.

Award criterion: Quality

Extension: 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.

Contracting authority

East Lothian Council John Muir House, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3HA, UKM73, United Kingdom Email: procurement@eastlothian.gov.uk Website: http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Restricted procedure

Legal basis: 32014L0024

Submission deadline: 20 April 2034 at 12:00 pm

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

60112000 — Public road transport services; 60120000 — Taxi services; 34114400 — Minibuses; 34121500 — Coaches; 34121000 — Buses and coaches

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to the buyer’s electronic tendering system. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

Open the buyer’s electronic tendering system ↗

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If DPS Transport for Education, Social care and other transport requirements (East Lothian Council) is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.