Provision of School & Local Transport Services, Oban & Lorn

What this is

Argyll and Bute Council is procuring school and local transport services for the Oban and Lorn area. The contract requires a transport operator to provide safe and secure school transport services for pupils within the Oban and Lorn geographic area. The contract is renewed annually with extensive evaluation criteria covering fleet quality, environmental initiatives, vehicle discipline, and community benefits.

Key points

• Price is the dominant criterion at 75% — highly competitive pricing is essential
• School transport for pupils in Oban and Lorn — operator licences, fleet compliance and discipline mandatory
• Additional optional service prices must be submitted separately from core price
• Submission deadline 17 June 2026 at 12:00 via Public Contracts Scotland

Who can bid

Open procedure. Bidders must hold valid transport operator licence. Fleet compliance, capacity, and financial standing requirements per SPD. Prices for optional services must be submitted separately from the core contract base price.

How it is scored

Quality 25% · Price 75% Price-dominated: 75% Price. Quality criteria: Capacity 5%, Environmental Initiatives 5%, Fleet & Maintenance 5%, Discipline on Vehicles 4%, Communications 4%, Community Benefits 2%, Fair Work Practices 0% (pass/fail), Prompt Payment 0% (pass/fail).

How to submit

Tenders submitted electronically via Public Contracts Scotland portal.

Clarifications

Clarification questions via Public Contracts Scotland messaging prior to deadline of 17 June 2026 at 12:00.

Contract period

Annual contract with renewal option. Transport services across Oban and Lorn area.

Classification

CPV 60000000 — Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ScotlandHighlands and IslandsArgyll and Bute