Supported Transport Dynamic Purchasing Solution (DPS) 2023

Oxfordshire County Council ('the Council') invites Applicants to apply to join a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Supported Transport services.

The purpose of Supported Transport is to plan, procure and manage transport services that are required to transport members of the public to essential amenities in the county, such as mainstream and special schools and social care establishments. The service also facilitates transport for some isolated communities through community transport initiatives and its own Comet Bus. We also manage the concessionary fares scheme, which allows for free travel for the elderly and some disability groups.

The service typically procures over 1500 unique routes over the course of a year, ranging from procuring just a single journey to a long-term arrangement over several years. Longer term requirements for mainstream special schools range from 4 to 6 years. The maximum contract length including extensions is 8 years.

The Council is introducing a DPS to create a more efficient process for tendering Supported Transport. This will involve introducing an electronic system known as DPS where Applicants will pre-qualify via a Standard Selection Questionnaire (SSQ). Successful Applicants will be invited to tender for services during a Call-Off mini competition.

The Service Categories covered by the DPS are:

• Mainstream home to school transport;
• Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND) transport;
• Social Care transport

Services will mainly be required within the Oxfordshire boundary and in some cases within bordering counties. Out of county services for the Service Categories defined above will also be tendered through the DPS.

For more detailed information and guidance on the DPS please see the DPS Introduction and Guidance Document published with this SSQ.