Report - Contract Authorisation Report for the Framework for Transportation
Renfrewshire Council · 18 May 2026
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 18 May 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board On: 18 May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: The Director of Finance and Resources and the Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Contract Authorisation Report for the Framework for Transportation (RC-CPU-25-051) ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board to authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to appoint a place on the Renfrewshire Council Framework for Transportation (RC-CPU-25-051) (“Framework”) to each of the Tenderers detailed within Appendix 1 of this report. 1.2 The recommendation to award this Framework follows a procurement exercise which was conducted as an Open Procedure for an above Threshold Framework Agreement in accordance the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended and in accordance with the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders relating to Contracts. 1.3 A Contract Strategy for this Framework was approved by the Strategic Category Manager on 18 February 2026 and the Head of Education, Children’s Services on 26 February 2026. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board: 2.1 Authorises the Head of Corporate Governance to appoint the 13 recommended Tenderers listed in Appendix 1 of this report to the Framework for Transportation, reference RC-CPU-25-051.
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PUBLIC 2.2 Authorises the maximum total spend of up to £20million (excluding VAT), for all Call-off Contracts made under this Framework; 2.3 Authorises the Framework for a Duration of 4 years. The anticipated Commencement Date of the Framework is 12 June 2026 however the actual Commencement Date will be confirmed in the Council’s Letter of Acceptance to each of the Tenderers listed in Appendix 1 of this report; 2.4 Notes that all Call-off Contracts made under the Framework will be subject to further competition to ensure best value for the Council. Call-off Contracts will be awarded on a Lot by Lot basis with only the Service Providers awarded onto the specific Lot being eligible to bid. 2.5 Notes that each Service Provider’s Appointed Date to the Framework may be after the Commencement Date, but that no Call-off Procedures will commence until all recommended Service Providers have been appointed to the Framework. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Renfrewshire Council has a requirement to provide transportation for children with Additional Support Needs (“ASN”), with or without an escort, from their home address to school. The Council also requires ad hoc bus and taxi services across a variety of Council services from time to time. 3.2 The previous Framework Contract for Transportation RC-CPU-20-385 (old Framework) expired on 26 January 2026; however, this old Framework provided that Call-off Contracts awarded under it could expire after the old Framework expiry date. Call-off Contracts currently in place ensure that the required provision will be met until 30 June 2026. 3.3 This new Framework will contain 4 Lots: Lot 1 Additional Support Needs Buses; Lot 2 Additional Support Needs Taxis; Lot 3 Ad-Hoc Buses and Lot 4 Ad-Hoc Taxis. 3.4 The procurement process was the Open Procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders Relating to Contracts for an above Threshold Services Framework Agreement. 3.5 The Contract Notice was published on the Find a Tender Service via the Public Contracts Scotland website on 12 March 2026. The Invitation to Tender was also published and available on this date from Public Contracts Scotland – Tender. The Tender Deadline was 12 noon on 14 April 2026. 3.6 The number of economic operators/Tenderers who noted interest in the procurement process is as follows: Tender Opportunity Master Lot 1 Lot 2 Lot 3 Lot 4 Economic Operators Viewed 30 15 19 15 16 Economic Operators Declined to Respond 17 9 11 10 9 Tender Submissions 13 6 8 5 7
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PUBLIC Those who did not respond either could not meet the scope within the Service Specification, did not meet the minimum tender requirements, or had insufficient capacity. 3.7 Tenderers had to submit a Master ITT and at least 1 Lot ITT to form a complete Tender Submission. All 13 Tenderers detailed in Appendix 1 submitted complete Tender Submissions, however, 1 Tenderer failed to submit a Master ITT (submitting only a Lot 2 ITT and a Lot 4 ITT). This Tenderer was not evaluated any further, as it did not comply with the instructions within the Invitation to Tender. 3.8 The Master ITT contained a pre-determined set of criteria in the form of the Single Procurement Document (SPD) (Scotland) and bidder selection criteria which assessed competence, expertise and financial stability. The Master ITT from each Tenderer was evaluated by the Corporate Procurement Unit (CPU), Children’s Services, Health and Safety, Cyber Security and Compliance and Finance teams. All 13 Tenderers recommended to be appointed to the Framework (Appendix 1) were confirmed as meeting the minimum selection criteria set within the SPD (Scotland) and progressed to evaluation against the published Award Criteria which was based on a weighting of 70% Quality and 30% Price. 3.9 The Master ITT contained quality criteria which assessed Tenderers’ approach to Service Delivery, Fair Work Practices and Community Benefits. This structure meant that all Tenderers had to complete these questions only once for whatever Lot(s) they chose to bid for. Responses were evaluated by CPU and Children’s Services. 3.10 Tenderers had to complete Lot ITT(s) relevant to their preferred means of delivering services. These Lot IITs each contained insurance requirements and a Commercial Envelope, in which the Pricing was 30% of the total score. 3.11 The Quality, Commercial and Total Scores of Tenderers recommended (per Lot) to be appointed to the Framework are set out in Appendix 1. 3.12 The Framework is not ranked and all Call-off Contracts will be awarded through further competition, which will use a weighting of 30% Quality (pro rata from the score achieved for appointment to the Framework, shown in Appendix 2) and 70% Price, based on the requirements of each Call-off Contract, to achieve Best Value. 3.13 Tenderers were required to confirm their commitment to delivering Community Benefits throughout the Duration of the Framework, or after the End Date for those which are due in the final 12 months of the Framework. Community Benefits will be linked to cumulative annual spend of Call-off Contracts awarded to each Service Provider. Community Benefits which the Tenderers recommended for award proposed include: • Business advice/support to an SME/Social Enterprise/Voluntary organisation;
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PUBLIC • Financial Support for a Community Project/Group/Social Enterprise; • Graduate opportunity; • Modern Apprenticeship; • Job for an unemployed individual/individual from a Priority Group; • Non-financial support for a Social Enterprise within Renfrewshire; • Work Experience Placement for an individual 16+ years of age (who is not currently in employment, education or training) and preferably from an identified priority group. • Work Placement for an individual aged 14+ years of age (and currently in full-time education) and preferably from an identified priority group. 3.14 One Tenderer who made Tender Submission in respect of Lot 2 and Lot 4 (taxi provision) indicated they would be unable to deliver Community Benefits. CPU will continue to monitor spend - but as this Service Provider is a sole trader and single vehicle operator, it may be that spend with this Service Provider will not reach a threshold where it would be proportionate and appropriate to request Community Benefits. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - The maximum approved value of £20million, excluding VAT, for the Duration of the Framework, will be met from Children’s Services revenue budgets. As this is a Framework, there is no guarantee of award of any Call-off Contracts or business for any Service Provider appointed to the Framework. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None directly arising from this report. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Fair – nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all: o Protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities, including children and young people who are at risk; o Placing the rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of our decision making and service delivery 4. Legal - This procurement was carried out in accordance with the procedures for creation of an above Threshold Framework Agreement as permitted under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended, and the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders Relating to Contracts. 5. Property/Assets - None directly arising from this report. 6. Information Technology - The Council’s Security and Compliance team evaluated the cyber security evidence submitted by each of the 13 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Framework (Appendix 1) to ensure safety of any information passed between those Tenderers and Renfrewshire Council.
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PUBLIC 7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored. 8. Health & Safety - The Corporate Health and Safety team evaluated the Health and Safety evidence submitted by each of the 13 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Framework (Appendix 1), and these met the Council’s minimum requirements. 9. Procurement – The procurement procedures outlined within this report shall ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements in respect of procurement procedures, efficiency and modern Government. 10. Risk - The Council’s Risk team evaluated the insurance evidence submitted by each of the 13 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Framework (Appendix 1), and these met the Council’s minimum requirements. 11. Privacy Impact - The Council’s Information Governance Team and Children’s Services conducted a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) as part of the procurement exercise. Each of the 13 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Framework (Appendix 1) will be Data Controllers and will be required to comply with the Conditions of Contract including Data Protection Conditions – and will be required to complete a Data Processing Agreement. 12. Climate Risk - The level of impact associated with the services was assessed using the Scottish Government Sustainability Test and is considered to be low impact. Although Renfrewshire Council area does not operate a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), some Call-off Contracts may require travel within the Glasgow LEZ zone, so this will have to be considered to ensure availability of suitable vehicles. The Council would encourage a positive approach to Sustainability under this Framework. Service Providers will be expected to ensure drivers undertake the most direct and safest route possible to minimise the impact on the environment. Service Providers will be required to comply with the Renfrewshire Council idling policy, as it is an offence under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003. 13. Children’s Rights - This report demonstrates compliance with Articles 1 – 42 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children’s Services carried out an Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment to ensure that the activities carried out have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights are anticipated, as one of the key aims of the Framework is to ensure equality for children with additional support needs to attend educational settings. 14. Cosla Policy Position – No implications directly arising from this report.
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PUBLIC _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers - None _________________________________________________________ Author: Shona Brydson, Senior Procurement Specialist, Corporate Procurement Unit, shona.brydson@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 Recommended Tenderers for Framework for Transportation (RC-CPU-25-051) Lot 1 – ASN Buses Tenderer Registration Number Quality Price Total Ian MacMillan t/a Marleigh Hire Sole Trader 61.75% 29.72% 91.47% Marbill Coach Services Ltd SC071529 66.00% 24.63% 90.63% GMT Travel Ltd t/a Westway Coaches SC340683 60.00% 25.61% 85.61% McColl’s Travel Ltd SC163310 66.25% 15.53% 81.78% Boyds Coach Hire Ltd SC150742 38.50% 30.00% 68.50% T W Bradley Contracts ltd SC257338 23.25% 21.55% 44.80% Lot 2 – ASN Taxis Tenderer Registration Number Quality Price Total Gladi8tor Transfers & Travel SC747510 60.50% 25.38% 85.88% Paisley Cab Co Ltd. trading as Renfrewshire Cab Company SC193574 62.75% 21.29% 84.04% Ryan Kidd t/a Ryan Kidd Hires Sole Trader 63.00% 18.86% 81.86% Chester Paul Greig Sole Trader 32.50% 30.00% 62.50% TOA Cabs Ltd SC282159 33.00% 15.71% 48.71% Charles Thomson Sole Trader 31.25% 17.02% 48.27% Wilson Manuel Sole Trader 28.00% 9.92% 37.92% Lot 3 – Ad-hoc Buses Tenderer Registration Number Quality Price Total Ian MacMillan t/a Marleigh Hire Sole Trader 61.75% 25.65% 87.40% Marbill Coach Services Ltd SC071529 66.00% 20.08% 86.08% GMT Travel Ltd t/a Westway Coaches SC340683 60.00% 19.77% 79.77% McColl’s Travel Ltd SC163310 66.25% 13.04% 79.29% Boyds Coach Hire Ltd SC150742 38.50% 30.00% 68.50% Lot 4 – Ad-hoc Taxis Tenderer Registration Number Quality Price Total Paisley Cab Co Ltd. trading as Renfrewshire Cab Company SC193574 62.75% 22.50% 85.25% Gladi8tor Transfers & Travel SC747510 60.50% 23.48% 83.98% Ryan Kidd t/a Ryan Kidd Hires Sole Trader 63.00% 20.22% 83.22% Chester Paul Greig Sole Trader 32.50% 30.00% 62.50% TOA Cabs Ltd SC282159 33.00% 19.29% 52.29% Charles Thomson Sole Trader 31.25% 16.58% 47.83%
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PUBLIC Appendix 2 Pro-rata Tenderer Scores for the purposes of Call-off Contracts Tenderer Framework Quality Score Pro-rata Score McColl’s Travel Ltd 66.25% 28.39% Marbill Coach Services Ltd 66.00% 28.29% Ryan Kidd T/A Ryan Kidd Hires 63.00% 27.00% Paisley Cab Co Ltd. trading as Renfrewshire Cab Company 62.75% 26.89% Ian MacMillan T/A Marleigh Hire 61.75% 26.46% Gladi8tor Transfers & Travel 60.50% 25.93% GMT Travel Ltd t/a Westway Coaches 60.00% 25.71% Boyds Coach Hire Ltd 38.50% 16.50% TOA Cabs Ltd 33.00% 14.14% Chester Paul Greig 32.50% 13.93% Charles Thomson 31.25% 13.39% Wilson Manuel 28.00% 12.00% T W Bradley Contracts ltd 23.25% 9.96%