Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

DFT Operator Limited 'DFTO'

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PXPM-5448-GHBZ

Address:

2nd Floor, Waterloo General Offices, Waterloo Station
London
SE1 8SW
UK

Contact name:

Not provided

Email:

procurement@dftoperator.co.uk

Telephone:

Not provided

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

BODY_PUBLIC

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Tenders received:

0

Tenders assessed:

0

Tenders from SMEs:

0

Tenders from VCSEs:

0

Special regime:

Utilities

Scope

Title:

DFTO Ground Transportation

Reference number:

Not provided

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

Description:

DFT Operator "DFTO" intends to establish and operate a Dynamic Market to enable Train Operating Companies (TOCs) within the DFTO group and the public sector to run further call off competitions for Managed Bus/Coach (Rail Replacement Services) and Managed Taxi Services.

DFTO will act as the contracting authority for the establishment, governance and ongoing management of the Dynamic Market. Individual TOCs will act as Customers and will conduct Call-Off Competitions and award Call-Off Contracts under the Dynamic Market in their own capacity as contracting authorities.

The Dynamic Market will remain open for its duration, allowing Suppliers to apply for admission at any time, subject to meeting the Conditions for Membership. Admitted Suppliers will be invited by Customers to participate in Call-Off Competitions for specific requirements.

DFTO will not be a party to any Call-Off Contract awarded under the Dynamic Market unless expressly stated otherwise.

The structure of this Dynamic Market is intended to support future organisational change within the rail sector and may be utilised by successor bodies to DFTO in accordance with applicable legislation.

The term of the Dynamic Market is anticipated to be 8 years from the date of publication of the intentions notice (Estimated to be 31/03/2026). Please note for the purposes of publishing this notice nominal dates have been inputted and are not reflective of the actual . Contract start and end dates will determined by the users of the Dynamic Market.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Taxi-services./3C8SQCEM6M

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3C8SQCEM6M

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for:

Not provided

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded:

Not provided

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:

Not provided

Dynamic market dates:

01/06/2026 to 31/05/2034

Lots

Lot DFTO Ground Transportation - Lot 1 Buses and Coaches: Lot 1 Buses and Coaches

Description:

Managed Bus and Coach Services (Rail Replacement)
Suppliers will be expected to provide bus and coach transport services to replace or supplement rail services for the entire geographical area that they apply for.
This may include and is not limited to:
(a)Planned rail replacement services during engineering works
(b)Emergency rail replacement during disruption or service failure
(c)Event or demand management services
(d)Local shuttle services between stations
(e)Longer distance coach services where appropriate
Suppliers must provide:
(f)Suitable PSVAIR/PSVAR‐licensed vehicles and qualified drivers
(g)Capacity appropriate to passenger demand
(h)Coordination with rail operations and station staff
(i)Compliance with all applicable safety, transport and accessibility regulations

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

Yes

Value (estimated):

Not provided

CPV classifications:

34121000 - Buses and Coaches.

34121100 - Public-service buses.

60112000 - Public road transport services.

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver.

Contract can be extended:

No

Delivery regions:

UKM9 - Southern Scotland

UKM8 - West Central Scotland

UKM7 - Eastern Scotland

UKL14 - South West Wales

UKC - NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)

UKD - NORTH WEST (ENGLAND)

UKG - WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

UKH - EAST OF ENGLAND

UKK - SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND)

UKJ - SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND)

UKM - SCOTLAND

UKL - WALES

UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland

UKL1 - West Wales and The Valleys

---

Lot Lot 2: Lot 2 Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

Description:

Managed Taxi Services
Suppliers shall provide managed taxi and private hire vehicle services in the geographical area that they apply for to deliver the transportation of:
(a)Train crew (including drivers and conductors)
(b)Operational railway staff
(c)Passengers where alternative transport is required
This may include but is not limited to:
(d)Crew transport between depots, stations, and operational locations
(e)Passenger taxis during disruption, last train situations, accessibility requirements or where rail services cannot operate
(f)Ad‐hoc or pre‐booked journeys arranged through the Authority’s booking channels
(g)Accessible vehicles where required
(h)24/7 availability to support operational railway requirements
Suppliers may be required to provide booking management, dispatch, journey tracking and reporting capability.
Operational Requirements
Suppliers must:
(a)Provide reliable and timely services aligned with rail operational needs
(b)Maintain all appropriate licensing, insurance, and regulatory compliance
(c)Meet all applicable legal safety, safeguarding, and accessibility requirements
(d)Support 24/7 operations where required
(e)Provide data and reporting on journeys and performance

Suitable for SMEs:

No

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Value (estimated):

Not provided

CPV classifications:

60120000 - Taxi services.

Contract can be extended:

No

Delivery regions:

UKM9 - Southern Scotland

UKM8 - West Central Scotland

UKM7 - Eastern Scotland

UKL14 - South West Wales

UKC - NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)

UKD - NORTH WEST (ENGLAND)

UKG - WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

UKF - EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

UKI - LONDON

UKH - EAST OF ENGLAND

UKK - SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND)

UKM - SCOTLAND

UKL - WALES

UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland

UKL2 - East Wales

UKL1 - West Wales and The Valleys

Awarding Contracts

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers:

0.0

Further information about fees:

0

Can the dynamic market be used by other contracting authorities:

Yes

Only contracting authorities in specific locations:

Yes

Contracting authority locations:

UKM9 - Southern Scotland

UKM8 - West Central Scotland

UKM7 - Eastern Scotland

UKL14 - South West Wales

UKC - NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)

UKD - NORTH WEST (ENGLAND)

UKG - WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

UKF - EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

UKI - LONDON

UKH - EAST OF ENGLAND

UKJ - SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND)

UKM - SCOTLAND

UKL - WALES

UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland

UKL2 - East Wales

UKL1 - West Wales and The Valleys

Contracting authorities that may use the dynamic market:

Where used throughout this notice, the meaning of Train Operating Companies includes all and any of those train operating companies who, currently or in the future, provide services for the carriage of passengers by railway:

under a franchise agreement with the Secretary of State within the meaning of section 23(3) of the Railways Act 1993 or

under, or secured under, the Secretary of State’s duty in section 30(1) of the Railways Act 1993; or

in accordance with legislation which supersedes or amends the powers referred to in a) and b), including where such powers are transferred from the Secretary of State to another body.

‘The Dynamic market may be novated or assigned by DFTO to Train Operating Companies, or any successor parent company to DFTO or to a Train Operating Company, following a corporate restructuring or similar circumstance.

Documents

Associated tender documents:

Not provided

Technical specifications:

Not provided

Submission

Submission address and any special instructions:

Lot 1 Buses and Coaches - https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3C8SQCEM6M
Lot 2 Private Hire Vehicles and Taxis - https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/respond/YSC6H7YB2R

Suppliers please note the portal will not be open to accept applications until 01/06/2026 in line with this notice.

Other information

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):

No

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA):

No

A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:

Yes

Other organisations

Not provided