Transportation Service Tenders

An Introduction to Transportation Service Tenders

Transportation service tenders are released across a number of industries, each of which has their own specific requirements. This means that tenders in this sector can fall into a range of different categories, including:

• Haulage Tenders
• Freight Transportation Tenders
• Courier & Delivery Transportation Tenders
• Art & Museum Gallery Collection Tenders
• Passenger Transportation Tenders – including coach and bus services
• Patient Transportation Tenders – including ambulance services
• Transportation of Medical Products Tenders – including equipment and time sensitive substances such as blood, organs and tissue, etc.
• Removals Tenders
• Waste Transportation Tenders – including refuse and recyclable materials
• Taxi Transportation Tenders (including home to school services) for more information click here).

Who Commissions Transportation Service Tenders?

As indicated, transportation services are required across all sectors and so services are commissioned regularly by a broad spectrum of both private and public sector organisations. Some of the more active procurement bodies include government departments and agencies, local authorities, NHS England and local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) and Trusts.

In terms of procurement models these tend to vary depending on the service. Commissioners looking to appoint providers to deliver more specialised services and one off projects are likely to award single contracts, whereas the more commonly procured frameworks will usually see the approval of a number of suppliers. These are sometimes tendered using the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) model.  Where different categories of provision are delivered under the same framework agreement we would expect to see the different deliverables split across over individual lots.

What is Normally Involved in a Transportation Service Tender?

As the range of transportation needs vary from industry to industry and commissioner to commissioner, so too do tender submissions, although here you will see that we have identified some of the more common question sets:

• Relevant Contract Experience – the demonstration of relevant experience, delivering similar contracts on a comparable scale.
• Quality Management Systems – evidencing robust quality assurance systems, internal quality control procedures and dispute resolution procedures.
• Journey & Transport Management – outlining processes for the coordination and management of journeys, and management of ongoing capacity.
• Contingency Planning – descriptions of business continuity measures put in place to mitigate and prevent business disruption, ensuring continuity of service.
• Innovation – evidencing the use of innovative ideas and technologies to aid cost efficiency.
• Account Management – outlining account management processes, procedures and systems put in place to monitor contract performance.
• Staffing – describing recruitment, selection and training practices, including vetting procedures, and verification of licences and DBS checks (where applicable).
• Corporate Social Responsibility, including Environmental Sustainability – description of how you will contribute towards social, economic and environmental benefits.

The evaluation of quality criteria may be based on a combination of quality and price, i.e. the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), or it could just be down to quality alone.  In each scenario it’s important to remember is that quality is consistently the most important factor, and the more points a bidder picks up on quality, the more flexible they can be in respect of pricing. See our GLOSSARY for more useful tendering terminology.

Transportation service tenders will also expect bidders to confirm that they are compliant with a number of mandatory criteria, including being in possession of all the necessary driving and carrying licences, evidence that they comply with certain ISO standards, along with additional industry specific accreditations, e.g. accreditation by FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition System).  For more information on common accreditations in this sector click here.

Contract lifetimes will vary, with some lasting up to 10 years if extended, so if your bid is unsuccessful, you could be left out in the cold until the tender is released again.  Putting the appropriate resources into your bid can make all of the difference. Check out our latest WIN RATE to see how successful we’ve been over recent months.

How Can Your Tender Team Help with Writing a Transportation Service Tender?

Our expert Team of tendering professionals are equipped with the necessary industry knowledge, and understand how to compose comprehensive tender winning submissions in this sector, so you can be assured your tender will be in safe hands with Your Tender Team.

Need Help Writing Your Transportation Tender?

Your Tender Team is on hand to offer expert support and do the work so you don’t have to. See our FULL TENDER WRITE service for more details.

If you would like us to quote you for how much our Full Tender Write service is based on the tender you wish to bid, please use our ‘Get A Quote’ tab on the right handside of the screen now.  

Write Tenders Yourself? We Will Structure It And Offer Feedback Before Submission

If you wish to write your own bid, we can support you at every stage of your response through our REVIEW & EVALUATION service.

Use our ‘Get A Quote’ tab today and one of our team members will be in touch with a quotation. 

See What The Press Says About Our Tender Wins

Don’t just take our word for it! Your Tender Team has been in the press a fair bit recently. Check out one of the articles on Business Live HERE.