Public procurement notice: Contract Award Notice
Published: 2017-12-14
Buyer: University of Southampton
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Competitive procedure with negotiation
CPV classification: 34120000: Motor vehicles for transport of persons | 34121000: Buses | 34121100: Public-service buses | 34121300 | 34121400
Estimated value: 40000000 GBP
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The University of Southampton sought a contractor to provide and operate our Uni-Link bus network, and to build upon the successful operation that has been delivered to date.
The University have operated the Uni-Link bus network since 2001, as a means to transport students between University teaching campuses and halls of residence. The network has grown since its inception, and routes have expanded to connect other key destinations in Southampton such as the city centre, railways stations, and ferry terminal. There are 4 existing bus routes. Although it remains focussed on student travel, Uni-Link services cater for staff commuting trips and forms an important part of the University Travel Plan. The nature of the University activities is such that demand for bus travel will fluctuate during the day (morning and afternoon) and throughout the year. The contractor is expected to provide a flexible operation to accommodate changes in demand.
The University of Southampton sought a Contractor to provide and operate our Uni-Link bus network. Uni-Link is operated as a bus service for use by both students and the general public, and has become a recognised public transport provider in Southampton, with a significant proportion of trips made by people external to the University.
The nature of University activities is such that demand for bus travel will fluctuate during the day (with morning and afternoon peaks for travel), and the year (with greater demand at the start of the academic year, and during events organised by the University or Students Union for example). The contractor will be expected to provide a flexible operation which is able to react to changes in demand. It is recognised that this may require the provision of duplicate or additional vehicles operating outside of the agreed Uni-Link timetable.
Stage 3 - Invitation to Negotiate stage: Bidders shortlisted from Invitation to Tender stage were invited to negotiate with the University their response contained within ITN File 1 - Commercial Response. No other documentation contained within the Invitation to Tender was open to negotiation. Once negotiations concluded, bidders were invited to submit their final ITN File 1 - Commercial Response.
Based on previous contract performance, the expectation was that the contract will generate in the region of 3 000 000 GBP and 4 000 000 GBP in passenger income per annum.
The commercial response was the focus of the Invitation to negotiate where the University expected contractor's to present innovative pricing schedules.
It is the expectation of thfe University that Uni-Link will continue to operate as a commercial service that generates incomes from fares. Revenue generated from University Halls of Residence passes and University departmental voucher schemes shall be retained by the University and are excluded from the calculation of the contract income.
The contractor is solely responsible responsible for the collection of any grants or subsidies available for the services and for any necessary legal and financial arrangements related to such grants and subsidies. The University is not liable for the provision, alteration, or termination of grants or subsidies by any third party. The contractor shall maintain updated and accurate records of all revenue, income, grants, subsidies and expenditure under the contract.
I.1.6 — This contract was NOT suitable for splitting into lots. The risk of dividing the requirement into Lots would have rendered the execution of the contract excessively technically difficult, not cost effective and would undermine proper execution of the contract.
II.2.10 — Information about variants — Any acceptable variant was to be at the invitation to negotiate stage ONLY.


Winner: Go South Coast Ltd
Award value: 40000000
Number of bids: 2