✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 9 Oct 2026, 12:11.
Opportunity overview
Stoke-on-Trent City Council offers a swimming service to local schools. Part of the service is the provision of transport to and from the schools and their chosen swimming pool.
We are seeking a single coach operator to provide the complete transport solution. The schedule can be intense and, on occasions, a different vehicle from that used for the outward trip may be required for the return trip. Conversely, the same vehicle may be utilised to take different schools to differing pool facilities, hence the opportunity for efficiency is maximised with a single operator. This also allows us to be able to offer the schools a co-ordinated service.
Classification
CPV60170000 — Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver
Lots
Lot 1Value not stated
Documents and notices
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
Published notice details
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
The Council is particularly interested in understanding:
• Capacity to transport groups of 30 to 60 pupils.
• Availability of vehicles and drivers between 9:30am and 3:00pm Monday to Friday.
• The suitability of single-provider versus multi-provider delivery models.
• Approaches to managing multiple schools travelling to and from the three venues during peak periods.
• Any operational challenges associated with 30- and 60-minute lesson durations.
• Recommended contract lengths and pricing models.
• Opportunities to reduce emissions and improve service efficiency.
• Any risks, barriers, or innovations that should be considered during procurement.
For further information and service requirements please contact John Cliffe via email :
john.cliffe@stoke.gov.uk
Due
31 Dec 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled
Documents
Entry 1
Id
095523-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
1 VERSION
1
095523-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Early-stage market engagement for a single coach operator to transport local schools to and from their chosen swimming pools for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Who this may suit
Potential fit for coach operators able to coordinate school swimming transport across Stoke-on-Trent. This is not an open tender; supplier selection and submission requirements are unknown.
Key points identified
Operator modelSingle coach operatorEvidence: “We are seeking a single coach operator to provide the complete transport solution.”
Service requirementTransport local schools to and from their chosen swimming poolEvidence: “provision of transport to and from the schools and their chosen swimming pool.”
Scheduling flexibilityMust support intensive schedules and potentially different vehicles for outward and return tripsEvidence: “The schedule can be intense and, on occasions, a different vehicle from that used for the outward trip may be required for the return trip.”
96% approved-analysis confidence5 supplier criteria identified2 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Early-stage market engagement for a single coach operator to transport local schools to and from their chosen swimming pools for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Who this may suit
Potential fit for coach operators able to coordinate school swimming transport across Stoke-on-Trent. This is not an open tender; supplier selection and submission requirements are unknown.
Key deliverables
Provide a complete school-to-swimming-pool transport solution.
Coordinate transport for multiple schools and pool facilities.
Accommodate intensive schedules, including occasions where different outward and return vehicles are needed.
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
5 criteria identified
Operator model
99% confidence
Single coach operator
View supporting evidence
“We are seeking a single coach operator to provide the complete transport solution.”
Service requirement
99% confidence
Transport local schools to and from their chosen swimming pool
View supporting evidence
“provision of transport to and from the schools and their chosen swimming pool.”
Scheduling flexibility
98% confidence
Must support intensive schedules and potentially different vehicles for outward and return trips
View supporting evidence
“The schedule can be intense and, on occasions, a different vehicle from that used for the outward trip may be required for the return trip.”
Multi-school coordination
98% confidence
May use the same vehicle for different schools travelling to different pool facilities
View supporting evidence
“the same vehicle may be utilised to take different schools to differing pool facilities”
Supplier eligibility requirements
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No eligibility, financial standing, insurance, safeguarding, licence or accreditation requirements are stated in the supplied notice.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated total value
92% confidence
Up to £450,000
View supporting evidence
Opportunity value_max is GBP 450000.
Contract term
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No contract start or end date is supplied.
Pricing and payment terms
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No commercial terms are stated in the supplied notice.
Delivery
Delivery area
88% confidence
Stoke-on-Trent (UKG23)
View supporting evidence
The supplied delivery location is region UKG23; buyer location is Stoke-on-Trent.
Service delivery
99% confidence
Transport between local schools and chosen swimming pools
View supporting evidence
The description states transport is required to and from schools and their chosen swimming pool.
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Opportunity status
99% confidence
Upcoming — early-stage market engagement, not an open tender
View supporting evidence
Display status is “upcoming”; stage and source status are “planning”; notice type is “Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender”.
Procurement route
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
Procurement method and procurement method details are null.
Submission deadline
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No submission deadline is supplied.
Notice publication date
99% confidence
9 October 2026
View supporting evidence
Published_at is 2026-10-09T10:43:19+01:00.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Early-stage procurement uncertainty
99% confidence
Final scope, procurement route, timetable, selection criteria, contract terms and submission process are not stated.
View supporting evidence
This is a planning-stage preliminary market engagement notice; procurement method, deadlines and contract dates are null.
Operational complexity
98% confidence
The operator may need to manage intensive schedules, vehicle changes between outward and return journeys, and allocation across multiple schools and pool locations.
View supporting evidence
The description expressly identifies these operating scenarios.
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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