Specialist Vehicles (Outright Purchase) (2024)
Framework Description
ESPO's Specialist Vehicles (Outright Purchase) (2024) framework (reference 215_24) is a national route for buying specialist vehicles outright, including refuse vehicles, sweepers, gritters, buses, minibuses and blue light appliances. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 governed its procurement, and it is a 21-lot framework agreement, not a DPS. It runs from 3 December 2024 to 30 November 2028, with no extension option.
Context & Use Case
Local authorities, fire and rescue services and other public bodies use 215_24 when they want to own their fleet, for example buying food waste RCVs for a new collection service, electric sweepers or buses, or fire appliances. Contracts can be placed by direct award or further competition, so a buyer can order a standard vehicle quickly or compete a large or customised order.
Scope of Services
Lots 1.1–1.3: RCVs (under 18t, 18t and above, food waste collection) Lots 2.1–2.4 and 3: Compact sweepers by weight, electric, and chassis-mounted sweepers Lots 4–5: Winter maintenance vehicles (including demountables); gully emptiers Lots 6–7 and 8.1–8.2: Minibuses, including converted; buses and coaches, including electric Lots 9–10: Customised vehicles (such as mobile libraries); chassis/cabs Lot 11: Tippers Lot 12: Blue light appliances (pumping, aerial and special) Lots 13–15: Hot boxes; skip loaders; hook loaders
Lots
Lot 1.1 RCV’s under 18t; Lot 1.2 RCV’s 18t and above; Lot 1.3 RCV’s Specifically for Food Waste Collection; Lot 2.1 Compact Sweepers (2.0t - 3.5t); Lot 2.2 Compact Sweepers (3.6t – 5.0t); Lot 2.3 Compact Sweepers (5.1t and above); Lot 2.4 Compact Sweepers (Electric); Lot 3 Chassis Mounted Sweepers; Lot 4 Winter Maintenance Vehicles (including demountables); Lot 5 Gully Emptiers; Lot 6 Minibuses (including Converted Minibuses); Lot 7 Minibuses under 3.5t (including Converted Minibuses); Lot 8.1 Buses and Coaches; Lot 8.2 Buses and Coaches (Electric); Lot 9 Customised Vehicles (eg. Mobile Libraries); Lot 10 Chassis/Cabs; Lot 11 Tippers; Lot 12 Blue Light (Pumping, Aerial & Special Appliances); Lot 13 Hot Boxes; Lot 14 Skip Loaders; Lot 15 Hook Loaders
Who Can Apply
Suits specialist vehicle manufacturers, converters and dealers. 215_24 is closed to new applications, and as it ends on 30 November 2028 with no extension, the re-tender is the next opportunity.
Buyer Benefits
Detailed lots, such as RCVs specifically for food waste or electric compact sweepers, let buyers go straight to suppliers of the exact vehicle type. Direct award speeds up replacement of a failed or ageing vehicle, while further competition suits large or customised orders where specification and delivery lead times need testing.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should keep specifications, build slots and lead times current for direct awards and prepare for competitions as councils roll out food waste collections and electrify fleets. Others should check the 215_24 page on espo.org and build evidence of public sector vehicle deliveries and after-sales support before the re-tender expected around November 2028.
How Athena Can Help
Vehicle competitions under 215_24 often come down to specification, lead time and whole-life cost. Athena's bid writing and pricing team can sharpen your technical responses and model price against rival manufacturers.
For suppliers outside the framework, our framework positioning support prepares you for the 2028 re-tender with lot selection and evidence, and our public procurement bid support can help you win fleet tenders that councils and fire services run directly, with bid/no-bid advice on each one.
