DMCT 386 - Passenger Transport DPS
Framework Description
DMCT 386 is Shropshire Council's Dynamic Purchasing System for passenger transport, advertised under Find a Tender notice 008383-2024. It gives the Council a standing pool of admitted operators from which to buy school, local bus, adult services and community transport. The DPS runs until 30 August 2029, and operators can apply to join at any point while it is open.
Context & Use Case
Shropshire Council buys transport for several groups: pupils travelling to and from school, residents using local bus services, adults attending care homes and community centres, and community and voluntary groups. Its partners can also draw on the system. As with any DPS, individual contracts are awarded through competitions among admitted operators, so suppliers bid for routes or packages as they are issued.
Scope of Services
School transport Local bus services Adult services transport Community and voluntary group transport Other passenger transport required by the Council and its partners
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Transport operators of all sizes, from new entrants to established fleets, that can run school, local bus, adult services or community transport in Shropshire. Because it is a DPS, operators can apply to join now and at any time until 30 August 2029, provided they meet the Council's admission criteria.
Buyer Benefits
A DPS lets the Council re-let routes quickly when pupil numbers, timetables or service users' needs change, without running a full procurement each time. As operators can be added throughout its life, the pool stays large enough to keep prices competitive and to cover hard-to-fill routes.
Next Steps
Open notice 008383-2024 on Find a Tender and follow it to Shropshire Council's application documents for DMCT 386. Prepare operator licences, insurances, safeguarding and DBS arrangements and vehicle details, then submit your request to join. Once admitted, watch for each competition issued under the DPS and bid for the routes that fit your fleet and depot locations.
How Athena Can Help
Getting admitted to DMCT 386 is the first hurdle; winning routes against other operators is the second. Athena's DPS application support covers the selection and compliance questions, safeguarding policies and a final compliance check, so your request to join is accepted first time.
Once you are on, we help you compete for individual routes. Our tender pricing advice sets rates that win and still cover driver and fuel costs, and our bid management service can write the quality responses for larger school or adult transport packages.
