Dorset Learning Centre Transport

Dorset Council has gone out to tender to procure a transport service for the following Learning Centres

• Dorchester Learning Centre, based in Dorchester
• The Forum Centre, based in Blandford
• The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision), based in Lytchett Minster
• Harbour Vale Learning Centre, based in Sherborne

The core requirement is for the provision of home to school transport at standard bell times. In addition, there will be a requirement to provide transport outside of normal school hours to off-site provisions such sports events and work experience, as well as offering flexible responses to changes including cancellations and additional journeys.

Pupils attending Learning Centres may be located all over the county, as the centre they attend is largely determined by availability of places at the time. We are seeking experienced operators to organise, plan and operate transport as per the requirements of the individual Learning Centre.

The procurement was divided into four Lots, with each Lot corresponding to one Learning Centre:

• Lot 1: Dorchester Learning Centre
• Lot 2: The Forum Centre
• Lot 3: The Orchard (Forum Centre satellite provision)
• Lot 4: Harbour Vale Learning Centre

Tenderers could tender for one, multiple or all Lots. Each Lot was evaluated separately.

This further competition procurement process was run through the Passenger Transport DPS.