Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bc7-323b-7293-b6b9-858756d5c5a3/bus-reform-commercial-market-testing pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Bus Reform - Commercial Market Testing [North East Combined Authority](https://tendernation.io/buyers/north-east-combined-authority) Estimated value Not stated Published 6 Nov 2025 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender On 8 August 2024, the North East Combined Authority published notice of its intention to prepare an assessment of a proposed bus franchising scheme in accordance with section 123B and section 123C(4) of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017 (Transport Act 2000) The North East CA is developing the Franchising Scheme Assessment and is now seeking to engage with the bus market in order to inform the definition of the proposed franchising scheme. Bus Reform legislation and guidance requires the CA to state whether the commercial terms are likely to be attractive to operators - including a summary of the extent to which both incumbent and new operators are expected to bid. The North East CA has prepared market testing materials including a note covering the proposed franchising scheme, and a questionnaire to gather operator views on the proposed commercial model. There is also an opportunity to request a 1-2-1 session with the North East CA. The deadline to request 1-2-1 meetings and submit a questionnaire is the 14th November 2025. To receive the market testing materials or for any further information please contact . This market testing exercise does not form part of any pre-procurement. ## CPV classification Transport services (excl. Waste transport) Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1-2025-11-06T14:42:42Z [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1-2025-11-06T14:42:42Z) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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