Published date: 15 January 2026

Open future opportunity - This means that the buyer is not yet ready to invite bid applications but early notification has been provided and some dialogue may be possible.


Approach to market date: 2 February 2026

Contract summary

Industry

  • IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

Location of contract

East of England

Value of contract

£150,000

Procurement reference

D089PA

Published date

15 January 2026

Approach to market date

2 February 2026

Contract start date

16 March 2026

Contract end date

15 March 2028

Procedure type

Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system

A mini-competition or direct purchase from a pre-established dynamic purchasing system.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

For many people, buses represent the most affordable and accessible mode of transport. Those on low or fixed incomes depend on them to access health, education and employment. But for some, there are barriers which make it more difficult to use public transport. These barriers can be physical (for example infrastructure) and access to information (for example timetables or journey planning information). For some groups, such barriers can reduce their travel horizons and lead them to spend more on alternative modes such as a taxi.

One such group are the more than two million people living with sight loss in the UK. This number is estimated to double to 4 million people in the next 25 years by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB); with one person every six minutes starting to lose their sight.

In this context, and with disabled people reporting up to three times more difficulties when travelling than non-disabled people, the Council has a need to make travel in Essex simpler, more inclusive and accessible for all.

With the barriers for disabled people and those with sight loss clearly established in terms of travel, and the importance of digital technology in assisting to remove these barriers, the Council intends to source and implement a new digital tool across its bus infrastructure estate initially.

The product will enable visually impaired people to be completely independent in the use of public transport, by means of an accessible digital solution, which enables the user to orient themselves in an unfamiliar environment and obtain accessible, contextualised information. It is proposed this will be via their smartphone device.

ECC intend to utilise the Crown Commercial Services Spark Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) RM6094 framework with the intention of procuring through this in early February 2026.

To become a supplier on this commercial agreement please use the link below for more details.
https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register

More information

Spend profile

This table displays the spend profile of the notice
Financial year Budget
2025/2026 £50,000
2026/2027 £100,000

Attachments

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Contact name

Kate Fabricant

Address

County Hall
CHELMSFORD
CM1 1QH
England

Telephone

03330136394

Email

kate.fabricant@essex.gov.uk

Website

www.essex.gov.uk