Doncaster Council - Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of Transport for Education and Social Services Related Contracts

This tender establishes a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for passenger transport services, offering flexibility and market access. However, the provided information lacks critical detail regarding selection criteria, evaluation methods, and comprehensive tender documentation, which significantly hinders a full quality assessment.

The use of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is a legally sound procurement tool designed to be flexible and open. However, the tender's classification as a 'Restricted procedure' appears inconsistent with the description of a DPS being 'open to any operator to join at any time'. Furthermore, the absence of specific mandatory exclusion grounds in the provided extract is a notable omission, as these are fundamental legal requirements.

The overall description of the services required (Home to School and Adults transport) is clear. The concept of a DPS is also adequately explained. However, the clarity of the procurement process for potential bidders is severely hampered by the absence of detailed selection criteria, financial requirements, and, crucially, any actual tender documents.

This is the most significant area of concern. The provided information is highly incomplete, stating 'DOCUMENTS (0 total)' and 'No document content available'. This means essential details such as full selection criteria, detailed technical specifications, financial requirements, and evaluation criteria are missing. The automated check also flags 'Missing evaluation criteria' and 'No documents attached'.

The nature of a DPS, being open for operators to join at any time, inherently promotes fairness and broad market access. However, the absence of detailed and transparent selection and evaluation criteria makes it impossible to fully assess the fairness of the process. Without clear rules, there is a potential for arbitrary decisions during the selection phase or subsequent call-offs.

The establishment of a web-based DPS is a practical approach for managing a dynamic pool of transport providers. The long contract duration (48 months) offers stability. However, the lack of detailed requirements and documentation could lead to practical challenges for both the contracting authority and potential suppliers in understanding expectations and preparing compliant applications.

A notable inconsistency exists between the 'Restricted procedure' classification and the description of the DPS as 'open to any operator to join at any time'. While a DPS can involve stages, this specific wording creates ambiguity. Otherwise, the high-level requirements align with the service description.

The provided information does not include any specific requirements or considerations related to environmental, social, or innovation aspects. The automated check correctly identifies 'Not green procurement, No social criteria, No innovation focus'. This represents a missed opportunity to leverage public procurement for broader policy objectives.