Could you supply details of the tender application and all the bids received for both Option A and Option B for the 346 bus service between Tiverton and South Molton, the tender/submission date was 31/08/22 including all bid costings , full details of Option A and Option B tenders and contents of the bidder applications, as well as which body made the decision and members of that body.
The documents for the tender that was published in August 2022 for the 346 bus service can be found at the following links:
Information greyed out is exempt from disclosure under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Personal Data).
The Council cannot disclose personal information if releasing it would contravene any of the provisions in the UK General Data Protection Regulation. In this instance release of this information would contravene the first data protection principle and therefore the information is withheld.
Information on tender submissions is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests)
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, it’s disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Council. If the tender bid information is released, it undermines the all the benefits of a sealed bid process and therefore hinders Devon County Council (DCC) from achieving best value in the future.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in ensuring DCC achieves best value for money in the future with our ability to negotiate or compete in a commercial environment.
Therefore, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.
Please also supply the amount that Devon County Council have subsidised the service in tax years 2022, 2023 and other organisations and amounts that have contributed, including Exeter College.
The subsidy from DCC for this contract in 2022/23 (31/10/2022 onwards) was £71,298 and 2023/24 was £188,936. Exeter College and DCC jointly fund the 06.45 journey from South Molton which was an addition to the Option B tender.
Prior to 31/10/2022, the subsidy for the 346 service was incorporated in a wider contract containing a package of services in North Devon. Within that package, there was not a breakdown to show the cost allocation for each service, therefore it is not possible to show the full year subsidy for 2022/23 on the 346 service.
Information on amounts that Exeter College have contributed is exempt from disclosure under Section 41(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Information Provided in Confidence).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, it has been provided by Exeter College and its disclosure would constitute a breach of confidence. That breach could bring about a court action against the Council, which would be likely to succeed. Therefore, the information is withheld.