Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 23 Dec 2025, 16:39 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Brand Identity Development for the New Passenger Watchdog

Official notice

Authority: Transport Focus (Central government)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdReserved: K02000001SME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£15,000£18,000 inc. VAT12.1% below published estimate
Submissions closed 16 Jan 2026awarded 18 Feb 2026
Awarded to SOMETHING INC LIMITED
Contract term 2 moends 31 Mar 2026 · up to 31 Aug 2026 with extensions · starts 1 Feb 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Transport Focus is the independent passenger watchdog representing the interests of transport users. As part of our evolution, we are developing a new passenger watchdog that will continue to champion the needs of passengers across the transport network.

To support this transition, we require a branding agency to help us explore and define what the new passenger watchdog should look and feel like. This work will inform recommendations to government, who will make the final decision on the future passenger watchdog's identity.

The successful agency will work closely with Transport Focus to develop a suite of brand identity options that reflect our core values and resonate with our key audiences, whilst ensuring value for money in the use of public funds.

CPV: Marketing services · Miscellaneous business-related services · Specialty design services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1AwardedRenewal 2 moSMEVCSEPublished value£15,000
Contract period: 1 Feb 2026 – 31 Mar 2026 (2 mo) · up to 31 Aug 2026 with extensionsValue: £15,000 exc. VAT · £18,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Extensions may be used based on agreed timeline for work following appointment.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Condition of participation

    Supplier Requirements

    Suppliers must demonstrate:

    • Relevant experience - proven track record in brand identity development for public sector organisations, watchdogs, regulators, or similar bodies
    • Creative capability - portfolio showing high-quality brand identity work with clear strategic rationale
    • Research skills - ability to gather and analyse audience insights efficiently
    • Understanding of the public sector context - familiarity with public sector values, constraints, and the need for value for money
    • Resource and capacity - ability to deliver all requirements within the specified timescale and budget
    • Team credentials - details of the team members who would work on this project and their relevant expertise

    Suppliers should also provide:

    • Company details and relevant certifications
    • Case studies of similar projects (minimum of 2)
    • CVs of key team members
    • Detailed methodology and approach
    • Project timeline
    • Itemised cost breakdown
    • References from at least 2 recent clients

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lot awarding rule: Evaluation Criteria Tenders will be evaluated using the following weighted criteria: Quality and relevance of approach - methodology, creative process, and how the supplier will meet our objectives 30% Relevant experience and capability - track record of similar work, quality of case studies, team expertise 25% Value for money - cost breakdown, deliverables offered, and efficient use of budget 25% Understanding of audience and context - demonstrated understanding of our audiences, values, and public sector requirements 15% Delivery timescales and project management - realistic timeline, clear milestones, and ability to meet deadlines 5% Suppliers must score a minimum of 60% overall to be considered for award. Transport Focus reserves the right to request presentations or interviews from shortlisted suppliers before making a final decision.

Conditions of participation1
  • Condition of participation

    Supplier Requirements

    Suppliers must demonstrate:

    • Relevant experience - proven track record in brand identity development for public sector organisations, watchdogs, regulators, or similar bodies
    • Creative capability - portfolio showing high-quality brand identity work with clear strategic rationale
    • Research skills - ability to gather and analyse audience insights efficiently
    • Understanding of the public sector context - familiarity with public sector values, constraints, and the need for value for money
    • Resource and capacity - ability to deliver all requirements within the specified timescale and budget
    • Team credentials - details of the team members who would work on this project and their relevant expertise

    Suppliers should also provide:

    • Company details and relevant certifications
    • Case studies of similar projects (minimum of 2)
    • CVs of key team members
    • Detailed methodology and approach
    • Project timeline
    • Itemised cost breakdown
    • References from at least 2 recent clients

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
23 Dec 2025, 16:39 GMT
Last source update
24 Feb 2026, 14:15 GMT
Authority reference
PWDEC25
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-085981
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Marketing servicesMiscellaneous business-related servicesSpecialty design services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fcea Find a Tender
Contract terms
Reserved participation area
K02000001

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
16 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
9 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
Electronic submission
Not allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Tender Responses should be submitted by email to procurementadmin@transportfocus.org.uk by 5pm on 16 January 2026.

For questions or clarifications, please email procurementadmin@transportfocus.org.uk

Timeline

23 Dec 2025 → 24 Feb 2026 · 5 dates
  1. Tender notice published308 days ago
    23 Dec 2025, 16:39 GMT
  2. Clarification questions by291 days ago
    9 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
  3. Submission deadline284 days ago
    16 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
  4. Contract starts269 days ago
    1 Feb 2026
  5. Latest notice published245 days ago
    24 Feb 2026, 14:15 GMT

Notice history

4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 Dec 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    23 Dec 2025, 16:39 GMT
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    24 Dec 2025, 11:48 GMT
    UK4
  3. Contract details notice published
    24 Feb 2026, 14:15 GMT
    UK7
  4. Status changed to complete
    24 Feb 2026, 14:15 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £13,1911 contract exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 18 Feb 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
SOMETHING INC LIMITED£13,191 †—Awarded

Contracts

  • Contract 1 · SOMETHING INC LIMITED

    Signed
    18 Feb 2026
    Value
    £13,191
    Period
    18 Feb 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
    Status
    active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Transport Focus

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PGBR-3271-MNXJ 10th floor, 25 Cabot Square, London, London, E14 4QZContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • SOMETHING INC LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 09643234GB-PPON: PMQW-9665-MTVW 36 Lower Cookham Road, Maidenhead, South East, SL6 8JUContact email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specificationsDOCXTransport Focus is the independent passenger watchdog representing the interests of transport users. As part of our evolution, we are developing a new passenger watchdog that will continue to champion the needs of passengers across the transport network. To support this transitio…

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender