Panel Arrangement for the Supply, Modification, Delivery and Service and Maintenance of New Buses

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The Department of Education (the Contract Authority) is seeking to establish a whole-of-Department Panel Arrangement for the supply, modification, delivery, servicing, and maintenance of new school buses to support student transportation across Western Australian (WA) public schools.

Purpose

Student transportation plays a vital role in enabling equitable access to education and supporting the delivery of curriculum and extracurricular activities. School buses are used to:

• Assist families of children with disabilities by providing accessible transport to and from school
• Facilitate student participation in off-site educational activities such as excursions, swimming and athletics carnivals, and other school events
• Enable students in regional areas to attend inter-regional events including country week, school camps, and other recreational and educational excursions

WA public schools have a requirement for buses to provide a mode of transport for students to support the delivery of education.

Scope

The proposed Panel Arrangement consists of four categories:

• Class A: Small bus, Omni Style or truck-based bus with 4 x 2, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive variants, 13 to 20 passenger seats
• Class B: Mid-size bus, Omni Style or truck-based bus with 4 x 2, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive variants, 21 to 30 passenger seats
• Class C: Medium bus, 31 to 40 passenger seats
• Class D: Large bus, 41 or more passenger seats

Respondents may submit offers for one or more of the above categories.

Contract Terms and Conditions

• The resultant Head Agreement will constitute a standing offer, whereby the Customer can place Orders on an 'as required' basis during the Term
• Use of the Panel Arrangement is mandatory for schools located within the Perth metropolitan area and non-mandatory for schools in regional areas

A map of Western Australia showing the Contract Authority's eight Education Regions with the approximate number of public schools is included in the Department of Education Annual Report 2023/24: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/annual-reports

Tender Briefing

A non-mandatory briefing to Respondents will be conducted via electronic means.

• Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM Western Australia
• Format: Online, via Microsoft Teams (link will be issued once attendance is confirmed)

Respondents wishing to attend are requested to confirm attendance as soon as possible, and no later than 4:00 PM, Western Australia, 15 October 2025, by contacting Marianna Rincon Araque via email at marianna.rinconaraque@dtf.wa.gov.au.