11. The Department for Transport issued invitations to tender for the franchise in July 2016, with bids due by September. 12. The circumstances surrounding the issue of the invitation to tender and the formal requirements imposed by it support the conclusion. 13. The fact that the invitation to tender was limited to a very small class of operators is itself of significance. 14. The Invitation to Tender was to have been issued in October 2012, and the successful bidder announced in Spring 2013. 15. The Invitation to Tender was to have been issued in October 2012, with the successful bidder announced in early 2013. 16. The Invitation to Tender was to have been issued in October 2012, with the successful bidder announced 4 6 months later. 17. An invitation to tender was issued and the existing operator became the preferred bidder after the closing date of 12 March 2013. 18. The portal covers all major phases of public procurement ranging from issuance of invitations to tenders to the announcement of contract awards. 19. In February 2015 the Department for Transport issued an Invitation to Tender for the new Northern franchise which will start in April 2016. 20. It is of course true that the invitation to tender does not explicitly state that the Council will consider timely and conforming tenders.
