Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2023-11-03
Buyer: Transport Malta
Country: MT
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated without a prior call for competition
CPV classification: 72261000: Software support services
Estimated value: 2877750 EUR

Technical requirements: NP004/2023 - NEGOTIATED PROCEDURE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT OF THE VERA AND DLS SYSTEMS TO TRANSPORT MALTA
NEGOTIATED PROCEDURE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT OF THE VERA AND DLS SYSTEMS TO TRANSPORT MALTA
DLS and especially VERA are very complex solutions which cater for complex business processes and services. Both systems are considered critical revenue generating systems producing substantial revenues to the Central Government (over €120 million VERA alone).
The DLS (Driving Licence System) is an information system related to driver licences - from the issue of Learner Permit to penalty points, international permits, harmonised codes, and category renewals. DLS currently handles records for around 300,000 currently licensed individuals along with a substantial number of historical records. DLS processes more than 80,000 transactions on a yearly basis, such as licence issues, category changes, application of harmonised codes, and licence exchanges.
DLS System has also online presence to cater for services, such as Online Driving Licence renewal, Learner Permit application and Penalty Points, through the “Licenzji Xufiera” portal.
VERA currently handles records for over 800,000 vehicles which is envisaged to grow by around 25,000 vehicles per year. Moreover, the current system handles more than 100,000 transactions on a yearly basis ranging from 60,000 change of ownerships, 20 garage, de-garaging and scrapping and 25,000 new registrations. Current VERA system is integrated with other local parties, such as Police, LESA, insurance agencies, CVA, VRT Stations and special security agencies. There are also integrations with systems at European level (Eucaris) to fulfil the necessary security obligations.
This maintenance agreement is the most advantageous and economically feasible solution, since the supplier possesses vast business and technical knowledge on both systems.  Other suppliers cannot maintain this system, due to the high and lengthy learning curve required to understand and support the solution, and the special, old programming language that both systems are based upon.
During these last months, a separate process has been triggered for the modernisation of VERA and DLS following a market research conducted by our CIO and deputy CO-LTD across different EU countries. A consultant was also engaged to guide us on the best way forward to tackle the procurement process. Meetings were also held with the DOC for their guidance on the matter.
The uptime of these systems is of extreme importance to the Central Government, and the Authority cannot risk downtime and interruptions. These risks could lead to infringement actions being instituted by the EU.
Attached with this letter, please find a presentation of the VERA system and a detailed budget breakdowns that has been prepared by the supplier.


Winner: 2I Ltd
Award value: 2877750