Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2021-03-03
Buyer: Nordland fylkeskommune
Country: NO
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 60112000 | 63710000 | 73100000
Estimated value: 6000000 NOK

Technical requirements: The procurement concerns the implementation of a pilot for an autonomous bus on winter operation in Bodø.
The pilot is part of the innovation project] Smarter Transport Bodø’. The purpose of this project is to test and pilot future transport. The purpose of the pilot with autonomous buses is to research and further develop the technology for whole year operation of autonomous electric vehicles.
The purpose of the pilot project is to contribute to development of the technology for autonomous electric vehicles. In the pilot there will be particular focus on developing technology and producing new knowledge and research about autonomous vehicles in winter operation in an unstable coastal climate. Frequent changes in conditions, strong winds, varying snow and ice will be demanding for both technology, battery capacity and motor vehicle.
The County is currently responsible for the public transport services. Autonomous buses can supplement the existing transport system, thereby giving the county more flexibility in setting up the transport system. Autonomous buses can contribute to more frequent and more differentiated offers.
The aim of the project is to see the possibility autonomous vehicles can have in combination with traditional public transport. The original arrangement is autonomous vehicles en-route from the airport via Hernesveien, down to central Bodø. The pilot will begin in autumn 2021, with operation in the winter months 2021/2022. The duration is approx. eight months of actual operation, from Sept/Oct to April 2022.
Based on preliminary studies, it is planned to use two vehicles. If unforeseen situations arise, or if one of the vehicles needs mechanical maintenance, it must still be possible to maintain the service with one vehicle.
It will be important in the project to be able to maintain stable operation in Bodø throughout the winter months. It is also important to investigate how well the public trust the systems, particularly under demanding conditions.
The project ‘Autonomous buses in winter operation’ supports the objectives under Smarter Transport Bodø's goals:
— environment: electric vehicles minimise Co2 emission, and can contribute to more persons travelling together, and thereby reducing the total number of vehicles in traffic;
— seamless travel experience: smaller autonomous buses add new flexibility to the transport systems and can give better service offers to people and goods;
— accessibility and capacity: autonomous buses provide greater freedom of choice, and make it possible to increase the number of public transport trips;
— innovative mobility: autonomous vehicles have not been tested in winter operation in a coastal climate.
The purpose is to develop new knowledge, and to find new areas of use for new technology, with particular focus on level 4 of autonomy and winter operation in coastal climate.
The contract includes development of new products and services with the use of new technology. This includes the steering system for the vehicle with changes in passability based on ploughing and snow/ice.
It will also be crucial to test navigation technology (lidar, camera and radar) in changing weather conditions. Extensive testing has not previously been carried out in the same climatic condition shifts changes that exist in the winter in Bodø. It is particularly the changing weather, with lots of rain, sleet, snow and ice, that will contribute to new knowledge about the technology and contribute to developing the technology.


Winner: Boreal Buss AS
Award value: 6000000