Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2016-06-28
Buyer: Transport for London (Information and Communications Technology)
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 72000000

Technical requirements: TfL is responsible for ‘Maintaining and enhancing a reliable, accessible and high-quality bus network across London’. TfL is also responsible for planning and specifying the bus network, the operation of which is contracted to private Bus Operating Companies (BOC) through a competitive tendering process. The BOCs run services to TfL standards, employing drivers, controllers, engineers and other operating staff, and own assets including buses and garages. TfL monitors the performance and quality of the operation of the network, and is responsible for consultation/external engagement, ticketing/revenue, automatic vehicle location, stops, stands, bus stations and bus priority.
A number of systems are provided by TfL to run the TfL managed and London Services Permit (LSP) bus services, London River Services (LRS) among others. Among these systems, of particular importance is the set of systems providing a business capability to ‘define and manage routes, services and schedules data with a view to make such data available to other relevant systems and stakeholders in a timely manner’. These systems also provide functionality to print time-tables for display at bus stops.
In this context, it is worth pointing out that while the routes and service definitions (including frequencies and vehicle type) are defined by TfL, the schedules are prepared by the BOC (using their own systems) and uploaded to TfL.
The current set of TfL systems providing the above described capability are at ‘end of life’. In addition, these systems are not able to meet future demands. TfL is seeking a solution that will meet future requirements while addressing the shortcomings of the current systems.
Notably, functionality to exchange specified documentation with the BOC electronically, (via a web portal), has been included within the scope of this solution.
The intention of this PIN is to prepare the market ahead of TfL issuing an official notice. This will enable suppliers to ensure the required resources are available to meet the procurement schedules.
Companies wishing to express an interest in this procurement are requested to contact FutureBusSystems@tfl.gov.uk by 29.7.2016.
It is currently anticipated than an official OJEU notice will be published during September or October of 2016 for the procurement of a ‘Routes, Schedules and Timetables System’.
TfL is committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and to follow EU procurement regulations.
This PIN is issued solely for the purpose of preparing the market and does not constitute any commitment by TfL or any of its stakeholders to undertake any public procurement exercise in the future.
This PIN does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works for TfL and TfL is not bound to accept any proposals offered. TfL is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to this PIN. Any procurement of any services, supplies or works by TfL in due course will be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
TfL is a complex organisation operating both as a functional body of the Greater London Authority (GLA) under the direction of the Mayor of London and as a provider of transport services, including providing services for Surface transport.
Further information on TfL may be found at www.tfl.gov.uk If and when this requirement is offered to tender, this may at the awarding authority's discretion, be by electronic e-tendering or e-auction or e-award system.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to award the contract in whole or in part or not at all as a result of any subsequent call for competition.