Award

Dartford & Hindhead HATMS Tunnel Systems (Swarco)

  • National Highways

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-006614

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04e61f

Published 21 February 2025, 11:27am



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

National Highways

Birmingham

Contact

Ruth Atherton

Email

Ruth.Atherton@nationalhighways.co.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://nationalhighways.co.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Transport


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Dartford & Hindhead HATMS Tunnel Systems (Swarco)

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

National Highways has an ongoing requirement for critical services related to the Dartford Crossing and Hindhead HATMS tunnel systems. This is to ensure the continuation of essential services amidst ongoing uncertainties and the development of a comprehensive exit strategy. All HATMS services must remain operational until replaced by CHARM and a new tunnels solution is procured. The focus is to maintain system availability and reliability, only implementing necessary hardware or software refreshes for maintainability.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £923,374.80

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The contract will provide the necessary time to resolve ongoing intellectual property (IPR) issues with one of the incumbent suppliers.

In addition, critical services such as HE Traffic Camera Website (HETC), System Protocol Interface for Windows CE (SPICE), and Automatic Camera Test Tool (ACT) will continue under these contracts until suitable replacements are in place.

If these critical national infrastructure services are not continued, major disruptions will occur in the Southeast and East regions, including Dartford and Hindhead tunnels. This will pose significant safety risks and reputational damage to National Highways. Failure to retain these services may result in the closure of critical national infrastructure assets due to an inability to operate them safely and effectively, potentially jeopardising National Highways’ licence to operate.

Description of services:

HATMS Subsystems and software support across all ROCs & Hindhead tunnel and support of meteorological systems (Metrological Sub System, Hindhead HATMS, EAST HATMS Sub Systems, South East HATMS and Sub Systems).

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Negotiated without a prior call for competition

  • No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to restricted procedure
  • The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
    • absence of competition for technical reasons

Explanation:

The contract will provide the necessary time to resolve ongoing intellectual property (IPR) issues with one of the incumbent suppliers. In addition, critical services such as HE Traffic Camera Website (HETC), System Protocol Interface for Windows CE (SPICE), and Automatic Camera Test Tool (ACT) will continue under these contracts until suitable replacements are in place.

HETC is especially important, as the ADTS project is still in its early stages, with no proof of concept or supplier tendered. HETC remains a crucial backup system during DYNAC incidents in CHARM regions. Similarly, SPICE and ACT are essential services that will be maintained until the exit strategy is fully developed and implemented.

If these critical national infrastructure services are not continued, major disruptions will occur in the Southeast and East regions, including Dartford and Hindhead tunnels. This will pose significant safety risks and reputational damage to National Highways. Failure to retain these services may result in the closure of critical national infrastructure assets due to an inability to operate them safely and effectively, potentially jeopardising National Highways’ licence to operate.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Title

Dartford & Hindhead HATMS Tunnel Systems

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

21 February 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

SWARCO UK & Ireland Ltd

Hazelwood House, Lime Tree Way, Chineham Business Park

Basingstoke

RG24 8WZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £923,374.80

five.2.5) Information about subcontracting

The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court

London

Country

United Kingdom