Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
London Bus Services Limited (LBSL)
5 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
Contact
Robert Hughes
Countdown3Commercial@tfl.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
ICT13550: Procurement of Countdown 3 (CD3) Sign, Supply, Install and Maintenance
Reference number
DN601998
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48813200 - Real-time passenger information system
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
London Bus Services Limited (LBSL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL) responsible for “maintaining and enhancing a reliable, accessible and high-quality bus network across London.” As part of this objective, it is imperative that TfL provide Customers with timely and accurate real time passenger information (RTI) on the bus network. TfL does this by generating real time arrival predictions for all stops and disseminating this to Customers under the current Countdown 2 (CD2) system.
The CD2 system consists of the CD2 Back Office and around 2,700 CD2 Signs which are LED (Light Emitting Diode) on-street display screens mounted in bus shelters. The CD2 Signs receive predicted live bus arrival times real time information (RTI) from the CD2 Back Office to display four lines of live bus arrival predictions and can scroll service information messages on the lowest line, as well as full matrix messages if required.
There are also a small number of alternative digital technology screens deployed across the bus network, including e-paper screens in stop frames, battery powered Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) signs embedded in the stop flag and large departure style screens in totems at bus stations.
Currently CD2 is separated into three contracts, with two suppliers supplying, installing and maintaining the sign assets and a sole supplier providing the back-office system. TfL CD2 signs contracts are due to expire in March 2023 and the back- office contract is due to expire in August 2023. LBSL has therefore mobilised a Countdown 3 (CD3) project team for the re-procurement of the supplying, installing and maintaining the sign assets services and are aiming to release the Contract Notice advertising this tender opportunity on 28 April 2022. The back- office system is not intended to form part of this tender opportunity.
The estimated total value of this procurement opportunity is £18,000,000 to £24,000,000.
Before the release of the Contract Notice, TfL are preparing to engage with potential Bidders that may wish to engage with the Authority on understanding more about the CD3 project and answering any questions that suppliers might pose.
TfL proposes to hold an ½ day Launch Event held online via Microsoft Team, in early to mid April with the aim of generating market interest in the opportunity and encouraging suppliers with the capability, appetite and capacity to bid.
Interested parties are asked to contact the project team via Countdown3Commercial@tfl.gov.uk by Thursday 31 March 2022 - 15:00 for further details on the requirements and event.
Any Procurement Launch Event material and Questions and Answers from the event will be published as part of the forthcoming procurement and therefore made available to any organisations that are unable to attend.
It is currently envisaged that TfL and its subsidiaries may also use these contracts and this will be confirmed in the forthcoming procurement.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £24,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
It is presently envisaged that TfL will award the contracts in respect of Lot 1 and Lot 2 to the two suppliers with the lowest price per quality point score. However, TfL will enable suppliers to submit a single bid for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 as well as a combined bid for both Lot 1 and Lot 2.
It is presently envisaged that TfL would award two contracts, one to each of the successful suppliers in respect of Lot 1 and Lot 2, although TfL intend to reserve the right to enter into one contract with one supplier in respect of Lot 1 and Lot 2 if same supplier is successful in winning Lot 1 and Lot 2 on an individual Lot basis or is successful in winning the combined Lot.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 1: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 30231000 - Computer screens and consoles
- 31523200 - Permanent message signs
- 31682230 - Graphic display panels
- 34924000 - Variable message signs
- 39133000 - Display units
- 39171000 - Display cases
- 48813000 - Passenger information system
- 50312600 - Maintenance and repair of information technology equipment
- 51211000 - Installation services of time-measuring equipment
- 72319000 - Data supply services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Countdown 3 (CD3) Procurement will be separated as follows:
Lot 1: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
Lot 2: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
TfL envisage that Lot 1 and Lot 2 will account for approximately fifty percent (50%) of the total volume of Signs on which TfL requires the Passenger Information Sign Services to be installed and maintained (which TfL considers will equate to approximately 1350 Signs for each of Lot 1 and Lot 2).
The estimated value of Lot 1 is £9,000,000 to £12,000,000.
TfL currently envisage the scope of the CD3 procurement includes:
Core requirement/ Business as Usual (BAU)
A technical refresh (conversion) of all existing Countdown 2 (CD2) Signs to take data directly from the Real Time Information (RTI) Application Programming Interface (API) and the iBus2 Back Office Service RTI API when it is available. Note this is not a wholesale replacement of all 2700 CD2 Signs, although it is assumed 10% (270 CD2 Signs) will need to be replaced in their entirety.
Replacement of existing SIMS in the CD2 Signs with SIMS to facilitate the transition to the new Corporate Mobile Communications contract which is currently being procured.
Support and maintenance of all existing CD2 Signs.
Support and maintenance of other existing real time passenger information (RTI) signs across the TfL estate (such as Network Management variable message signs, some London Underground signs and Wonderwalls digital displays); and
Supply, installation, support, and maintenance of future signs including new sign types to support the Mayoral Transport Strategy.
Optional Future requirements
Supply, installation, and maintenance of new displays, and other displays included in the scope (such as Network Management, LU (London Underground) and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) displays).
The CD2 Back Office will be provided as part of the iBus2 Back Office currently being procured under the iBus2 Procurement (ICT13013), so is not within scope of CD3.
Following the technical refresh, the CD2 signs will receive arrival predictions from the RTI API until the iBus2 Back Office delivers its RTI API at which point the CD2 Back Office will be decommissioned.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £12,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
It is currently envisaged that the proposed contract length is an initial term of six (6) years from operational commencement date with options for TfL to extend the contract for up to a further four (4) years following the initial term.
The extension options can be any multiples from 12 months to 48 months and will only be exercised at TfL sole discretion.
two.2.14) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is issued solely for the purpose of the CD3 Procurement Launch Event to notify the marketplace of this opportunity.
TfL is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party participating in this CD3 Procurement Launch Event. TfL cannot guarantee it will incorporate all or any feedback received into any subsequent procurement.
Suppliers should note that the current procurement approach is currently in draft form and might be subject to change. The estimated values and timescales for the forthcoming procurement, provided in this PIN, are indicative.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 2: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 30231000 - Computer screens and consoles
- 31523200 - Permanent message signs
- 31682230 - Graphic display panels
- 34924000 - Variable message signs
- 39133000 - Display units
- 39171000 - Display cases
- 48813000 - Passenger information system
- 50312600 - Maintenance and repair of information technology equipment
- 51211000 - Installation services of time-measuring equipment
- 72319000 - Data supply services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Countdown 3 (CD3) Procurement will be separated as follows:
Lot 1: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
Lot 2: Sign Supply, Installation and Maintenance
TfL envisage that Lot 1 and Lot 2 will account for approximately fifty percent (50%) of the total volume of Signs on which TfL requires the Passenger Information Sign Services to be installed and maintained (which TfL considers will equate to approximately 1350 Signs for each of Lot 1 and Lot 2).
The estimate value of Lot 2 is £9,000,000 to £12,000,000.
TfL currently envisage the scope of the CD3 procurement includes:
Core requirement/ Business as Usual (BAU)
A technical refresh (conversion) of all existing Countdown 2 (CD2) Signs to take data directly from the Real Time Information (RTI) Application Programming Interface (API) and the iBus2 Back Office Service RTI API when it is available. Note this is not a wholesale replacement of all 2700 CD2 Signs, although it is assumed 10% (270 CD2 Signs) will need to be replaced in their entirety.
Replacement of existing SIMS in the CD2 Signs with SIMS to facilitate the transition to the new Corporate Mobile Communications contract which is currently being procured.
Support and maintenance of all existing CD2 Signs.
Support and maintenance of other existing real time passenger information (RTI) signs across the TfL estate (such as Network Management variable message signs, some London Underground signs and Wonderwalls digital displays); and
Supply, installation, support, and maintenance of future signs including new sign types to support the Mayoral Transport Strategy.
Optional Future requirements
Supply, installation, and maintenance of new displays, and other displays included in the scope (such as Network Management, LU (London Underground) and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) displays).
The CD2 Back Office will be provided as part of the iBus2 Back Office currently being procured under the iBus2 Procurement (ICT13013), so is not within scope of CD3.
Following the technical refresh, the CD2 signs will receive arrival predictions from the RTI API until the iBus2 Back Office delivers its RTI API at which point the CD2 Back Office will be decommissioned.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £12,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
It is currently envisaged that the proposed contract length is an initial term of six (6) years from operational commencement date with options for TfL to extend the contract for up to a further four (4) years following the initial term.
The extension options can be any multiples from 12 months to 48 months and will only be exercised at TfL sole discretion.
two.2.14) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is issued solely for the purpose of the CD3 Procurement Launch Event to notify the marketplace of this opportunity.
TfL is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party participating in this CD3 Procurement Launch Event. TfL cannot guarantee it will incorporate all or any feedback received into any subsequent procurement.
Suppliers should note that the current procurement approach is currently in draft form and might be subject to change. The estimated values and timescales for the forthcoming procurement, provided in this PIN, are indicative.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
28 April 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes