Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for Greater Manchester, 2, Piccadilly Place,
Manchester
M1 3BG
Contact
Mr David Gregg
Telephone
+44 1612441000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD - North West (England)
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Transport Authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Transport
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Modifications to the existing Metrolink Tram Management System resulting from operationally critical changes
Reference number
DN664893
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45234115 - Railway signalling works
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
A key element of TfGM’s Metrolink System is a safety critical system, known as the Tram Management System (‘’TMS’’) which covers 147 trams, 102.67 km of track and 99 tram stops.
TfGM is developing a strategy for the re-procurement of a new or substantially new tram management system and associated on-going support (including renewal, replacement and modifications) of a new tram management system. It is anticipated that this will be the subject of a procurement under the proposed new contracting regulations expected to be introduced in early 2024.
TfGM will require the ongoing support in respect of a variety of operationally critical upgrades and/or modifications to TfGM’s current Tram Management System in order to meet the operational needs of TfGM’s Metrolink System prior to the date on which any new or substantially new tram management system is delivered.
Main CPV codes
45234115, 45316200, 34990000, 32425000, 32524000, 32573000
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: £16,250,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TfGM is currently developing a strategy for the procurement of a new or substantially new Tram Management System. The development of this strategy will require TfGM to undertake a technical audit of the current system and all its sub-systems to ascertain viability and end of life expectancy of various elements of the system. Once the technical landscape is understood, TfGM will develop the strategy for replacement and/or renewal of those systems whilst planning for expansion and/or modifications to the network, as anticipated over coming years in line with TfGM’s “Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040”. It is anticipated that the development of the strategy will take circa 18 months to complete before the commencement of a new procurement to secure a new contract to deliver the maintenance, renewal, replacement, extension, and modification of the successor TMS system which is anticipated to be awarded in 2026.
In addition, whilst the development and procurement activities are taking place and the successor contract is implemented, it is critical that TfGM ensures that the current Tram Management System continues to perform safely and reliably.
TfGM has identified that, prior to the appointment of the successor supplier, the current Tram Management System will need a package of safety related and other on-going support in order to ensure that the system remains stable and meets operational needs until the renewal of the system takes place under the Technology Partner contract. TfGM has explored various procurement options to procure this support. Following extensive technical, safety and legal reviews, it was determined that the only viable option available to TfGM is an award directly to the supplier of the current Tram Management System, Ground Transportation Systems UK Limited without a call for competition.
It is anticipated that the extended contract, through to the end of 2026, will include a number of changes to the Tram Management System including, but not limited to the following:
• Server refresh
• Additional route codes
• Real time data changes
• Any modifications required as a result of HS2 enabling works across the Tram Network.
Main CPV codes
45234115, 45316200, 34990000, 32425000, 32524000, 32573000
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
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
- Extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable for the contracting authority
- Additional deliveries by the original supplier
- New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services
Explanation:
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
• absence of competition for technical and warranty issues/reasons; and
• in the case of supply contracts for additional deliveries by the original supplier which are intended either as a partial replacement of supplies or installations or as the extension of existing supplies or installations, where a change of supplier would oblige the utility to acquire supplies having different technical characteristics which would result in incompatibility or disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
5 April 2023
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
Ground Transportation Systems UK Limited
350 Longwater Avenue, Green Park
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 6GF
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD - North West (England)
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: £16,250,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England and Wales
London
Country
United Kingdom