Scope
Reference
TBC
Description
The DfT requires an analytical platform that is robust, scalable, distributed, combining methods across analytical disciplines to produce analysis for national transport policies. This requires an end-to-end solution from transport modelling through appraisal analysis to visualisation of results. The scale and expectations of the use of analysis in policy making has increased significantly and we are looking for a system to help us meet that analytical need. While remaining with the same staffing levels.
Current situation
The national transport model has around 7,100 zones, 136,000 links, 46,000 nodes, 5 assigned user classes, 3 time periods, route choice for the assigned demand segments (apart from buses that are a pre-load). In the demand model there are 8 Journey Purposes, mode choice for 6 modes, and destination choice.
Typically to use the national transport model takes around 5 working days. 1 day to setup and quality assure the inputs and assumptions, half a day to setup and run the LGV model and the freight model, 11-12 hours to run a forecast year through both VDM and highway assignment, anything from half a day to 2 days to check the model results, and then a similar amount of time to generate presentation quality visualisations. All these stages have significant amounts of manual quality assurance, and manual data handling, with the exception of validating the approach and the setup data, all the internal manual handling and QA are in scope for being removed with as many modules running in parallel as possible.
Total value (estimated)
- £400,000 excluding VAT
- £480,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 July 2025 to 1 July 2026
- Possible extension to 1 December 2026
- 1 year, 5 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72212460 - Analytical, scientific, mathematical or forecasting software development services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
1 April 2025
Engagement process description
Stage 1 - Capability Assessment following the shortlisting of suppliers by TASM to identify suppliers that can meet their requirements. Suppliers must be able to answer yes to all the capability assessment questions to become shortlisted for stage 2. A collaborative approach should be demonstrated which allows for requirements to be altered based on needs and risks which we expect to evolve through the discovery, proof of concept and pilot stages. This allows for joint problem solving with prospective suppliers encouraging the latest industry best practices including use of technology.
Stage 2 - Suppliers who meet all the criteria will be invited to a supplier day to present their capability.
Stage 3 -If you meet the customer's criteria for being invited, your presentation will be evaluated against the published capability assessment criteria and the successful bidder(s) will be notified. If the Department is satisfied your tool meets our requirements you will be invited to tender for the opportunity.
Scalable national transport analysis platform
Procurement Timetable
The timetable below is indicative and may change if necessary. Suppliers will be informed of any changes promptly.
Publish Capability Assessment (CA) 21 March 2025
CA Clarification period open 21 March 2025
CA Clarification period closes 28 March 2025 @ 13:00
CA Clarification response published 31 March 2025 @ 17:00
CA Submission deadline 1 April 2025 @ 16:00
Review CA's 4 April - 10 April 2025
Supplier Event preparation 11 April - 17 April 2025
Supplier Day (to include demos) 21 - 22 April 2025
ITT Preparation 23 April - 29 April 2025
ITT Publication 1 May 2025
ITT Clarification period opens 1 May 2025
ITT Clarification period closes 14 May 2025
ITT Clarification responses published 19 May 2025
ITT Submission deadline 28 May 2025
Evaluation / Moderation 2 - 6 June 2025
Intention to Award 9 June 2025
Alcatel period 10 June - 20 June 2025
Contract Award 23 June 2025
Draft Contract documentation 25 June 2025
Indicative Contract Phases
Start of Contract 2 July 2025
Inception meeting - London 2 July 2025
Discovery phase ends 18 July 2015
Proof of concept phase ends 10 October 2025
Pilot stage ends 16 January 2026
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 May 2025
Contracting authority
Department for Transport
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLTC-5358-LTWZ
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government