Planning

Metrolink Operations and Maintenance

  • Transport for Greater Manchester

UK3: Planned procurement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-016695

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0506c2

Published 24 April 2025, 10:24am



Scope

Reference

202501010

Description

The Metrolink Tram System is the backbone of the Bee Network and is of strategic importance to the economy of Greater Manchester, providing fast and frequent links across the region for employment, leisure and tourism.

The Metrolink assets comprise a fleet of 147 trams, over 100 kilometers of track and overhead line, 99 stops, 2 depots and growing patronage of over 46 million passenger journeys per annum (March 2025). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK.

Operation and management of the system is currently undertaken via one major contract let by TfGM. The maintenance and operations obligations for Metrolink are included within the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) with the current contract ending in July 2027.

Selecting the best provider of operation and maintenance services is critical to TfGM's continued success in the coming decade. The value of the operations and maintenance services is expected to be in the order of £1.6 billion (ex vat) over 11 years, with a potential to instruct additional capital works.

This notice is intended to inform potential tenderers that TfGM are now commencing the procurement process to appoint an operation and maintenance provider for 2027 onwards, and provide an initial timeline for the procurement.

The successful supplier, as an experienced operator and maintainer will also support TfGM in their procurement and delivery of Expansion Projects to the Metrolink System including new stops and new trams, new control systems and the development of future extensions. The successful supplier will be responsible for delivering a step change in asset management that maximises the life of the existing assets and maximises the capacity of the services delivered with the existing assets.

Total value (estimated)

  • £1,600,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £1,920,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 25 July 2027 to 24 July 2034
  • Possible extension to 24 July 2038
  • 11 years

Description of possible extension:

Optional one year extension following initial seven years with two further optional one year extension (or a single three year extension). Final one year emergency extension option.

Further and full detail will be provided within the procurement documentation once the process commences. (Total maximum 11 years)

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

Service patterns and Capital works - Further and full detail will be provided within the procurement documentation once the process commences.

Main procurement category

Services

Additional procurement category

Works

CPV classifications

  • 45000000 - Construction work
  • 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services
  • 60112000 - Public road transport services
  • 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
  • 60210000 - Public transport services by railways
  • 71314200 - Energy-management services
  • 71540000 - Construction management services
  • 71631470 - Railway-track inspection services
  • 79420000 - Management-related services
  • 98351000 - Car park management services

Contract locations

  • UKD - North West (England)

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

7 July 2025

Enquiry deadline

11 September 2025, 12:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

11 September 2025, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Via Pro Contract ePortal - Reference number DN772396

https://procontract.due-north.com

Documents will be freely available following issue of the UK2 Market Engagement Notice

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

15 January 2027


Other information

Applicable trade agreements

  • Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Special regime

Utilities


Documents

Documents to be provided after the tender notice

Free of charge and immediately available via the Pro Contract ePortal at the point of Market engagement and at tender - Reference

DN772396 https://procontract.due-north.com


Contracting authority

Transport for Greater Manchester

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNJQ-2746-NWYT

2 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BG

United Kingdom

Region: UKD33 - Manchester

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government


Other organisation

These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.

NORTHSTAR CONSULTANCY LIMITED

Summary of their role in this procurement: Project and procurement support

  • Companies House: 06172311
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDJV-5552-NCLP

78 York Street

London

W1H 1DP

United Kingdom

Region: UKI32 - Westminster


Contact organisation

Contact Transport for Greater Manchester for any enquiries.