Scope
Reference
WS2124341025 / LTC-23-607
Description
The London Trams Control system was originally installed in the late 1990s when the system was constructed and comprised two distinct elements:
1. The Trams Management System (TMS), installed in the depot at Therapia Lane and comprises software and hardware components responsible for taking information from equipment across the tram network and providing status and control capabilities to control room operational and maintenance staff. The TMS additionally performs a SCADA function, including software and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) at the various traction power supply substations positioned across the network.
2. The Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) installed at various locations around the tram network, provide autonomous local decision making and control of aspects of the signalling and control system. Communication between these elements is provided by a distributed fibre-optic communications system.
The PLCs are original equipment and have been in use since the inauguration of the network at the turn of the century. The TMS is a more recent installation having been replaced in 2014.
Both parts of the control system contain elements that are becoming obsolete and nearing life expiry.
TfL is therefore planning to procure the design, delivery and implementation of a replacement system to encompass the full control system requirements, replacing the existing TMS, RTUs and PLCs. The requirement will also cover ongoing maintenance and support services.
The procurement is for award of two contracts to the same supplier, one for the design, delivery and implementation of the replacement system, and one for the ongoing maintenance and support services. The maintenance contract will commence following the implementation of the replacement system, on a minimum term of five years and an option to extend for the life of the system.
The estimated 7-year contract duration entered covers the estimated duration of the system replacement (est. 2 years) and initial maintenance term (5 years), with the option to extend the maintenance services for up to a further 15 years (covering the expected system life of 20 years total).
The contracting entity for this procurement will be Tramtrack Croydon Limited, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Transport for London.
Total value (estimated)
- £20,000,000 excluding VAT
- £24,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 4 January 2027 to 31 December 2033
- Possible extension to 31 December 2048
- 21 years, 11 months, 28 days
Main procurement category
Works
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 32570000 - Communications equipment
- 34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts
- 45230000 - Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork
Contract locations
- UKI - London
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 March 2024
The engagement was carried out before this notice was published.
Engagement process description
TfL issued a 'F01: Prior information notice' on Find a Tender Service on 19th January 2024. This was published under the Utilities Contract Regulation 2016.
Interested parties responding to this notice were issued a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) with a deadline for completion by 13th March 2024 for feedback to be considered.
The scope of the MSQ covered:
Interest
Capability and experience
Need for sub-contracting
Existing software/hardware availability
Contracting approach
Engineering challenges, technical and commercial risk
Maintenance and support
Innovation
Sessions were subsequently held with respondees assessed as having the capability and experience for the scope of works based on their MSQ responses. Each session further explored the responses to the MSQ questions.
The market sounding confirmed adequate interest and capability to progress this procurement.
The scope of this procurement has not changed as a result of the engagement, though clarity is now provided that the procurement will encompass the requirement for ongoing maintenance and support services.
In addition, it is confirmed that the design, delivery and installation of the replacement system will be on a fixed price basis.
TfL is not seeking further engagement prior to the Tender Notice being issued, but requests interested suppliers take note of revised procurement timeframes, with the Tender Notice now planned for publication in July 2025.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
24 July 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
Transport for London
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHMT-6197-NWNZ
5 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
United Kingdom
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - central government