Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Transport For Greater Manchester
2 Piccadilly Place
MANCHESTER
M13BG
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD - North West (England)
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
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
TfGM AS400 Hosting and Support Services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Following a procurement exercise in July 2021, Frontline Consultancy and Business Services Limited (Frontline) were awarded a 3-year contract to provide TfGM with hosting and support services for the AS400 system that it currently employs. Information on this contract can be found on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c01ca9b7-a336-4e97-b0ba-6582c331ecf1
TfGM are now seeking an additional 12-month provision of this hosting and support service under a new contract, and this notice provides transparency around the reasons for this single source requirement, and of TfGM's intention to tender for a new hosting and support system in early 2025.
The decision to contract with Frontline is based on the need to maintain TfGM's AS400 until a full review can be undertaken from January 2025, following the launch of the final tranche of Bus Franchising by TfGM across Greater Manchester. A longer-term procurement is likely to be advertised in early 2025, once the full scope of the services required to provide support has been considered and then determined.
Though the additional services were not included in the original procurement, a change in contractor at this stage would cause significant disruption and cannot be made for economic and technical reasons, as there is a significant risk of disruption to the operation of bus services in Greater Manchester, including payments to and from bus operators for using bus stations, timetabling, and route planning services.
A review of the long-term requirement for the AS400 product will be undertaken in January 2025, once all buses in Greater Manchester fall under franchised services. There would be significant duplication of costs associated with a change of service in June 2024, and then again following the review in January 2025. The proposed contract allows for maintenance of service provision in the short term, and time to implement any changes following the review in 2025.
The additional requirements at a value of £63,899.99 procured under this new contract do not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract.
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: £63,899.99
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The services provided under the proposed contract include:
24x7 AS400 Hosting on Frontlines infrastructure;
Support of the AS400 Service, including understanding of TfGM's coding and functionality;
Software Licensing of various products supporting TfGM developed applications;
Support of TfGM in house developed applications including breakfix and code changes;
As above, a short term provision of services is required until January 2025, following which a full review and tender will be undertaken.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The value of this contract is lower than the WTO threshold, however TfGM is providing this VEAT Notice given the aggregate value with the previous contract, as per the contract notice above.
Though the additional services were not included in the original procurement, a change in contractor at this stage would cause significant disruption and cannot be made for economic and technical reasons, as there is a significant risk of disruption to the operation of bus services in Greater Manchester, including payments to and from bus operators for using bus stations, timetabling, and route planning services.
The proposed contract allows for maintenance of service provision in the short term, and time to implement any changes following the planned review in 2025. TfGM is taking this approach to avoid unnecessary duplication of costs that could otherwise be associated with a further change of service provision in June 2024, as well as any other additional costs that could result following a more comprehensive review in January 2025. A review of the long-term requirement for the AS400 product will be undertaken in January 2025, once all buses in Greater Manchester fall under franchised services.
The additional requirements at a value of £63,899.99 procured under this new contract do not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract.
TfGM has a review of the AS400 planned in January 2025 and will issue a tender shortly after this should long term support be required following this contract.
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
Title
TfGM AS400 Hosting and Support Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 June 2024
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
Frontline Consultancy and Business Services Limited
Frontline House, Epsom Avenue
Handforth, Wilmslow
SK9 3PW
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD - North West (England)
Companies House
02643915
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: £63,899.99
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High court of England and Wales
London
Country
United Kingdom