Scope
Reference
WS2149970083
Description
1) Background:
Transport for London's (TfL) data network and telecoms services underpin everything we do. Without them we cannot run any of our transport services or collect revenue. Since around 2017, we have been guided by an overarching strategy in relation to our data networks and telecoms services.
Based on this strategy, through modernisation and consolidation of infrastructure and consolidation of support contracts we have dramatically simplified our estate, improved reliability, increased levels of cyber security and materially reduced our costs. While our strategy recommends that we consolidate to the greatest extent possible, it also recognises that we operate in a number of very different environments and these may require different approaches to how services are delivered.
As such, the strategy has always envisaged the likely need for different delivery approaches (including how we contract services) for the delivery of our below-ground and above-ground data networks and telecoms services.
Therefore, based upon our strategy, with the exception of certain network services delivered as part of vertically integrated contracts (e.g. some of our signalling systems) we now have two key network and telecoms service categories delivered and supported by two main contracts - the Access Network and Wide Area Network (AN&W) Contract and the Connect Contract.
The Access Network and WAN Contract provides a range of services including; support for all head office buildings, connectivity to c. 6,000 operational locations (including traffic signals, CCTV cameras, bus stations, bus garages), London Underground (LU) Wi-Fi services, data centre routing and switching capability, firewalls and WAN connectivity to cloud and internet based services, as well as data network services to support revenue collection (including Road User Charging (RUC), Oyster and contactless payments).
The Connect Contract delivers two key service components. Firstly, the operationally critical 'radio services' used by LU. This includes TETRA radio services covering c. 270 stations and c. 400km of tracks, as well as c. 11,000 hand portables, 1,500+ train mobiles, 200+ dispatcher terminals and 200+ desk top radios. Secondly, the Connect Contract provides the provision of 'communication and connectivity services' for LU.
This includes data network connectivity between LU control centres, stations and station staff and other links for a range of railway applications and services, including TETRA radio and CCTV. This data network connectivity is currently provided by three data networks (MPLS, ATM and SDH) however these three networks are currently being replaced by a new, consolidated high capacity optical network which has been designed to maximise future utility.
2) Future Procurement:
Both the AN&W Contract and the Connect Contract expire towards the end of this decade. Therefore, we are currently in the process of planning and preparing for the future re-procurement of our main data network and telecoms services. Our initial analysis, supported by external assessment, is that re-procuring both of these contracts as part of a multi-lot procurement is most likely to offer optimised outcomes and a range of technical, operational, financial and commercial benefits.
Key benefits are anticipated to include; improved security, increased agility / ability to make changes, reduction in asset base / carbon reduction, improved availability and reliability, wider utility opportunities (e.g. for new signalling systems), more efficient and effective data network operations management, opportunities to better integrate data network and service management, a common view of system performance, economies of scale and aggregation to minimise delivery costs and maximise best value prices, and savings opportunities.
Therefore, we anticipate launching a multi-lot procurement in the second half of 2026. Our current expectation is the procurement will be based around three lots;
i. a TfL Connectivity Services lot: this will likely bring together the WAN elements of the Connect Contract and the LAN and Wi-Fi elements of the AN&W Contract for our LU locations (delivering end-to-end "below ground" network services);
ii. a LU Operational Radio lot: this will likely include the TETRA radio service elements of the Connect Contract; and
iii. a Commoditised Connectivity Services lot: this will likely include all remaining WAN, LAN and Wi-Fi elements of the AN&W Contract and Connect Contract, plus data centre services (delivering end-to-end "above ground" network services).
Total value (estimated)
- £1,250,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2029 to 20 November 2035
- Possible extension to 20 November 2040
- 11 years, 7 months, 20 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 June 2026
Engagement process description
In relation to the opportunity we now want to further develop our procurement approach and strategy. As part of this process we want to use preliminary market engagement to fully engage and communicate with the market.
Therefore, we intend to hold a preliminary market engagement launch event day on 20 June 2025, which is scheduled to start at 9:30am. The event will take place at Tech UK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD.
Our key objectives of this initial engagement are to;
i) inform the market about the forthcoming procurement opportunity and further explain about the likely scope of the procurement and specify the anticipated key objectives and requirements;
ii) stimulate the market to ensure a broad range of suppliers are aware and informed on the opportunity; and
iii) engage with the market to attain structured feedback to further help us shape, develop and design in further detail our requirements and approach to the procurement.
The event will primarily be based around us; further presenting about the data network and telecoms services, explaining other related areas and requirements which are critical to the services and future procurement, setting out some of the key opportunities and benefits we have identified with the future procurement, and providing a high level overview of our likely procurement process and timescales.
Following the event we intend to share structured questionnaires where we will invite interested suppliers to provide us with structured feedback to help us further develop our future approach.
If you are interested in attending the event please email us at: NTPPCommercial@tfl.gov.uk
Please title the email, "Request to attend TfL launch event" and in the body of the email please provide the names of up to two individuals who you would like to attend the event.
Please also include the organisation name of who the proposed attendee(s) work for, together with their job titles. Also, if you could please also state any accessibility or dietary requirements you may have. Step free access is provided at the venue.
We will respond to confirm your attendance. However, in the event we are unable to accept your attendance (e.g. due to the venue capacity being met) we will share the launch event information with you following the event, together with the questionnaires. As per below, we will also hope to offer you the chance to join remotely if we are unable to accommodate your in-person attendance on the day.
Alternatively, we anticipate being able to provide access to join the event remotely. If you are interested in this option please contact us via the above email address.
Please title the email, "Request to attend TfL launch event remotely" and in the body of the email please provide the names, job titles and email addresses of up to two individuals who you would like to receive a link to join the event remotely. We will then provide further details on how they can join on the day.
In addition, if you are unable to attend the event, but you are interested in receiving the launch event information, please also email us (using the above email) requesting the information. Please title the email, "Request to receive TfL launch event information" and we will share the launch event information with you following the event, together with the questionnaires.
We look forward to engaging with the market on this opportunity moving forward.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
19 September 2026
Contracting authority
Transport for London
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHMT-6197-NWNZ
5 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
United Kingdom
Email: NTPPCommercial@tfl.gov.uk
Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - central government