Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Transport for Greater Manchester
2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
Contact
Mr Peter O'Driscoll
Telephone
+44 1612441153
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
http://procontract.due-north.com/register
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
http://procontract.due-north.com/register
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Facilitation of Public Transport
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Finance Provider and Dealership Audit Service Tender
Reference number
DN571223
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79212000 - Auditing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
TfGM is looking to establish a contract for the appointment of an organisation with experience in the asset finance industry to provide an Auditing and Monitoring service to support the Financial Support Scheme (FSS).
This service will be for the provision of auditing and monitoring services across the Financiers appointed to the Framework and also the Dealerships accredited to the Financial Support Scheme. It will support the operational management of the Financial Support Scheme through the provision of “second line” assurance over the distribution of funds through both grant monies and preferential finance.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Since 2010, the UK has been in breach of the legal limits of levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in major urban areas. The 2008 Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) set legally binding limits for concentrations of major air pollutants that affect human health, including NO2 and particulates. The Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 transposed the 2008 Directive into English law and requires the Secretary of State to draw up and implement a national air quality plan to achieve the relevant limit within the ‘shortest possible time’
One of the measures that has been put into place is the setting up of a Financial Support Scheme which has been created and will provide financial assistance for taxis and commercial vehicle’s encompassing LGV’s & HGV’s which will be delivered through two procured mechanisms:
• a Financial Support Scheme(“FSS”) providing a digital upfront platform for automated eligibility checking of both Applicants and vehicles and grant payments to Applicants who choose this funding option. This platform will also manage the network of dealerships who will be accredited to the Financial Support Scheme and the monitoring and draw down of funds.
• a Vehicle Finance Framework of FCA accredited Financiers who will be able to offer preferential vehicle finance loans to Applicants due to the interest element being paid directly by TfGM to the Financier. These two services have been procured separately as integral elements delivering the overall customer journey requiring defined interfaces to manage the customer experience.
TfGM is looking to establish a contract for the appointment of an organisation with experience in the asset finance industry to provide an Auditing and Monitoring service to support the Financial Support Scheme (FSS).
This service will be for the provision of auditing and monitoring services across the Financiers appointed to the Framework and also the Dealerships accredited to the Financial Support Scheme. It will support the operational management of the Financial Support Scheme through the provision of “second line” assurance over the distribution of funds through both grant monies and preferential finance.
The establishment of the service is required during early 2022 to enable a full mobilisation prior to the commencement of an agreed quarterly auditing cycle and the first auditing cycle will be undertaken 3 months post Go-Live of the Financial Support Scheme.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority may extend this agreement beyond the Initial 24 month Term by a further period or periods of up to 1 year (each such extension together with any such extensions, being the "Extension Period"). If the Authority wishes to extend this agreement, it shall give the Supplier at least 3 months' written notice of such intention before the expiry of the Initial Term or Extension Period.
TfGM also has the right to terminate the agreement by issuing written notice to the Supplier where the TfGM Scheme Funding ceases.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
29 October 2021
Local time
1:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
29 October 2021
Local time
1:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
Additional information and visibility of Invitation to Tender documentation is via http://procontract.due-north.com/ register and the opportunity is entitled ‘Finance Provider and Dealership Audit Service Tender'’,
• Please note the return date and time in IV2.2 is the final date for submission of the completed Invitation to Tender,
• This Procurement process will be conducted through the ProContract e-tendering portal and any submission made outside of this portal will be disqualified,
• All communications, including tender submission must be written in English and priced in pounds sterling,
• Nothing in this procurement process is intended to form any express or implied contractual relationship between parties unless and until the award of a contract is concluded,
• Any contract entered into as a result of this procurement will be considered to be a contract governed by English Law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales,
• TfGM is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses (including third party costs, fees or expenses) incurred by those expressing an interest in, negotiating or tendering for this contract opportunity,
• TfGM reserves the right to terminate this procurement process or to amend or vary the process at any time prior to the conclusion of the award of contract without liability to any party,
• Applicants are advised that the most economically advantageous tender or any tender will not automatically be
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Transport for Greater Manchester
Manchester
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
TfGM will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to receive further debriefing from the contracting authority before the contract is entered into.
Applicants who are unsuccessful shall be informed by TfGM as soon as possible after the decision has been made as to the reasons why the applicant was unsuccessful. Should additional information be required it should be requested of the addressee in section I.1.
If an appeal regarding the award of the contract has not been successfully resolved, The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No.102), as amended, provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by breach of the rules to take action in the High Court. Any such action must be brought promptly(generally within 30 days). If a declaration of ineffectiveness is sought, any such action must be brought within 30 days where TfGM has communicated the award of the contract and a summary of reasons to tenderers, or otherwise within 6 months. Where a contract has not been entered into, the Court may order the
setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages.
If the contract has been entered into the Court may, depending on the circumstances, award damages, make a declaration of ineffectiveness, order TfGM to pay a fine, and/or order that the duration of the contract be shortened. The purpose of the standstill period referred to above is to allow the parties to apply to the Courts to set aside the award decision before the contract is entered into.