Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Transport for Greater Manchester
2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M13BG
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD33 - Manchester
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main 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
Agreement relating to AS400 software Hosting and Support
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 the 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
In July 2024 TfGM publish a VEAT notice seeking an additional 12 month provision of this same service under a new contract. Link to this notice - TfGM AS400 Hosting and Support Services - Find a Tender
TfGM are now seeking to extend, for a 12-month provision the current service. Following the launch of the final tranche of Bus Franchising, the move away from this service has taken longer than previously planned to complete and there is now not enough time available to complete a tender exercise before the current contract expires and to (potentially) have to onboard a new supplier, should that be the result of the tender.
The decision to contract again with Frontline is based on the need to maintain TfGM's AS400 system whilst a new tender exercise is ran, which will also include an allowed period for testing and implementation which may be required.
It should be noted that the decision to extend the current service with Frontline for a period of 12 months will not mean that TfGM will have to wait until the expiry of that contract, so July 2026, to onboard the new supplier. It is TfGM's intention that the two will overlap and that the new contract would commence as soon as is practicable after the procurement process has been completed.
The new tender has now been launched and the CDP reference number for suppliers that might be interested in bidding for this tender is ocds-h6vhtk-052945.
The new tender is for the same services that this VEAT notice has been drafted for, so the iSeries hosting and support service. This will be a 1+1 term contract term and it will be sourced via an Open Tender opportunity under the new Procurement Act 2023.
A change in contractor at this stage, prior to a supplier being chosen by the new tender process, would detract from any value for money delivery and would cause significant risk and disruption to the operation of a number of operator payment systems which would stop working, contract management for operators would not be available, lost mileage (delays due to roadworks) payments would also not be available and a number of systems that require interface into the Network Database to function would also stop.
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: £72,674.57
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Following a procurement exercise in July 2021, Frontline Consultancy and Business Services Limited (Frontline) were awarded a 3 year contract to provide TfGM with the 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
In July 2024 TfGM publish a VEAT notice seeking an additional 12 month provision of this same service under a new contract. Link to this notice - TfGM AS400 Hosting and Support Services - Find a Tender
TfGM are now seeking to extend, for a 12-month provision the current service. Following the launch of the final tranche of Bus Franchising, the move away from this service has taken longer than previously planned to complete and there is now not enough time available to complete a tender exercise before the current contract expires and to (potentially) have to onboard a new supplier, should that be the result of the tender.
This 12-month period will end on the 01/07/2026 when the new contract, following the new tender (noted below) will come into effect.
The supplier provides the hosting of the AS400 platform and the support associated with its use and upkeep.
The decision to contract again with Frontline is based on the need to maintain TfGM's AS400 platform whilst a new tender exercise, including an allowed period for testing and implementation is ran.
The new tender has now been launched and the CDP reference number for suppliers that might be interested in bidding for this tender is ocds-h6vhtk-052945.
A change in contractor at this stage, prior to a supplier being chosen by the new tender process, would detract from any value for money delivery and would cause significant risk and disruption to the operation of a number of operator payment systems. Contract management for operators would also not be available and the ability to make associated payments would not be available. A number of systems that require interface into the Network Database to function would also stop working, which could impact information that is shared with TfGM customers.
Bus Franchising, which TfGM have now implemented, has made significant changes to TfGM's Bus Operations since it began and will continue to do so. The AS400 infrastructure is the primary platform currently used to support Bus Operations in TfGM.
Many of the applications on the AS400 were written in house by TfGM developers. Approximately 6 years ago a business decision was made to not replace our own developers and so to pass application support to a third party supplier (Frontline). For another supplier to take on the application support at this stage, for such a short time period would mean that there would need to be a new discovery exercise and handover between Frontline and the new supplier (incurring additional and unforeseen costs) to understand the existing code and functionality within the applications which would add further cost and delays to any migration of service.
The cost to TfGM of moving to a new supplier would substantial duplicate the associated costs for the contracting authority.
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:
In July 2024 TfGM publish a VEAT notice seeking an additional 12 month provision of this same service under a new contract. Link to this notice - TfGM AS400 Hosting and Support Services - Find a Tender
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
30 May 2025
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
- UK - United Kingdom
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: £72,674.57
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High court of England and Wales
London
Country
United Kingdom