Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
George Stephenson House
York
YO16JT
Contact
Robin Horsman
Robin.Horsman@northernrailway.co.uk
Telephone
+44 7827937566
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKE21 - York
Companies House
03076444
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Upgrade of Payment Validators (Pvals), associated software and integration services.
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 30123100 - Ticket-validation machines
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Upgrade of Payment Validators (Pvals), associated software and integration into the into the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Bee Network (Phase 1).
The contract will upgrade existing Pval equipment and software to allow payment transactions to integrate into the TfGM Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) scheme.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Upgrade of Payment Validators (PVals) and associated software to allow EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) transactions. This will integrate into the into the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Bee Network (Phase 1).
The contract will upgrade existing ATG equipment and software to allow payment transactions to integrate into the TfGM Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) scheme. The activities will include as minimum:
• Software development.
• Upgrade of PVals to accept contactless EMV physical and virtual cards on devices alongside existing fare media
• Deployment of a supplier middle office.
• Integration from the supplier middle office to the TfGM Secure Middle Office (SMO).
• PCI certification.
• Commissioning of devices for use at various stations on the operating network of Northern Trains Limited 'NTL'.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
Explanation:
This approach is allowed under the UCR's where restrictions on the use of IPR do not trigger a requirement to conduct a new OJEU-compliant tender process.
We believe in this circumstance the following is applicable:
There are grounds where NTL as public body could award a subsequent contract to a third party using the exemptions in Regulation 50 of the UCR. This exemption is provided for under the UCR Regulation 50(1)(c) which allows Utilities to award a contract where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier because competition is absent for technical reasons and where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. The supplier owns copyright and the IPR in all the software. The absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement.
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
27 June 2025
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Depart for Transport
Great Minster House,
London
SW1P 4DR
Country
United Kingdom