Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
Country
United Kingdom
Region 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
https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned 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
Merchant Acquirer Agreement
Reference number
DN746584
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66100000 - Banking and investment services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting suppliers of Merchant Acquirer services (that enable Merchants to process contactless bank card pay-as-you go transactions in accordance with bank card scheme Transit rules, alongside the other, more typical forms of bank card payment acceptance), to note TfGM’s intention to initiate a procurement exercise in relation to Merchant Acquirer Services in 2025.
At this early stage, TfGM is seeking to gain a greater understanding of the range of Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway services available and would welcome any information that can be provided by potential interested parties regarding recent or expected innovation, development and compliance changes generally. TfGM will consider any such information provided in relation to TfGM’s requirements for bankcard transaction processing and Ticketing Schemes.
Since TfGM’s Ticketing Schemes are likely to extend across all potential transport and associated modes including (but not limited to) Light Rail, Bus, Heavy Rail, Active Travel, understanding experience, potential innovation and changes in compliance requirements in these areas is welcome.
Potential Merchant Acquiring services (including the Payment Gateway) will work in conjunction with an assortment of field equipment devices such as (platform validators, electronic ticketing machines, revenue inspection devices and other bank card reading devices) as well as Middle and Back Office services, Retail Engine and other capabilities that have either been sourced (from external third parties) or developed by TfGM.
Suppliers are also invited to provide indicative timescales for service implementation as well as any transitional dependencies. Since TfGM already operates a highly successful contactless bankcard transaction processing scheme, supplier consideration of the arrangements to successfully transition from existing to new services will be key.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £4,500,000
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
Please be advised that, at this stage, this PIN is for investigative purposes only and there is no commitment from TfGM that a procurement exercise will result from this activity. The Place of Performance that is set out in section II.2.3 of this notice reflects a longer-term ambition to extend ticketing products and schemes to areas that are adjacent to Greater Manchester and may or may not apply to any contract during its term.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
It is anticipated that TfGM will award a contract for an Initial Term of 5 Years (90 months) with an Option to extend the Agreement for a further period of 4 Years (48 months).
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
30 April 2025
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Merchant Acquirer Agreement
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66100000 - Banking and investment services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting suppliers of Merchant Acquirer services (that enable Merchants to process contactless bank card pay-as-you go transactions in accordance with bank card scheme Transit rules, alongside the other, more typical forms of bank card payment acceptance), to note TfGM’s intention to initiate a procurement exercise in relation to Merchant Acquirer Services in 2025.
At this early stage, TfGM is seeking to gain a greater understanding of the range of Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway services available and would welcome any information that can be provided by potential interested parties regarding recent or expected innovation, development and compliance changes generally. TfGM will consider any such information provided in relation to TfGM’s requirements for bankcard transaction processing and Ticketing Schemes.
Since TfGM’s Ticketing Schemes are likely to extend across all potential transport and associated modes including (but not limited to) Light Rail, Bus, Heavy Rail, Active Travel, understanding experience, potential innovation and changes in compliance requirements in these areas is welcome.
Potential Merchant Acquiring services (including the Payment Gateway) will work in conjunction with an assortment of field equipment devices such as (platform validators, electronic ticketing machines, revenue inspection devices and other bank card reading devices) as well as Middle and Back Office services, Retail Engine and other capabilities that have either been sourced (from external third parties) or developed by TfGM.
Suppliers are also invited to provide indicative timescales for service implementation as well as any transitional dependencies. Since TfGM already operates a highly successful contactless bankcard transaction processing scheme, supplier consideration of the arrangements to successfully transition from existing to new services will be key.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Please be advised that, at this stage, this PIN is for investigative purposes only and there is no commitment from TfGM that a procurement exercise will result from this activity. The Place of Performance that is set out in section II.2.3 of this notice reflects a longer-term ambition to extend ticketing products and schemes to areas that are adjacent to Greater Manchester and may or may not apply to any contract during its term.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
It is anticipated that TfGM will award a contract for an Initial Term of 5 Years (90 months) with an Option to extend the Agreement for a further period of 4 Years (48 months).
two.2.14) Additional information
Suppliers are requested to open the ProContract link for the Merchant Acquirer Service Agreement opportunity and use the message function on ProContract to upload information regarding their Merchant Acquirer and Payment Gateway service capabilities.
Suppliers may use their own discretion when determining what information to share, for example; sales literature, presentation slides or videographic information.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
30 April 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This prior information notice is issued solely for the purpose of prior information and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the
future.
Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PIN and
a response to this PIN does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this event or any
future procurement