Scope
Reference
JB/ICT/LCC/26/R1177
Description
NoWcard is a transport smart card pass, most commonly for the elderly or disabled, available for use in Cumberland, Westmorland & Furness, Lancashire County Council (LCC), Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool administrative areas. It is administered by LCC on behalf of all NoWcard members with the smart card recording journey details and verifies eligibility for the concessionary travel.
LCC wish to engage a managed service provider to supply and maintain an ITSO (Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation) compliant NoWcard system, which is composed of the following components;
1. Asset Management System - Host Operator Processing System (AMS - HOPS)
2. ITSO Secure Application Module (ISAM) management
3. Cardholder and Card Management System (CMS) - English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) and Commercial Schemes
4. On-line application (web portal) - integration of ENCTS and existing commercial CMS
5. Print and Dispatch
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2030
- Possible extension to 30 June 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
- UKD4 - Lancashire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 October 2025
Engagement process description
The early market engagement process is detailed within the Request for Information (RFI). Copies of the RFI documentation will be available at https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/. Interested bidders are recommended to revisit this link regularly for updates on questions and answers that LCC have received.
Interested parties should complete the RFI returnable form and send to digitalprocurement@lancashire.gov.uk on or before the 30th October 2025.
Lancashire County Council (LCC) intend to run the early market engagement via a desktop review, however LCC reserves the right to invited interest parties to a follow-up discussion to better understand their RFI response.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
5 January 2026
Contracting authorities
Lancashire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBJ-2179-TNXM
PO Box 100, County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
United Kingdom
Email: digitalprocurement@lancashire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/
Region: UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
BLACKPOOL COUNCIL
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHHB-5249-RZVD
PO Box 11, Town Hall
Blackpool
FY1 1NB
United Kingdom
Region: UKD42 - Blackpool
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYGR-1856-CVXM
Town Hall, King WIlliam Street
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@blackburn.gov.uk
Region: UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Westmorland and Furness Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYYD-1758-YNVR
South Lakeland House
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Evaluation and ongoing contract management support for the social value deliverables under the future contract
- Companies House: 09197997
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQHH-4489-TLZM
Tintagel House
London
SE1 7TY
United Kingdom
Email: sales@socialvalueportal.com
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth