Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED
2nd Floor St Andrew's House
London
EC4A3AG
Contact
Sidharth Narayanan
sidharth.narayanan@wmtrains.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Companies House
2024/S 000-005841
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Supply of software plus associated hardware and maintenance services for a digital customer information system (CIS) at WMT's railway stations
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
WMT's digital customer information system (CIS) contract with Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd (WMT 2462) ran until the 30th of September 2025. Under the existing contract, work was split into Phase 1 software and Phase 2 software- which are codependent to run a compliant CIS system. Both stage 1&2 software have been amalgamated into one software licence to cover all DCIS devices at stations. A 12 month direct award for the extension of services till 30th September 2026 will enable continuous access to the customer information systems and avoid disruption,
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: £733,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG3 - West Midlands
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Extension of the existing services. Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd provide the Digital Customer Information System. This enhances the passenger journey, supports the frontline staff and enables better response from control rooms.
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:
WMT intend to award a contract directly to the incumbent supplier for the continued provision of the Customer Information System for a period of 12 months.
The decision is made under Regulation 50 of UCR 2016 on the grounds that competition is absent due to technical reasons.
WMT are requesting continuation of the Blackbox software only. This software is only compatible with current screens that were fitted 2024, should WMT retender and another supplier successful it will cause major disruption to service as new screens will be required to support the software.
The Blackbox system is a business critical application that underpins the delivery of real-time customer information across the network.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
WMT 2462 VO15
Title
Extension of contract for continued access to the CIS software
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 February 2024
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
Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd
6 Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne Wokingham RG40 3GA
Wokingham
RG40 3GA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ - South East (England)
Companies House
2024/S 000-005908
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
West Midlands Train Ltd
134 Edmund Street
Birmingham
B3 2ES
sidharth.narayanan@wmtrains.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom