IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

Transport for London (TfL) has recently launched the London Intelligent Bus — Second Generation (iBus2) project, the first phase of which is the undertaking of a feasibility study to assess potential options for replacing the current iBus system. As part of this feasibility study, TfL wishes to engage with the market to help shape how it might define, procure and contract for the ongoing operation, maintenance and enhancement of the iBus service through assessing the current market capabilities and appetite for the different potential elements of the service (including support of the existing bus systems and operations). This Prior Information Notice is to notify the market of TfL’s intention to carry out early market engagement and to provide details of how the early market engagement process is to be conducted. TfL is responsible for maintaining and enhancing a reliable, accessible and high quality bus network across London. TfL delivers this objective by planning and specifying the bus network and contracting out the operation of bus services to private bus operating companies (BOC) through a competitive tendering process. Through this arrangement, BOCs run services to TfL standards, employ drivers, controllers, engineers and other operating staff, and own assets including buses and garages. TfL monitors the performance and quality of the network operation, and is responsible for consultation with the public, ticketing/revenue, automatic vehicle location, stops, stands, bus stations and bus priority. The existing iBus system comprises a back office system and on-bus equipment through which it underpins the performance management system for London’s bus service and facilitates the payment of circa 2 000 000 000 GBP per annum to contracted bus operators. The on-bus equipment is currently on over 9500 buses and provides Real Time Information to passengers on-board, an interface for ticketing, vehicle location information, service control functionality, emergency service contact via the Network Management Control Centre (NMCC), voice radio integration and the data that feeds smartphone apps, websites and on-street signs. The feasibility study for iBus2 will explore different options for the procurement, delivery and ongoing operation of the next generation of the services, including where enhancements to functionality and increased efficiencies may be possible. At Section II.1.6) of this Prior Information Notice, it is stated that the potential contract will not be divided into lots — however, at this stage no options have been discounted, including a multi-vendor service. As part of the early market engagement to be undertaken to inform the feasibility study, TfL is looking to hold a Market Briefing Event at an appropriate location in London to provide further details around the project and invite all interested parties to discuss potential solutions. The currently proposed date for the Market Briefing Event is Thursday 14.2.2019, however this will be confirmed with interested parties closer to the date. Interested parties are asked to express their interest to Jud Broscombe-Walker (iBus2@tfl.gov.uk) by no later than Wednesday 6.2.2019 at 15:00 to be considered for attendance at the Market Briefing Event. Expressions of interest should include the party’s full company name, company registration number and key contact details. In addition, TfL requests that expressions of interest are accompanied by a short description (no more than two sides of A4 including diagrams) of the relevant capabilities of the company, which will be used by TfL for planning purposes. Parties that express interest will be provided with an iBus2 Market Brochure containing further details of the iBus2 project along with a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) to facilitate input to the feasibility study. Responses to the MSQ should be provided to iBus2@tfl.gov.uk and are politely requested by no later than Friday 1.3.2019. This will be discussed further at the Market Briefing Event. Unfortunately, notification of expression of interest and subsequent receipt of the market engagement material will not guarantee attendance to the Market Briefing Event due to venue capacity constraints. TfL will manage invitation and event registration process and will confirm attendance (or otherwise) by Friday 8.2.2019. Please note that in the event that attendance is not possible, TfL will still gratefully accept responses to the MSQ and commits to keep all interested parties updated on future developments with regards to the iBus2 project.