Motor vehicles

Tender description

Kent County Council would like to engage with autonomous electric shuttle providers within the public transport market in regard to supply, set up and commissioning, of the shuttles and shuttle operator training and shuttle maintenance training to the Fastrack operator for a 1 or 2 year trial. Fastrack has operated successfully since 2006 and is a key element of the substantial developments being constructed in Kent Thameside. The developments are designed to be served by sustainable transport modes and, without Fastrack, it is forecast that there would be significant additional traffic congestion and air pollution on the local road network. Fastrack is therefore vital in increasing the modal share to public transport from private cars. This PIN provides notice of an opportunity to provide autonomous shared electric shuttles for a trial. The shuttles will form part of the Fastrack Bus Rapid Transit Network in Ebbsfleet, Kent. KCC would like to engage with autonomous electric shuttle providers within the public transport market in regard to supply, set up and commissioning, of the shuttles and shuttle operator training and shuttle maintenance training to the Fastrack operator for a 1 or 2 year trial. Fastrack has operated successfully since 2006 and is a key element of the substantial developments being constructed in Kent Thameside. The developments are designed to be served by sustainable transport modes and, without Fastrack, it is forecast that there would be significant additional traffic congestion and air pollution on the local road network. Fastrack is therefore vital in increasing the modal share to public transport from private cars. We see Fastrack as a testbed for innovation and new technology. This is a trial initially on a short part of the Fastrack B network between Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater Shopping centre. There is a potential for further expansion with potential extending Fastrack to a proposed new theme park on Swanscombe Peninsula. This could mean use of many more shared autonomous shuttles to transport customers from Ebbsfleet International station to the proposed new London Resort Theme Park on Swanscombe Peninsula if it goes ahead for launch in 2024. KCC are working closely with the London Resort to ensure that there is a robust Transport strategy using Fastrack network to the Theme park to avoid gridlock and worse air pollution and CO2 emissions in the area. Please see maps in Annex explaining the geography of the area and website link to the proposed London Resort. KCC requests that interested suppliers express an interest in this opportunity and complete a questionnaire and provide indicative costs to either purchase or lease to share their thoughts and expertise to assist KCC determine and shape the specification and plans. It is anticipated that the contract will run for up to 1 or 2 years as a trial. The electric shuttles will be expected to: 1) Fully electric; 2) Operate autonomously at level 4 autonomy; 3) Carry a min of 15 passengers (mix of seated and standing); 4) Suitable for continuous day operation without needing depot charging during the day (depot charging at night or potential for Opportunity Charger charging throughout the day); 5) Have live successful deployments to show as case studies on live highways in the UK or around the world. Providers that are interested but are not registered on the Kent Business Portal should register at the following address in the first instance: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk The Council intends to hold a competitive tendering process during 2021, via the Kent Business Portal, to secure these new autonomous electric shuttles and is publishing this notice to enable the option of reduced OJEU advert timescales. It is the Council’s aim to make the Invitation to Tender (ITT), process as easy as possible for tenderers to complete. It is anticipated that the initial contract of supply and maintenance will run for approximately 2 years with the provision of extension periods to be agreed. An official tender process is expected to follow in the next few months with the intention of the shuttle trial to go live on Fastrack during March 2021. Please contact Jacqui Elliott at the following address if you would like additional information and market engagement questionnaire in a market engagement pack: Jacqui.elliott@kent.gov.uk