West Yorkshire Mass Transit Network - Business Case Development Partner

Tender description

West Yorkshire Mass Transit Network: Business Case Development PartnerPrior Information Notice – Supplier Market EngagementIntroductionThe West Yorkshire Combined Authority (the CA) is seeking to appoint a ‘Mass Transit Business Case Development Partner’ to support the CA by developing all future business case work (WYCA Assurance Stage 2, OBC and FBC - WYCA Assurance Framework) and associated products, to ensure the programme completes the various business case stages, set by HM Government and the Combined Authority Assurance Framework. Lot 1: Prior Information Notice – Supplier Market EngagementIntroductionThe West Yorkshire Combined Authority (the CA) is seeking to appoint a ‘Mass Transit Business Case Development Partner’ to support the CA by developing all future business case work (WYCA Assurance Stage 2, OBC and FBC - WYCA Assurance Framework) and associated products, to ensure the programme completes the various business case stages, set by HM Government and the Combined Authority Assurance Framework.BackgroundOver the last 18 months the Combined Authority has been undertaking the preparatory works and evidence base which has focused on corridors of greatest economic need within our region. Through this process, a shortlist of 10 corridors have been identified potentially for Mass Transit. Public engagement on the connectivity plan has taken place through spring 2021, which will be the first time the places to connect via mass transit have been in the public domain. Please see our website for more information https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/connectivityAt the Combined Authority meeting in February 2020, in the light of the WY Devolution Deal, and positive Ministerial commitments to Mass Transit, the West Yorkshire Leaders agreed to continue to undertake and accelerate early preparatory works to plan for mass transit across the region on the corridors identified within the emerging Connectivity Plan. This commission (along with others already under contract) aims to meet further accelerate this work and progress the programme through the business case stages, towards construction of the first phase.The first Mayor of West Yorkshire is supportive of the Mass Transit proposals. https://twitter.com/MayorOfWY/status/1398349606468132865 In January 2020, the Combined Authority commissioned Steer/Jacobs (as a consortium) to produce a programme level SOBC (P-SOBC) suitable to submit to the WYCA Assurance Framework. The Steer Jacobs Commission was procured though the Crown Commercial Services Framework, relating to P-SOBC development only. This stage in work is now reaching a conclusion and this new Commission will take over all future business case development work for mass transit.PurposeThe Mass Transit Business Case Development Partner will support the CA by developing all future business case work and associated products for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit Programme. In addition to five stage business case work, this commission is also intended to provide flexibility to undertake a wide scope of work that will necessary to deliver the programme through the business case stages of development. This is an ambitious and high profile area of work and this commission is a pivotal in setting a successful direction for the programme. It is important that the Combined Authority are supported by a high calibre team, which is experienced in Business Case development and case making for Mass / Urban Transit programmes.The scope defined below aims to cover all possibilities of potential areas of work known at the time of the tender being released to the market.The aim of the scope as defined is to allow for the necessary flexibility within each of the potential areas of development, to allow for timely and seamless development of this phase of the programme. The scope is likely to be divided into a number of work areas including:1. Lot 1 - Business Case Drafting – (SOC / OBC / FBC / FBC+) and Funding Bid Development2. Lot 2 – Modelling, Scenario Testing, Network Planning, Operational/Timetable Strategy Development and Economic Appraisal3. Lot 3; Expert Witness, Public and Planning Inquiry Support 4. Lot 4 - Stakeholder Management, Consultation, Engagement and Objection Management5. Lot 5: Client Side Management. Additional information: Contract OpportunityIt is anticipated that the available contract opportunities in relation to this requirement will be for a period of 5-10 years with a potential value of circa £5-10m (this may be subject to change). The chosen procurement approach is yet to be determined and will be informed by this supplier market engagement exercise.