Framework for Technical Services for Projects Funded by the National Transport Authority

Tender description

The objective of this multi-supplier framework agreement is to establish a framework of suitable qualified service providers who will be available, upon request, to tender for the provision of certain technical services in relation to projects funded by the Authority. It is intended that this framework will include as contracting authorities the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and any future operators of services from any Bus Market Opening (BMO) Competitions. Following consideration of Tenders received, the Authority may, at its discretion, enter into Contracts (being the Framework Agreement) with a maximum of six tenderers for Lots 1 to 6 inclusive, and a maximum of 12 for Lots 7 to 12 inclusive, subject to that number meeting the minimum criteria and submitting the most economically advantageous Tenders. Lot 1: Public Transport Service Design The technical services required include but are not limited to: •Identification of options for provision or amendment of local networks or individual public transport services to meet passenger demand and social, economic and environmental objectives; •Outline design of new or amended public transport networks and services in urban, rural or inter-urban environments, including route alignments and stop and stand locations; •Making recommendations on service levels, vehicle types and capacities; •Assessment of service proposals or options in meeting objectives, including public transport network coverage and accessibility, forecast passenger demand and fare revenues and likely transfer from other services or modes of travel; •Reviewing the stakeholder landscape and making recommendations on the engagement process to be followed in developing network or service proposals, and undertaking stakeholder consultations as required; and •Writing technical notes and attending meetings. Lot 2: Appraisal of public transport network costs and benefits The technical services required include but are not limited to the following: •Estimation of the cost of services or network changes, including mobilisation and operating and management costs, and the development of template cost estimation models; •Reviewing and reporting on the impact of proposed network or services compared with current network or services in terms of coverage and accessibility, forecast demand, capacity, fares revenue and costs; •Multi-criteria analysis, financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost effectiveness analysis or prepare a Business Case to compare options and inform case for new or amended public transport networks or services; •Value for Money assessments of existing services or networks or competing public transport service proposals. These may include assessment of financial, economic social and environmental costs and benefits •Writing technical notes and appraisal reports, setting out options appraised and recommendations on preferred options Lot 3: Design of Infrastructure to Support Public Transport Services The technical services required include but are not limited to the following: • Identification of small-scale roads and traffic engineering measures or facilities needed to support new or amended services and networks, and of suitable concept and preliminary design solutions; • Topographical surveys of current arrangement as required to assist in the design of small scale roads and traffic engineering measures; • land referencing and/or preparation of wayleave drawings • Concept, preliminary or detailed design of on street passenger interchange facilities and off-street passenger interchange facilities; • Concept design of small-scale improvements to rail infrastructure to facilitate enhanced passenger services; • Site visits and desktop vehicle tracking analysis to confirm suitability of existing or proposed on-street or off-street facilities for bus or tram movements; • Undertaking the role of the Project Supervisor for the Design Process; • Preparation of design drawings and writing of technical notes as required; • Carrying out Road Safety Audits on all proposed design solutions; and • Consultations and meetings as required and revisions to designs as required following stakeholder review. Lot 4: Implementation of Public Transport Services Changes The technical services required to support implementation of public transport service changes include but are not limited to the following: • Review of the impact of the proposed network or service changes on existing service provision and operator contractual arrangements; • Advise Authority on suitable procurement options for new public transport services; • Preparation of bus and rail timetables and schedules and review of operator schedule changes proposals; • Review and make recommendations on efficient deployment of operator resources in provision of public transport services, including staff and vehicle scheduling, maintenance arrangements and operational supervision and control, working with operators as required; • Advice on suitable service performance and quality standards to apply in a contracted bus services environment; and • Recommendations on other aspects that will underpin successful implementation; and • Writing technical notes and attending meetings as required to discuss and explain results. Lot 5: Project and Programme Management The technical services required to manage project or programmes related to public transport network or service changes include but are not limited to the following: • Cost estimation and developing budgets and resource plan for project or programme • Preparation of project or programme plan and planning activities and resource allocation against that plan; • Monitoring progress of projects or programmes against agreed timeline and budget while ensuring delivery of a quality service; • Identification and analysis of project and programme risks and suitable mitigation measures; • Organising and motivation of project team; and • Working with project sponsor, project board and other stakeholders, reporting on progress and seeking decisions as required. Lot 6: Contract Procurement and Management Support The technical services required in support of public transport service contract procurement and management include but are not limited to the following: • Drafting of public transport contract documents, and in particular supporting technical schedules including service level specifications, vehicles specifications, performance standards, pricing and payment schedules; • Drafting of tender documents including pre-qualification questionnaires and requests for tender; • Participation in the tender evaluation and award process for competitively tendered public transport contracts; • Negotiating aspects of public transport operating contracts or contract variations with public transport operators to ensure procurement of high quality services at best value for money; • Monitoring contract performance and costs, and reporting to the public transport contracts team as required; and • Writing technical notes and attending meetings with operators and Authority staff as required. Lot 7: Contract Transport Technology Subject Matter Experts Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management within the Transport Technology Directorate. The Transport Technology Directorate is responsible for the provision and operation of systems and services necessary to support the provision of public transport services in Ireland. Such systems include integrated ticketing (Leap Card), CAD AVL, RTPI, on street displays, apps and associated systems. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 7 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. The services required in support of Contract Transport Technology Subject Matter Experts include but are not limited to the following: • Technical analysis and reporting across a range of transport technologies (e.g. ticketing, AVL, RTPI, DRT, transport operations); • Drafting technical requirements for new transport technology initiatives; • Performing market soundings, reviewing products and technology developments; • Drafting of transport technology tender documents including technical inputs into pre-qualification questionnaires and requests for tender; • Participation in the tender evaluation and award process for competitively tendered transport technology contracts; • Participating in transport technology project teams as required; • Supporting the operation of various systems within the Transport Technology directorate; and • Writing technical reports and attending meetings with transport operators and Authority staff as required. Lot 8: Public Transport Service Design – Subject Matter Expert Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management associated with Lot 1 of this Framework. These individuals are to be leaders and considered subject matter experts in the area of Public Transport Service Design. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 8 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. Individuals should have significant experience in one or more of the following areas: • Identification of options for provision or amendment of local networks or individual public transport services to meet passenger demand and social, economic and environmental objectives, in the context of relevant strategies or plans or programmes; • Outline design of new or amended public transport networks and services in urban, rural or inter-urban environments, including route alignments and stop and stand locations; • Making recommendations on service levels, vehicle types and capacities, taking into account the anticipated operating environment and passenger demand profile; • Assessment of service proposals or options in meeting objectives, including public transport network coverage and accessibility, forecast passenger demand and fare revenues and likely transfer from other services or modes of travel; • Reviewing the stakeholder landscape and making recommendations on the engagement process to be followed in developing network or service proposals, and undertaking stakeholder consultations as required; and • Writing technical notes and attending meetings as required to discuss and explain results to technical and lay audiences. Lot 9: Appraisal of public transport network costs and benefits– Subject Matter Expert Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management associated with Lot 2 of this Framework. These individuals are to be leaders and considered subject matter experts in the area of Public Transport Service Design. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 9 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. Individuals should have significant experience in either one or more of the following areas: • Estimation of the cost of services or network changes, including mobilisation and operating and management costs, and the development of template cost estimation models; • Reviewing and reporting on the impact of proposed network or services compared with current network or services in terms of coverage and accessibility, forecast demand, capacity, fares revenue and costs; • Depending on the scale and nature of the proposal, undertake transport planning case assessments, MCA, financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost effectiveness analysis or prepare a Business Case to compare options and inform case for new or amended public transport networks or services; • Value for Money assessments of existing services or networks or competing public transport service proposals to inform where scarce financial resources can best be deployed to meet passenger needs. These may include assessment of financial, economic social and environmental costs and benefits; and • Writing technical notes and appraisal reports, setting out options appraised and recommendations on preferred options where appropriate, and attending meetings as required to discuss and explain results. Lot 10: Implementation of Public Transport Services Changes – Subject Matter Expert Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management associated with Lot 4 of this Framework. These individuals are to be leaders and considered subject matter experts in the area of Public Transport Service Design. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 10 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. Individuals should have significant experience in either one or more of the following areas: • Review of the impact of the proposed network or service changes on existing service provision and operator contractual arrangements; • Advise Authority on suitable procurement options for new public transport services; • Preparation of bus and rail timetables and schedules and review of operator schedule changes proposals; • Review and make recommendations on efficient deployment of operator resources in provision of public transport services, including staff and vehicle scheduling, maintenance arrangements and operational supervision and control, working with operators as required; • Advice on suitable service performance and quality standards to apply in a contracted bus services environment; and • Recommendations on other aspects that will underpin successful implementation; and • Writing technical notes and attending meetings as required to discuss and explain results. Lot 11: Project and Programme Management – Subject Matter Expert Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management associated with Lot 5 of this Framework. These individuals are to be leaders and considered subject matter experts in the area of Public Transport Service Design. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 11 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. Individuals should have significant experience in either one or more of the following areas: • Cost estimation and developing budgets and resource plan for project or programme • Preparation of project or programme plan and planning activities and resource allocation against that plan; • Monitoring progress of projects or programmes against agreed timeline and budget while ensuring delivery of a quality service; • Identification and analysis of project and programme risks and suitable mitigation measures; • Organising and motivation of project team; and • Working with project sponsor, project board and other stakeholders, reporting on progress and seeking decisions as required. Lot 12: Contract Procurement and Management Support – Subject Matter Expert Experienced individuals are required to support various new and on-going projects and operational management associated with Lot 6 of this Framework. These individuals are to be leaders and considered subject matter experts in the area of Public Transport Service Design. The Authority anticipates that under this Lot 12 there would be a need for specific skillsets requiring prior ‘hands on’ experience. The need for these resources may not be continuous, and the number of resources and the skill sets required onsite with the Authority shall vary according to the nature of the projects and tasks being carried out, as determined by the Authority. Individuals should have significant experience in either one or more of the following areas: • Drafting of public transport contract documents, and in particular supporting technical schedules including service level specifications, vehicles specifications, performance standards, pricing and payment schedules; • Drafting of tender documents including pre-qualification questionnaires and requests for tender; • Participation in the tender evaluation and award process for competitively tendered public transport contracts; • Negotiating aspects of public transport operating contracts or contract variations with public transport operators to ensure procurement of high quality services at best value for money; • Monitoring contract performance and costs, and reporting to the public transport contracts team as required; and • Writing technical notes and attending meetings with operators and Authority staff as required.