Extension of Revenue Collection Contract ("RCC") with Cubic

Tender description

In 2014, after a competitive tender, TfL entered into the RCC with Cubic Transportation Systems Ltd ("Cubic") for an initial term of 7 years, starting 17 August 2015, with an option to extend for a further 3 years. TfL exercised that option in 2017 and the RCC is now due to expire on 16 August 2025. TfL is in the pre-tender stages of retendering the RCC services. Given the complexity and importance of these services and the time required to complete the competitive tender and handover, and the numerous contingent factors which could delay this process, including anticipated delays in completing the replacement card reader roll-out programme, TfL considers that the RCC needs to be extended by one year, until 16 August 2026 ("Extension") in order to give sufficient flexibility and certainty that these contingent programme risks can be managed appropriately. As explained at IV.1.1 below, TfL considers that the Extension benefits from the exemption in Reg. 88(1)(b) UCR. Lot 1: As noted at II.1.4) above, in August 2015, pursuant to a competitive tender process, TfL entered into the RCC with Cubic. Cubic was awarded the RCC for an initial term of seven years, commencing 17 August 2015, with an option to extend for a further three years. TfL exercised that option in 2017 and the RCC is now due to expire on 16 August 2025. TfL is in the pre-tender stages of its project to retender (via a competitive dialogue) the RCC revenue collection services following expiry of the RCC ("Project Proteus"). Given the complexity and importance to TfL and the travelling public of the revenue collection services and the time required to structure, launch and complete the competitive tender and handover for Project Proteus, and taking into account the numerous contingent factors which could delay Project Proteus, including anticipated delays in completing the replacement card reader roll-out programme (discussed further below), TfL considers that the Extension is needed in order to give sufficient flexibility and certainty that these contingent programme risks can be managed appropriately. The current card readers (which were installed around 2010) are now reaching their end of design life, which creates asset management and revenue risk which would otherwise be unpalatable to TfL and potentially unacceptable to newcomer bidders. It is important for the competitiveness of the Proteus tender to ensure that there is a demonstrably working card reader which the successful bidder can inherit and operate (at least for the bus element of the Proteus procurement, with options available for the installation of the less time-critical rail element). By giving TfL enough time to work with Cubic under the RCC to design, manufacture and complete bus (but not rail) rollout of the new reader, TfL can demonstrate to newcomer bidders that these risks are appropriately mitigated. As explained at sections IV.1.1 [and VI.3] below, TfL considers that the Extension benefits from the exemption for "additional services" in Regulation 88(1)(b) of the UCR. This exemption allows for the non-competitive procurement of additional services that have become necessary, where a change of contractor cannot be made for economic or technical reasons and where such a change would cause significant inconvenience or duplication of costs.