Professional Support for Sustainable Transport Projects

Tender description

To provide technical advice and support for Transport Scotland’s sustainable transport (primarily bus and active travel) infrastructure funding, including the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) and Bus Infrastructure Fund (BIF). ATIF provides capital funding directly to Local Authorities (LAs), Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and National Park Authorities working in partnership with Transport Scotland to deliver active travel infrastructure schemes across Scotland. BIF provides capital funding directly to Local Authorities and RTPs, working in partnership with Bus Operators, to deliver bus infrastructure schemes across Scotland. ATIF is part of a wider transformation in the delivery of active travel in Scotland which sees the introduction of a more direct relationship between Transport Scotland and those funded via ATIF. To provide technical advice and support for the delivery of sustainable transport projects at various stages of development. This includes offering guidance on business cases and Strategic Transport Appraisal Guidance studies, feasibility, design, ensuring compliance with standards, managing risks, reviewing projects for value for money, advising on materials and placemaking aspects, promoting active travel, supporting the achievement of sustainability goals and assessing projects for future funding. The Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) identifies a number of sustainable transport intervention recommendations for active travel, bus and integration. As such, we are seeking to facilitate the delivery of place-based sustainable transport infrastructure on a holistic, rather than mode-specific, basis to more effectively and efficiently develop and deliver sustainable transport interventions and their outcomes. Lot 1: Provide the services of suitably qualified and experienced staff and others to assist in the development and delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure; To assist in the management of the assessment of applications, including technical assessment, and prioritisation of grant funded sustainable transport projects. Assist with technical support to manage and evolve sustainable transport infrastructure fund(s), including the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund and Bus Infrastructure Fund, to efficiently and effectively deliver sustainable transport infrastructure in line with policy. Liaise with delivery partners to check the status of sustainable transport infrastructure plans and projects and to understand and scrutinise the level of business case development that has been undertaken, stakeholder support, design, delivery risks, relevant approvals etc. required to bring projects forward for delivery as required. To assist in providing technical input specific to the project or programme required for preparing Grant Offer Letters, enabling delivery partners to develop and deliver sustainable transport infrastructure. Assist in providing delivery partners with feedback on applications and share lessons learned with Transport Scotland from any engagement sessions held with relevant delivery partners. Assessment of projects, including the technical review of business cases, governance arrangements (including risk) and other technical evidence for sustainable transport infrastructure, and evaluation of delivery partners. Assist with the undertaking of capacity and capability assessment of delivery partners’ ability to develop and deliver sustainable transport infrastructure and associated behaviour change programmes. Assist in the development of tools to measure and report the benefits/effectiveness of sustainable transport projects. Facilitate Scottish Government Gateway Review Team assessments as required and provide technical support at assurance gateways. Assist with the monitoring and evaluation of sustainable transport infrastructure projects. Assist in monitoring the effectiveness of the operation of funds, recommending improvements including structure and distribution methodologies as required. To bring specialist active travel and bus, engineering and transport planning expertise to the above. Advise and assist in the migration and/or development of a robust GIS database for sustainable transport projects throughout their project lifecycles, alongside the management and maintenance of these. To assist in the reporting of sustainable transport infrastructure projects, including via Transport Scotland’s internal and external Governance processes. Where required to assist in the inspection and review of sustainable transport infrastructure.