Planning

ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Apr 2023 at 13:55

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a planning stage procurement process titled "ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest". This opportunity falls under the industry category of Public-service buses in the West Midlands region, with a key deadline for expressing interest by 16th May 2023.

This tender creates opportunities for businesses interested in supplying and operating zero-emission buses and related infrastructure. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete for this grant funding provided by the Department for Transport, which aims to support the transition to a net-zero carbon economy in the West Midlands region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest

Notice Description

The UK Government targets all sectors of the UK economy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The West Midlands aims to lead the green revolution and become a net zero carbon economy nearly a decade earlier in 2041. In support of these aims, the National Bus Strategy set out plans to support the purchase of 4,000 zero emission buses. The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme will provide funding to local transport authorities outside of London for this purpose as well as contribute to Department for Transport's (DfT) strategic priorities: grow and level up the economy, reduce environmental impacts and improve transport for the user. Through the ZEBRA scheme the DfT have made available up to PS30.4 million in the West Midlands to enable the procurement and deployment of 100 hydrogen fuel cell double deck buses as well as 24 articulated zero emission buses (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) to be used on the Sprint Bus Rapid Transit corridor. This funding will also support the procurement and installation of depot located charging infrastructure and/or hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) infrastructure within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area. To maximise the outcomes of the project including supporting the local hydrogen economy the fuel cell buses should use green (low carbon), locally produced hydrogen. An initial grant competition for this funding was completed in May 2022. However, a decision has been made to change several of the original grant conditions, namely: - Allowing fuel cell or battery electric solution for the 24 articulated buses. - Removing the deadline for all vehicles to be operational by Q1 2024. - Introducing a requirement for green hydrogen to be supplied from a source within the West Midlands region or adjacent local authority area. Given the materiality of these changes the WMCA is now seeking to understand what bus operators are interested and capable of using this grant funding to deliver all 124 buses and required infrastructure. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 16th May 2023 by way of a document (suggested 3-5 pages in length) responding to the following questions: - Please summarise your approach to delivering the project including; suggested vehicles make and model, bus depot location(s), HRS/ charging infrastructure and hydrogen supply solution? - Please summarise your approach to operating a battery articulated fleet (if being considered) including; service patterns, charging schedules and indicative total annual range capability of fleet? - Timeline for project delivery with key activities and interdependencies. - Previous experience of procuring and operating zero emission buses. - Evidence of engagement with capable suppliers In order to express your interest please do so via the WMCA's BravoSolution e-tendering portal (https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html), reference: pqq_179.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d16642c1-267f-4ffb-816b-f4b8db9fe834
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34121100 - Public-service buses

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 May 2023Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
West Midlands Combined Authority
Contact Email
procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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