Tender

Metrolink Operations and Maintenance

TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

30 Jul 2025 at 11:04

Planning

15 May 2025 at 14:50

Planning

24 Apr 2025 at 09:24

Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has initiated the tender process for a significant contract regarding the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance, a vital component of Greater Manchester's public transport network. This procurement falls under the services category, with additional works included, and operates within the utilities special regime. Located in Manchester, this procurement process invites expressions of interest by 24 September 2025, with enquiries concluding on 10 September 2025. The tender employs a selective procurement method under a competitive flexible procedure, adhering to the guidelines set out in the Procurement Act 2023. The contract, valued at approximately £1.9 billion, is set to commence in July 2027 and will span up to 11 years, contingent on extension options.

This tender presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses specialising in public transport services, construction work, and maintenance. Companies with experience in managing large-scale public transport operations and those adept in asset management and expansion projects will find considerable prospects for growth. As TfGM seeks a skilled operator to support potential expansion projects, this opportunity extends to companies capable of integrating new stops, control systems, and infrastructure developments. This aligns with strategic business development for entities focusing on energy management, railway-track inspection, and related management services, offering a comprehensive engagement with one of the UK’s prominent light rail networks.

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Notice Title

Metrolink Operations and Maintenance

Notice Description

The Metrolink Tram System is the backbone of the Bee Network , Greater Manchester's integrated public transport network, and is of strategic importance to the economy of Greater Manchester, providing fast and frequent links across the region for employment, leisure and tourism. The Metrolink assets comprise a fleet of 147 trams, over 100 km of track and overhead line, 99 stops, 2 depots and growing patronage of over 46 million passenger journeys per annum (March 2025). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK. Operation and management of the system is currently undertaken via one major contract let by TfGM. The maintenance and operations obligations for Metrolink are included within the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) with the current contract ending in July 2027. Selecting the best provider of operation and maintenance services is critical to TfGM's continued success in the coming decade. The value of the operations and maintenance services is expected to be in the order of PS1.9 billion over 11 years, with a potential to instruct additional capital works. This notice is intended to inform potential tenderers that TfGM are now formally commencing the procurement process to appoint an operation and maintenance provider for 2027 onwards, and provide a timeline for the procurement. The procurement will follow a 2 stage process under the competitive flexible procedure with an initial Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage from which a maximum of four tenderers will be progressed to the tender stage. Full details are provided within the PSQ, draft contract and draft Invitation to Negotiate (ITN ) which are freely and electronically available via the linked Pro Contract e Portal. The successful tenderer, as an experienced operator and maintainer will also support TfGM in their procurement and delivery of Expansion Projects to the Metrolink System including new stops and new trams, new control systems and the development of future extensions. The successful tenderer will be responsible for delivering a step change in asset management that maximises the life of the existing assets and maximises the capacity of the services delivered with the existing assets.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Service patterns and Capital works - Further and full detail will be provided within the procurement documentation once the process commences.

Renewal: Optional extension of up to three years following initial seven years. Two emergency one year extension options, one after the initial seven years or one after the three year optional extension. Further and full detail are provided within the procurement documentation - draft ITN and draft contract . (Total maximum 11 years)

Planning Information

TfGM's current Metrolink Operating and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) is nearing the end of its term, July 2027, as such TfGM are exploring options to procure a contracting partner for the network from July 2027. This involves conducting lessons learned on the current arrangements, highlighting successes and areas for improvement, while addressing the growing demands of Greater Manchester. This Market Sounding exercise will allow for a better understanding of the marketplace's capabilities in delivering the MOMA 2027 requirements.(Further detail is within the questionnaire) We anticipate that this market sounding exercise will follow the below sequence: • This preliminary market engagement notice (PME UK2) issued on 15th May 2025 via the Central Digital Platform and registered on ProContract DN772396. • This market engagement - Interested parties will need to express interest via ProContract and request the Market Engagement Documentation. https://procontract.due-north.com Project reference DN772396 Please use the messaging function within the project to confirm interest, documentation will be sent via this route. (If not already registered on Pro Contract you will need to register to access the project - registration is free). • Initially TfGM are holding a market engagement event on Tuesday 10th June in Manchester, (10am - 12noon). Interested parties may apply for a maximum of 3 places per supplier. Capacity is limited and will be restricted to potential bidders only. The event will be recorded and available online shortly afterwards. • Applications to attend the market engagement event must be received via the messaging function on Pro Contract by 1pm on Friday 23rd of May 2025. TfGM will confirm acceptance via this route and provide further event detail. • TfGM will, by Wednesday 28 May 2025, confirm the attendance list via ProContract. • Following an expression of interest through ProContract, TfGM will send, via ProContract, the Market Sounding Document and flyer. These documents contain background information of the opportunity, detailed information on the market engagement event and the market sounding questionnaire. • Suppliers expressing interest in this opportunity are requested to complete and return the market engagement questionnaire via the messaging function of Pro Contract by 5pm Friday 13th June 2025. • Suppliers responding to the questionnaire will be invited to an individual 1-hour online discussion with TfGM, to take place before Monday 30th June 2025.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0506c2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044209-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

60112000 - Public road transport services

60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

60210000 - Public transport services by railways

71314200 - Energy-management services

71540000 - Construction management services

71631470 - Railway-track inspection services

79420000 - Management-related services

98351000 - Car park management services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
£1,600,000,000 £1B-£10B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
17 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
24 Jul 2027 - 24 Jul 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
Additional Buyers

DLA PIPER UK LLP

NORTHSTAR CONSULTANCY LIMITED

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
enquiries@northstarconsultancy.com, governmenttenders@dlapiper.com, procurement@tfgm.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 3BG
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Farringdon Within
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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