Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Trams Control System Renewal Programme

Transport for London

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

23 Jul 2025 at 14:33

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

01 May 2025 at 15:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London is in the tender stage of the Trams Control System Renewal Programme, aimed at overhauling the control systems across the London tram network. The procurement, tagged under the industry categories of communications equipment, railway and tramway technology, and construction works, focuses on works and services within the UK. As the primary buying organization, Transport for London is managing the procurement through its subsidiary, Tramtrack Croydon Limited. The tender follows a competitive flexible procedure, and essential deadlines include an Expression of Interest deadline set for 5th September 2025. The tender process is being facilitated electronically through TfL's e-Tendering portal, SAP Ariba.

This tender presents multiple opportunities for businesses within the communications and transport sector to collaborate with a major public authority. Companies with expertise in system design, delivery, maintenance, and support services for complex transport systems will be well-positioned to compete. The contracts will cover both the implementation of a new control system and ongoing maintenance, with potential long-term engagement options extending up to 20 years. The focus on technical, social value, and commercial criteria highlights a balanced approach to evaluation, catering to companies that offer innovative and sustainable solutions. Businesses proficient in providing state-of-the-art infrastructure with capabilities for further enhancements will find this opportunity particularly attractive.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Trams Control System Renewal Programme

Notice Description

The London Trams Control system was originally installed in the late 1990s when the system was constructed and comprised two distinct elements: 1. The Trams Management System (TMS), installed in the depot at Therapia Lane and comprises software and hardware components responsible for taking information from equipment across the tram network and providing status and control capabilities to control room operational and maintenance staff. The TMS additionally performs a SCADA function, including software and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) at the various traction power supply substations positioned across the network. 2. The Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) installed at various locations around the tram network, provide autonomous local decision making and control of aspects of the signalling and control system. Communication between these elements is provided by a distributed fibre-optic communications system. The PLCs are original equipment and have been in use since the inauguration of the network at the turn of the century. The TMS is a more recent installation having been replaced in 2014. Both parts of the control system contain elements that are becoming obsolete and nearing life expiry. TfL is therefore procuring the design, delivery and implementation of a replacement system to encompass the full control system requirements, replacing the existing TMS, RTUs and PLCs. The requirement will also cover ongoing maintenance and support services. The procurement is for award of two contracts to the same supplier, one for the design, delivery and implementation of the replacement system, and one for the ongoing maintenance and support services. The maintenance contract will commence following the implementation of the replacement system, on a minimum term of five years and an option to extend for the life of the system. The estimated 7-year contract duration entered covers the estimated duration of the system replacement (est. 2 years) and initial maintenance term (5 years), with the option to extend the maintenance services for up to a further 15 years (covering the expected system life of 20 years total). The contracting entity for this procurement will be Tramtrack Croydon Limited, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Transport for London.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The maintenance and support services contract shall allow for enhancement and renewal support to meet future network demand and asset management strategy.

Renewal: The maintenance and support services contract includes options to extend the contract for the life of the system.

Planning Information

TfL issued a 'F01: Prior information notice' on Find a Tender Service on 19th January 2024. This was published under the Utilities Contract Regulation 2016. Interested parties responding to this notice were issued a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) with a deadline for completion by 13th March 2024 for feedback to be considered. The scope of the MSQ covered: Interest Capability and experience Need for sub-contracting Existing software/hardware availability Contracting approach Engineering challenges, technical and commercial risk Maintenance and support Innovation Sessions were subsequently held with respondees assessed as having the capability and experience for the scope of works based on their MSQ responses. Each session further explored the responses to the MSQ questions. The market sounding confirmed adequate interest and capability to progress this procurement. The scope of this procurement has not changed as a result of the engagement, though clarity is now provided that the procurement will encompass the requirement for ongoing maintenance and support services. In addition, it is confirmed that the design, delivery and installation of the replacement system will be on a fixed price basis. TfL is not seeking further engagement prior to the Tender Notice being issued, but requests interested suppliers take note of revised procurement timeframes, with the Tender Notice now planned for publication in July 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050baa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042411-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

32570000 - Communications equipment

34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

45230000 - Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£24,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£24,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Transport for London
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JN
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...