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Upgrade of Payment Validators (Pvals), associated software and integration services.

NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2025 at 13:28

Award

28 Jun 2025 at 15:48

Summary of the contracting process

This contracting process, initiated by Northern Trains Limited, pertains to the upgrade of payment validators, associated software, and integration services into the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Bee Network. It falls under the industry category of goods, specifically targeting ticket-validation machines. The procurement method was limited, due to technical reasons and exclusive intellectual property rights, and did not require prior publication of a call for competition. The contract, awarded on 5th August 2025, involves work across multiple regions including UKC, UKD, UKE, and UKF, with the focus on integrating payment systems compatible with EMV transactions into the existing infrastructure, thereby facilitating account-based ticketing for Northern Trains Limited, TransPenine Trains Limited, and First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in industry-specific software development and integration services, as well as those capable of providing technical solutions for transport systems. Companies with expertise in EMV-compatible transactions, software commissioning, and intellectual property management are particularly well-suited to compete, given the nature of the technical requirements and the emphasis on exclusive rights. The involvement of major rail services providers and utilities in Northern England indicates a robust demand for innovative technologies and integration solutions, fostering potential expansion and positioning in the transport sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Upgrade of Payment Validators (Pvals), associated software and integration services.

Notice Description

Upgrade of Payment Validators (Pvals), associated software and integration into the into the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Bee Network (Phase 1). The contract will upgrade existing Pval equipment and software to allow payment transactions to integrate into the TfGM Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) scheme.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Upgrade of Payment Validators (PVals) and associated software to allow EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) transactions. This will integrate into the into the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Bee Network (Phase 1). The contract will upgrade existing ATG equipment and software to allow payment transactions to integrate into the TfGM Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) scheme. The activities will include as minimum: * Software development. * Upgrade of PVals to accept contactless EMV physical and virtual cards on devices alongside existing fare media * Deployment of a supplier middle office. * Integration from the supplier middle office to the TfGM Secure Middle Office (SMO). * PCI certification. * Commissioning of devices for use at various stations on the operating network of Northern Trains Limited 'NTL', TransPenine Trains Limited 'TPT', and First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited 'Avanti'

Procurement Information

Award a contract directly as this approach is allowed under the UCR's where restrictions on the use of IPR do not trigger a requirement to conduct a new OJEU-compliant tender process. We believe in this circumstance the following is applicable: There are grounds where NTL as public body could award a subsequent contract to a third party using the exemptions in Regulation 50 of the UCR. This exemption is provided for under the UCR Regulation 50(1)(c) which allows Utilities to award a contract where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier because competition is absent for technical reasons and where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. The supplier owns copyright and the IPR in all the software. The absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05557e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046170-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

30123100 - Ticket-validation machines

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Jun 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Robin Horsman
Contact Email
robin.horsman@northernrailway.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 7827937566

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Post Town
York
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England)

Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VIX TECHNOLOGY

Further Information

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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