Planning

Pre-Tender Market Engagement - Business Case Development (from OBC to FBC) for Project CASTLE

TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

22 Jul 2025 at 15:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 Jul 2025 at 12:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Tees Valley Combined Authority has commenced a procurement process under the planning stage for a project titled "Pre-Tender Market Engagement - Business Case Development (from OBC to FBC) for Project CASTLE". This initiative falls within the services category, specifically targeting research and development, and business consultancy services. The authority is located at Teesside International Airport, Darlington. Significant key dates include the pre-market engagement deadline set for 5 August 2025, with the estimated contract period commencing on 3 November 2025 for one year. This engagement seeks to explore the market's capabilities in producing a Green Book-compliant Business Case for establishing a Connected and Automated Mobility hub in Teesside.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in transport, logistics, and consultancy services, particularly those experienced in creating business cases for technologically innovative projects. Companies with expertise in connected and automated mobility systems, logistics, and passenger services are well-suited to compete. The procurement process encourages potential suppliers to demonstrate their capacities, discuss delivery models, and enhance the proposal's value, thereby positioning themselves for business expansion within the Northern England region. Potential growth opportunities are significant as this project aims to transform Tees Valley's mobility infrastructure, offering entrants a role in pioneering technological advancements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Pre-Tender Market Engagement - Business Case Development (from OBC to FBC) for Project CASTLE

Notice Description

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, seeks to engage the market through this Pre-Tender Market Engagement (PTME) exercise in preparation for the procurement of an impartial consultant to prepare and author a Green Book-compliant Business Case for Project CASTLE. The Connected Automated Strategic Teesside Logistics Ecosystem (CASTLE) project aims to drive technological and economic transformation across Tees Valley. Project CASTLE aims to deliver a step-change in regional passenger mobility, logistics, and innovation by establishing a Connected and Automated Mobility (CAMhub) at Teesside International Airport (TIA). This demonstrator site will serve as the foundation for proving Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) concepts, airside automation, and data-led operational innovation, with a view to regional deployment of CAMTrams (autonomous bus shuttles) into 5 town centres, (1 per local authority), which will enhance inclusive mobility across Tees Valley. This PTME aims to: * Understand the market's capability and appetite to deliver a Green Book-compliant Outline Business Case (OBC) trough to Full Business Case (FBC) for complex, CAM innovation-led transport projects. * Validate suppliers' experience in transport business case development, with a focus on connected & automated transport systems. * Assess market capacity, availability of specialist expertise (e.g. CAM, passenger services and logistics), and anticipated delivery timelines. * Explore indicative costs, delivery models, and dependencies-particularly relating to regulatory interfaces, stakeholder engagement (e.g. airport, DfT, CCAV), and cross-sector coordination. * Provide potential suppliers with the opportunity to raise queries, identify delivery risks, and suggest approaches that could enhance the specification or value for money of the commission. The final commission is expected to include development of the Outline Business Case through to Full Business Case, structured around HM Treasury's Five Case Model and aligned with Department for Transport and Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) guidance, where applicable. Please refer to the Pre-Tender Market Engagement documents for further detail. These can be found on the ProContract e-tendering portal: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=c212650f-f466-f011-813a-005056b64545 You will need to register as a supplier to gain access to the documentation. Registration is free.

Planning Information

To respond to this pre-market engagement request, you must be registered to use the ProContract e-tendering portal at: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=c212650f-f466-f011-813a-005056b64545 All completed responses must be submitted electronically via the portal using the submission template. Should you require assistance in relation to the e-tender portal, please contact Proactis Supplier Support either on-line at https://suppliersupport.proactisservicedesk.com, via email to ProContractSuppliers@proactis.com or call 0330 0050 352. Queries regarding this process and/or the content of this PTME should be submitted as clarification requests via the portal, no communication will be accepted via other means.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0563d2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042150-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Nov 2025 - 2 Nov 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL2 1NJ
Post Town
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
TLC1 Tees Valley and Durham
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Sadberge & Middleton St George
Westminster Constituency
Stockton West

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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