Planning

Transforming Real Time Passenger Information

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 12:50

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

30 Jul 2025 at 11:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is in the planning phase of a procurement process titled "Transforming Real Time Passenger Information", aimed at enhancing real-time passenger information across the region's bus network. This procurement involves appointing a provider to supply both hardware and software solutions, including Electronic Passenger Information (EPI) display screens and a new Content Management System. Located in Birmingham, UK, the projected procurement method is a competitive flexible procedure, with communications indicating a future notice expected on 29th April 2026. The contract period is planned to start on 1st October 2026 and run until 30th September 2036, highlighting the importance of this long-term investment in public transport technology for the region.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in transport technology and software solutions. It is particularly well-suited for companies that are experienced in developing display screen technology and real-time information systems. The procurement includes both goods and services categories, thus welcoming firms that provide hardware maintenance, consultancy support, or possess expertise in licencing systems. The comprehensive scope covering technological innovation and multifaceted maintenance support could catalyse growth for SMEs and larger enterprises seeking to expand their foothold in the UK transport infrastructure sector. The total value of the contract is estimated at around £8.84 million, indicating substantial potential for business growth and expansion.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Transforming Real Time Passenger Information

Notice Description

The Contract will appoint a single provider for both our hardware and software requirements for transforming Real Time Passenger Information (RTI) through Electronic Passenger Information (EPI) displays, which provide multi-modal real time passenger information across the region's bus network. The requirements are split into six distinct areas. One off purchase of a new Content Management System (CMS) One off purchase of 21 'Summary' Electronic Passenger information (EPI) display screens. Annual Licencing of CMS and its service & maintenance. Annual hardware maintenance including disposal, of TfWM's existing 673 EPI display screens and the 21 newly purchased 'Summary' EPI display Screens during the contract period. Ongoing provision and purchase of future hardware (EPI) display screens. Ongoing provision of Ad Hoc Consultancy support related to all WMCA RTPI hardware and software estate.

Planning Information

A previous Market engagement exercise was conducted under PQQ_202 “Transforming Real Time Information” project, under the Crown Commercial Services Framework RM6099 Transport Technology and Associated Services Lot 4 Transport Data and closed on the 03/01/2024 at 12:00:00 The purpose of which was to gain a greater understanding of the systems and solutions in the market and the possible technological developments that may have taken place over the last decade. WMCA planned to use the information gathered from this exercise to inform and help develop its specification of requirements and procurement strategy before approaching the market for a full procurement exercise. One requirement under the review is for a new system to manage content, primarily for electronic passenger information displays, but with the ambition for one system to manage the “presentation” of transport real-time information across a range of outputs. As part of the procurement process, WMCA was keen to understand what systems were already delivered and available on the market, given recent advances in creating standards for display interfaces. The responses provided did not form part of the formal procurement process but assisted in shaping the technical requirements for a subsequent tender. Due to unforeseen delays in the project, and the forthcoming expiry of the RM6099 Framework, the decision has been taken to use an competitive flexible procurement route for this project.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0568fa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035219-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

30231300 - Display screens

48813200 - Real-time passenger information system

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,840,666 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Apr 20265 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0568fa-2026-04-17T13:50:58+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-17T13:50:58+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0568fa",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PGMD-1353-PZVX",
            "name": "West Midlands Combined Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PGMD-1353-PZVX"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "16 Summer Lane",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B19 3SD",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement.team@wmca.org.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.WMCA.org.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PGMD-1353-PZVX",
        "name": "West Midlands Combined Authority"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "A previous Market engagement exercise was conducted under PQQ_202 \"Transforming Real Time Information\" project, under the Crown Commercial Services Framework RM6099 Transport Technology and Associated Services Lot 4 Transport Data and closed on the 03/01/2024 at 12:00:00 The purpose of which was to gain a greater understanding of the systems and solutions in the market and the possible technological developments that may have taken place over the last decade. WMCA planned to use the information gathered from this exercise to inform and help develop its specification of requirements and procurement strategy before approaching the market for a full procurement exercise. One requirement under the review is for a new system to manage content, primarily for electronic passenger information displays, but with the ambition for one system to manage the \"presentation\" of transport real-time information across a range of outputs. As part of the procurement process, WMCA was keen to understand what systems were already delivered and available on the market, given recent advances in creating standards for display interfaces. The responses provided did not form part of the formal procurement process but assisted in shaping the technical requirements for a subsequent tender. Due to unforeseen delays in the project, and the forthcoming expiry of the RM6099 Framework, the decision has been taken to use an competitive flexible procurement route for this project.",
                "dateMet": "2024-01-03T00:00:00+00:00",
                "status": "met"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "044242-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044242-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-07-30T12:50:58+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "035219-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035219-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-17T13:50:58+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "05052-2023",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Transforming Real Time Passenger Information",
        "description": "The Contract will appoint a single provider for both our hardware and software requirements for transforming Real Time Passenger Information (RTI) through Electronic Passenger Information (EPI) displays, which provide multi-modal real time passenger information across the region's bus network. The requirements are split into six distinct areas. One off purchase of a new Content Management System (CMS) One off purchase of 21 'Summary' Electronic Passenger information (EPI) display screens. Annual Licencing of CMS and its service & maintenance. Annual hardware maintenance including disposal, of TfWM's existing 673 EPI display screens and the 21 newly purchased 'Summary' EPI display Screens during the contract period. Ongoing provision and purchase of future hardware (EPI) display screens. Ongoing provision of Ad Hoc Consultancy support related to all WMCA RTPI hardware and software estate.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "30231300",
                        "description": "Display screens"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48813200",
                        "description": "Real-time passenger information system"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKG",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 10608799,
            "amount": 8840666,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "additionalProcurementCategories": [
            "services"
        ],
        "specialRegime": [
            "utilities"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2036-09-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2036-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-29T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planned",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure"
    },
    "language": "en"
}