Award

Bus Franchising Contract Management System

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

09 Mar 2026 at 10:47

Award

17 Feb 2026 at 11:57

TenderUpdate

10 Dec 2025 at 07:58

Tender

08 Dec 2025 at 09:49

Planning

21 Aug 2025 at 07:16

Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has awarded a contract for a Bus Franchising Contract Management System as part of its plan to implement bus franchising across the region. The procurement process, conducted via an open procedure, has now reached the award stage with netBI Pty Ltd as the successful supplier. The contract was signed on 6 March 2026, and the system is expected to be operational by 6 September 2026, to coincide with the commencement of the franchised bus services. The contract is valued at £1,032,000 and covers services in Liverpool, with provisions for an optional renewal of up to two additional 12-month periods. The system will handle data-driven contract management, payments, and performance monitoring, ensuring consistent service quality and customer experience.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for firms specialising in IT services, including software development and data management, particularly those capable of offering modern, cloud-based solutions. The opportunity is well-suited for SMEs seeking to establish themselves in the public sector market, offering innovative solutions for transportation networks. Businesses with expertise in data analytics, cloud computing, and service management can significantly benefit from engaging with public authorities such as LCRCA, thus enhancing their portfolio and demonstrating the capability to deliver large-scale digital transformation projects. Businesses compliant with ISO27001 or Cyber Essentials Plus standards and those advocating for operational efficiency and service quality in transportation can leverage this to further business growth.

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

Notice Title

Bus Franchising Contract Management System

Notice Description

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is preparing to implement bus franchising across the region, with the first franchised services scheduled to commence on 6 September 2026. As part of this transformation, LCRCA requires a robust, scalable and data-driven approach to contract management, payments and performance monitoring, with the system required to provide consistent, high-quality data across all operators, routes and reporting periods. LCRCA requires a modern, cloud-based, fully auditable system that delivers end-to-end management of franchise contracts and ensures accurate, repeatable and reliable calculation of operator payments. The CMS and PPC (Payment Performance Calculator) must give LCRCA and franchise operators a clear, shared view of live performance, contractual obligations, lost mileage, variations, KPI outcomes and payment adjustments. The solution must reduce manual intervention, increase operational efficiency, and support the delivery of a consistent, region-wide performance framework that helps improve service quality, reliability and customer experience.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Authority may request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms for two periods of up to 12 months' each.

Planning Information

LCRCA will be hosting an online 60-minute presentation session via Teams for interested suppliers between Tuesday 9 September and Wednesday 10 September. LCRCA will present a slideshow for approx. 15mins, outlining the requirement and the expected quality levels we are looking for from bidders, with the remaining session time available for interested suppliers to ask questions. Interested suppliers should confirm their attendance to the presentation session to Martin.McLoughlin@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk and Karl.Bradbury@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk by no later than midday on Friday 5 September 2025; following which they will be sent an invite to the presentation session. A Q&A sheet capturing the discussion, and the presentation slides will be shared as part of the tender documentation for suppliers unable to attend the session.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058bbf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020773-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£680,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£680,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£1,392,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,032,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
3 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
16 Feb 20262 months ago
Contract Period
9 Mar 2026 - 8 Mar 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION 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
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD7 Merseyside

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NETBI

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-058bbf-2026-03-09T10:47:02Z",
    "date": "2026-03-09T10:47:02Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058bbf",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNDZ-8253-CJJM",
            "name": "Liverpool City Region Combined Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNDZ-8253-CJJM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Mann Island",
                "locality": "Liverpool",
                "postalCode": "L3 1BP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD72"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PTHR-3778-DQNP",
            "name": "netBI Pty Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PTHR-3778-DQNP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Suite 2A, Level 2, 143 Coronation Drive",
                "locality": "Milton QLD",
                "postalCode": "4064",
                "country": "AU",
                "countryName": "Australia",
                "region": "AU"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "tenders@netbi.com.au"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://netbi.com.au",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PNDZ-8253-CJJM",
        "name": "Liverpool City Region Combined Authority"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "LCRCA will be hosting an online 60-minute presentation session via Teams for interested suppliers between Tuesday 9 September and Wednesday 10 September. LCRCA will present a slideshow for approx. 15mins, outlining the requirement and the expected quality levels we are looking for from bidders, with the remaining session time available for interested suppliers to ask questions. Interested suppliers should confirm their attendance to the presentation session to Martin.McLoughlin@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk and Karl.Bradbury@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk by no later than midday on Friday 5 September 2025; following which they will be sent an invite to the presentation session. A Q&A sheet capturing the discussion, and the presentation slides will be shared as part of the tender documentation for suppliers unable to attend the session.",
                "dueDate": "2025-09-05T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "050360-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050360-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-21T08:16:05+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "DN799484",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Bus Franchising Contract Management System",
        "description": "Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is preparing to implement bus franchising across the region, with the first franchised services scheduled to commence on 6 September 2026. As part of this transformation, LCRCA requires a robust, scalable and data-driven approach to contract management, payments and performance monitoring, with the system required to provide consistent, high-quality data across all operators, routes and reporting periods. LCRCA requires a modern, cloud-based, fully auditable system that delivers end-to-end management of franchise contracts and ensures accurate, repeatable and reliable calculation of operator payments. The CMS and PPC (Payment Performance Calculator) must give LCRCA and franchise operators a clear, shared view of live performance, contractual obligations, lost mileage, variations, KPI outcomes and payment adjustments. The solution must reduce manual intervention, increase operational efficiency, and support the delivery of a consistent, region-wide performance framework that helps improve service quality, reliability and customer experience.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72000000",
                        "description": "IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD7",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD7",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD7",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 816000,
            "amount": 680000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2033-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 816000,
                    "amount": 680000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "The Qualitative Evaluation is as fully detailed in the '4. BFR CMS Procurement - Qualitative Evaluation' document. This also states Pass / Fail Criteria in relation to Essential Non-Functional CMS PPC Requirements.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "description": "To be stated within the issued '5. BFR CMS Procurement - Pricing Template'.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "The Qualitative Evaluation is as fully detailed in the '4. BFR CMS Procurement - Qualitative Evaluation' document. This also states Pass / Fail Criteria in relation to Essential Non-Functional CMS PPC Requirements.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "description": "To be stated within the issued '5. BFR CMS Procurement - Pricing Template'.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Conditions of participation are further described within the PSQ."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Conditions of participation are further described within the PSQ."
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Authority may request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms for two periods of up to 12 months' each."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-11-03T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Tender documents are hosted via the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=6940bed7-c6d1-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-12T11:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-06T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-02-19T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "080448-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080448-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-08T09:49:36Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "081276-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081276-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-10T07:58:38Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "081276-2025",
                "description": "Updated link to ProActis-hosted tender documents."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 4,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-02-16T00:00:00Z",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 1392000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PTHR-3778-DQNP",
                    "name": "netBI Pty Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72000000",
                            "description": "IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKD7",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKD7",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-02-26T23:59:59+00:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-03-10T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2031-03-09T23:59:59Z",
                "maxExtentDate": "2033-03-09T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "The Authority may, by giving the Supplier not less than 14 days' written notice prior to expiry of the Initial Term, request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms mutatis mutandis, for two periods of up to 12 months' each from the day following expiry of the Initial Term."
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "014240-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014240-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-02-17T11:57:55Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2026-02-17T00:00:00Z",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-03-09T23:59:59Z",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "title": "Bus Franchising Contract Management System",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2026-03-09T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2031-03-08T23:59:59Z",
                "maxExtentDate": "2033-03-08T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "The Authority may request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms for two periods of up to 12 months' each."
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 1032000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "dateSigned": "2026-03-06T00:00:00Z",
            "noAgreedMetricsRationale": "Contract value below PS5,000,000",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "020773-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020773-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-03-09T10:47:02Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}