Notice Information
Notice Title
P-3265 Bus Real Time & Supporting Services
Notice Description
Translink seek to engage with suppliers that can provide a suitable solution for a comprehensive Real-Time Bus tracking, prediction generation, operational and historical monitoring, display content and management solution across its Metro and Ulsterbus Fleet (c. 1660 buses). The solution will be used by Bus Service Operators to effectively monitor and manage Bus fleet related operations in real time as well as Passenger Information and Communication throughout Northern Ireland. Translink require the system to be capable of interfacing with on-street and on-board non-proprietary hardware through RTIG-T047 protocol, ensuring the provision of RTPI on existing Metro, Glider, and Ulsterbus services continues without interruption. Additionally, suppliers will be required to provide all necessary maintenance services. Before embarking on a tender process, we wish to engage with the marketplace to gather information which will be used to inform the sourcing strategy for this contract and thus, the procurement process. We are therefore seeking to engage with experienced Real Time Passenger Information and associated providers, which are capable of fulfilling the requirements listed above. It is anticipated that this contract will commence Q2 2027. Our requirements include, but are not limited to the following: * An open data approach to enable integration to ensure interoperability with other client systems to enhance data flow and automate manual processes. * Integrate with future systems and journey planners. * Provide comprehensive maintenance services for on-street and on-board hardware. * Ensure minimal quantity and frequency of faults and maintain the serviceability of the system. * Fleet Management & Live Vehicle Tracking. * Provide a predictive analysis solution that can support decision-making for control room staff * Driver Interface & Public Address system for Glider. * Performance and Management Reporting. * Provide drivers with intelligence on service performance and communication options. * Provide accurate and timely information about bus arrivals and departures at stops. * Provide on street display content management services. * Facilitate automated audio-visual next stop announcements on vehicles, configurable to multiple languages and tailored branded graphics. * Improve disruption management including passenger messaging. * Support future methods for providing information to passengers. * Implement a solution compatible with RTIG national standards for Traffic Signal Priority.
Planning Information
Translink will issue a Pre Market Engagement questionnaire and invite suitable companies to present during October 2025. Requests to participate AND for copies of the Pre Market Engagement questionnaire please email Tori.Croft@Translink.co.uk
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-059d6a
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057813-2025
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Framework
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Not specified
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
48 - Software package and information systems
-
- CPV Codes
34121000 - Buses and coaches
48100000 - Industry specific software package
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £5,000,000 £1M-£10M
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 18 Sep 20255 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 1 Sep 20267 months to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2027 - 1 Apr 2032 Over 5 years
- 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
- TRANSLINK
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- tori.croft@translink.co.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- BELFAST
- Postcode
- BT2 7LX
- Post Town
- Northern Ireland
- Country
- Northern Ireland
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLN Northern Ireland
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLN0 Northern Ireland
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLN06 Belfast
- Delivery Location
- TLN Northern Ireland
-
- Local Authority
- Belfast
- Electoral Ward
- Central
- Westminster Constituency
- Belfast South and Mid Down
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057813-2025
18th September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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