Planning

Central AVL system (CAVL) Pre Market Engagement

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Oct 2025 at 15:16

Summary of the contracting process

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a new Central AVL system (CAVL), aimed at enhancing bus franchising operations. The initiative, titled "Central AVL system (CAVL) Pre Market Engagement," falls under the services category and is situated in Liverpool, UKD72 region. This project is crucial as the Authority prepares to manage the full bus network by the end of 2027. A critical deadline is the 31st October 2025, marking the end of the pre-market engagement period, with a contract period starting from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2030. Interested suppliers are encouraged to register their interest and provide feedback through the Proactis portal to help shape the future procurement specifications.

This tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in real-time operating system software development, electronic ticketing, and AVL technology to expand their market presence. SMEs, in particular, may find this procurement process aligned with their capabilities, providing a pathway for growth and collaboration. The CAVL system will require a robust, cloud-based solution for real-time data integration and monitoring, suitable for companies experienced with transport equipment and data integration. By engaging early in the planning process, businesses can position themselves as leading candidates to influence the advancement of transportation systems within the Liverpool region.

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Notice Title

Central AVL system (CAVL) Pre Market Engagement

Notice Description

LCRCA is preparing for the introduction of bus franchising, starting in September 2026 with the full LCR bus network being franchised by the end of 2027, the LCRCA will directly manage network design, operational performance and operator payments. A Central AVL system (CAVL) is needed to act as the single source of truth for vehicle tracking, punctuality and network performance monitoring. The system will need to be fully tested and deployed prior to the end of May 2026 CAVL will consolidate data from multiple sources - including Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs), on-bus static AVL units and SIRI feeds - to produce consistent and accurate real-time information for passenger systems and performance analytics for both LCRCA and operators. The CAVL system will underpin the LCRCA's franchising and customer delivery framework. It must be cloud-based, secure and capable of handling data from all franchised operators, with configurable outputs for real-time information, punctuality and contractual performance. Core functions include: * Punctuality monitoring - covering both start point (PM1) and intermediate points (PM2) as part of the bus franchising customer delivery framework. * Real-time monitoring of vehicle location (including live map), speed, headway, dwell time and journey times * Acting as the authoritative AVL data source for all franchised operators. * Managing disruptions and disruption messaging * Ingesting AVL data from both ETMs and static AVL units * Ensuring consistent GPS accuracy and refresh rates across operators. * Validating schedules using TXC files to identify early, late, on-time and missed mileage * Generating punctuality, reliability and Excess Waiting Time (EWT) KPIs. * Providing operator-specific access controls so that each operator can only view and report on its own data. * Offering open APIs and data feeds for integration with real-time passenger information systems and journey planners. * Delivering configurable dashboards and reporting tools for both operators and LCRCA. * Supporting integration with the future Contract Management and Payment Calculator System Suppliers are invited to express their interest in receiving further details about this potential future procurement by opting in via the Proactis portal. As part of this engagement, suppliers should review the pre-market engagement brief and submit the requested information. In particular, we are seeking your views on how your systems could meet LCRCA's requirements, including: * Technical feasibility of your proposed solution * Deployment approach, with consideration for meeting delivery timescales * Ongoing support and maintenance arrangements Your input will help shape the specification and ensure the procurement reflects market capability. To respond to this pre market engagement please go to: https://procontract.due-north.com/ if you are registered or register at: https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register You will then be able to search for the project name: Central AVL system (CAVL) Pre Market Engagement or the project reference number: DN794680 You will then be able to follow the directions to register your interest and submit the requested.

Planning Information

To respond to this pre market engagement please go to: https://procontract.due-north.com/ if you are registered or register at: https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register You will then be able to search for the project name: Central AVL system (CAVL) Pre Market Engagement or the project reference number: DN794680 You will then be able to follow the directions to register your interest and submit the requested.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cf30
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066461-2025
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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


CPV Codes

30144200 - Ticket-issuing machines

30144300 - Vehicle-counting machines

33952000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

72212670 - Real time operating system 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
17 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
TLD72 Liverpool

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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