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Future Bus Systems 2 - Bus Contracts Management System solution

Transport for London

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Aug 2026 at 09:27

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

17 May 2026 at 19:59

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

16 Dec 2025 at 21:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Dec 2025 at 08:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London intends to procure a replacement Bus Contract Management System (BCMS), a business-critical technology solution for managing contractual payments to bus operators. The existing system has been part of the TfL estate for more than 20 years, and the project is exploring its replacement. The requirement is for IT services covering consulting, software development, internet and support services (CPV 72000000). The service will support TfL’s bus contract management activities and associated payment processes. Delivery is expected across England, including London and the English regions from the North East and North West through the Midlands to the South West. This is a single technology services requirement managed by Transport for London.

This procurement is at the planning stage: TfL has announced its intention to procure and there is no invitation to tender at this stage. The planned procurement status is active in preparation, with the tender notice and invitation-to-tender pack expected to be issued to the market on 30 March 2027. The buyer expects the contract to run from 1 July 2028 to 30 June 2038, with a possible extension or renewal period reaching 31 March 2047. The procedure is expected to use the Procurement Act 2023. There is one lot, and the requirement is below the relevant threshold. TfL has undertaken preliminary market engagement, including an industry day covering the opportunity, the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, the process, requirements and questions.

The requirement is suited to technology suppliers able to provide consulting, software development, internet and ongoing support for a business-critical contract management platform. Firms should be prepared to demonstrate capability in replacing or modernising long-established systems and supporting processes that underpin payments to bus operators. The buyer has indicated that the solution will need to support important contractual and financial operations, so suppliers with relevant experience of reliable, operationally critical business systems are likely to be well placed when the procurement reaches the market. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, widening the potential field beyond large technology providers. Suppliers should monitor the planned procurement and prepare for the future PSQ and tender process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Future Bus Systems 2 - Bus Contracts Management System solution

Notice Description

P&C Technology ref: ICT14223 - The project was established in Autumn 2022 to explore a replacement of the current BCMS (Bus Contract Management Solution). The solution had been on the TfL estate for twenty (20) plus years. The BCMS Solution is classed as Business Critical and is responsible for all contractual payments to Bus Operators.

Planning Information

To support supplier preparation for the Bus Contract Management System Transport for London will host an Industry Day as part of preliminary market engagement. Please NOTE: Transport for London previously published a notice under PCR2015: T01: Prior Information Notice for Public Service Contract Notice Identifier: 2024/S 000-002777. This Industry Day builds on that earlier engagement and provides updated information aligned with the new Procurement Act. The Industry Day will provide: • An overview of the upcoming procurement opportunity. • Guidance on the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and process. • A Q&A session to clarify requirements. Attendance is voluntary and will not influence the formal evaluation process. Prior to the event, TfL will require all participants to sign a confidentiality agreement, which will be provided once attendance is confirmed. To ensure fairness, all event materials and a consolidated Q&A will be published on the Central Digital Platform following the session Event Title: Future Bus System 2 Industry Day Date: Friday 13th February 2026 Time: 9am-5pm Format: In-person Venue: Palaestra House, Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 9JU Purpose: Overview of requirements, Q&A, and guidance and the procurement timeline Registration Please send an email to FBS2ProcurementandCommercial@tfl.gov.uk confirming the following details; *Contact details: Name, Surname, Company and contact email address *Name, Surname, Company of all attendees * any additional requirements, Deadline to Register Friday 6th February 2026 Notes Published to the central digital Platform: Friday 27th February 2026 (Estimated) Notes • Presentation slides and a consolidated Q&A will be published on the Central Digital Platform after the event. • No supplier will gain an unfair advantage; information shared will be made equally available to all. • Suppliers may submit clarification questions to FBS2ProcurementandCommercial@tfl.gov.uk by Friday 6th February 2026 • When registering please let us know If you have any additional requirements-such as accessibility needs, technical arrangements, or other considerations so we can make the necessary provisions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f632
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080157-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Mar 20278 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2028 - 1 Jul 2038 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
Transport for London
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JN
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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