Barcode Ticketing for London - Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ)

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Barcode Ticketing for London - Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ)

Notice Description

Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) relating to the future delivery of Barcode Ticketing across the TfL network. This engagement aims to gather insight on market capability, delivery approaches, commercial considerations, contracting models, and technical feasibility to help inform TfL's future strategy. TfL is now progressing the Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Barcode Ticketing. This notice follows the initial PME notice published on 23 January 2026 and the Supplier Briefing Event held on 4 February 2026. TfL will now be issuing the Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ), which will be available by email request. The MSQ contains no confidential content and is intended to gather supplier insight to inform TfL's early planning. It also provides further information on the MSQ process. In addition, TfL has prepared several technical appendices which contain operationally sensitive information (including architecture options, volumetrics, high level requirements, service model information and relevant ticketing specifications). These appendices will only be shared once a supplier has signed TfL's Confidentiality Agreement / NDA. This PME exercise is voluntary, non binding and does not form part of any formal procurement process. All engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of transparency, fairness, equal treatment and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023. 1.Introduction This Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) is issued by Transport for London (TfL) and seeks to obtain market feedback to inform TfL's thinking regarding a potential future procurement for Barcode Ticketing in London. Its primary focus is to better understand market interest, capacity and capability, and gather market feedback on risks and opportunities associated with the potential procurement of Barcode Ticketing in London. There is a shared ambition across TfL and the wider rail industry to move more passengers to digital ticketing in all its forms, to deliver strategic, operational and customer benefits - while ensuring that the retail experience remains inclusive and accessible for those who rely on paper tickets or cash. To enable delivery of these benefits, TfL is seeking to deliver a ticketing solution for the acceptance of barcode tickets in London. Barcode ticketing has been rolled out nationally on rail, further accelerating the adoption of digital retailing and acceptance. TfL's proposed expansion of barcode ticketing in London aligns with the broader rail industry led reform of fares, ticketing and retail - making fares easier to understand, ticketing simpler, and delivering improvements to passenger experience now, ahead of a more unified railway under Great British Railways. 2. Feedback Request Feedback is requested in relation to the questions in the MSQ. Your feedback is important as it will allow views from the market to inform the development and finalisation of the procurement strategy. TfL would greatly appreciate your feedback in the form of a response to the instructions mentioned in the MSQ document. The feedback we receive will be reviewed, analysed and taken into account in understanding the market appetite, and subsequent possible procurement activity for Barcode Ticketing in London for TfL. All responses will be treated confidentially. Summary analysis, including general themes and findings may be used as part of participant and market engagement. All responses are provided on a non-binding basis and will not be used for selection or exclusion at this point. This exercise does not form part of any formal procurement process. All responses will be carefully considered but will not bind TfL to any particular approach to the procurement, nor will responses be treated as conveying any promise or commitment on the part of the respondent. This engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023. 3.Proposals for Consideration and Feedback Additional information is available in the appendices to the MSQ. A supplier must describe their capacity and capability to provide Barcode Ticketing in London and any similar products they may have manufactured/supplied previously to customers. Additional information in relation to barcode ticketing, acceptance and retailing would also be beneficial to TfL. The supplier can recommend alternatives to the solutions that are already available on the market, but this must comply with the specification required.

Planning Information

As part of this market sounding exercise, TfL seek your views on your capabilities and appetite to take part in a future competitive procurement for Barcode Ticketing in London. For your feedback to be taken into account, your completed MSQ must be received by 12:00pm on 13 March 2026.Please email TomThomas@tfl.gov.uk, cc SarahAdedeji@tfl.gov.uk, using the subject line:[Barcode Ticketing 2026/S 000-006236] The process will include several key steps in addition to the above. Please observe the following timeline: 1. To request the MSQ: Please email TomThomas@tfl.gov.uk, cc SarahAdedeji@tfl.gov.uk, using the subject line:[Barcode Ticketing MSQ Request - Your Organisation Name] 2. Upon receiving your request: TfL will provide you with the MSQ document together with TfL's Confidentiality Agreement / NDA. Suppliers must return a signed NDA to access the MSQ appendices. The NDA is solely to protect operationally sensitive material and does not restrict participation in any future procurement. Please submit the signed NDA via email to TomThomas@tfl.gov.uk, cc'ing SarahAdedeji@tfl.gov.uk, using the subject line: [Barcode Ticketing - Signed NDA] 3. Clarification Questions: Send any clarification questions (CQs) to TomThomas@tfl.gov.uk, cc'ing SarahAdedeji@tfl.gov.uk, by 17:00 on 20 February 2026. Responses will be issued by 17:00 on 6 March 2026. 4. 1 2 1 Sessions: Apply for a 1 2 1 session via the Doodle link provided in the MSQ document by 17:00 on 20 February 2026, should you require further clarification from TfL. 1 2 1 sessions will be allocated in a fair and transparent manner. The feedback we receive will be reviewed, analysed and taken into account in understanding market appetite and any subsequent potential procurement activity for Barcode Ticketing in London.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-060d70
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052716-2026
Current Stage: Tender
All Stages: Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type: Standard
Procurement Category: Services
Procurement Method: Not Specified
Procurement Method Details: Not specified
Tender Suitability: Not specified
Awardee Scale: Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

22459000 - Tickets

30144400 - Automatic fare collection

34980000 - Transport tickets

50316000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-issuing machinery

50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

51000000 - Installation services (except software)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: Not specified
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: Not specified
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 4 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 13 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 31 May 2027 - 3 Jan 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Withdrawn
Lots Status: Withdrawn
Awards Status: Cancelled
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: TRANSPORT TRADING LIMITED
Additional Buyers: MISSING
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
Post Town: 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: Not specified
Local Authority: Newham
Electoral Ward: Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency: Stratford and Bow

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052716-2026
4th June 2026 - Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013647-2026
13th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013628-2026
13th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006236-2026
23rd January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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JSON Markdown

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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