Planning

TfL Street Lighting - Control Management System (CMS)

TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Mar 2026 at 14:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London (TfL) is in the planning stage for procuring a new Street Lighting Control Management System (CMS) to replace its outdated platform. This project is aimed at managing the lighting across the Transport for London Road Network, specifically targeting around 37,000 lighting column luminaires, part of a broader 190,000-point estate. Classified under the "Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting" industry category, the procurement is essential for supporting TfL's ongoing LED upgrade programme. The initiative will help streamline operations and harness real-time fault monitoring through modern, interoperable CMS technology. TfL has scheduled an Early Market Engagement to gather insights on potential solutions and expects responses to the Market Sounding Questionnaire by midnight on 25th March 2026. The procurement process is slated for completion with numerous milestones, including eventual delivery as a SaaS-based solution.

This tender presents an appealing opportunity for businesses engaged in electrical machinery, street lighting equipment, and IT services. It would be especially suitable for organisations offering CMS hardware, software, asset monitoring, and those capable of undertaking installation, support, and maintenance services. As the project seeks to foster innovation and operational efficiency, businesses within the SME and VCSE sectors are encouraged to express their interest and participate in the market engagement. The procurement offers prospects for training and technical consultancy, promising growth opportunities for both established and emerging firms aiming to compete in the utility services space. By adopting cutting-edge technology and leveraging open standards, this tender allows businesses to contribute to a modernised and efficient public utility infrastructure.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

TfL Street Lighting - Control Management System (CMS)

Notice Description

Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to procure a replacement Central Management System (CMS) to supersede the current platform, which is being phased out due to its reliance on obsolete 2G/3G networks. The new CMS is required to support TfL's ongoing LED upgrade programme across the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), where approximately 37,000 lighting column luminaires form part of a wider 190,000-point lighting estate. As LED adoption increases-forecast to reach 85% of lighting column luminaires by March 2026-TfL requires a modern, interoperable CMS to control lighting assets, manage Harvard-equipped luminaires, and provide real-time fault monitoring essential for maintenance and operational efficiency. The upgraded estate incorporates both NEMA and ZHAGA socket standards, reflecting the transition to more flexible and future-proof lighting technologies. TfL intends to invest to complete the lighting upgrade programme and implement a unified, modernised control solution. The procurement will cover: CMS hardware (nodes, gateways, infrastructure) CMS software and asset monitoring Support and maintenance services Installation and on-boarding Training for operational teams Technical and design consultancy Delivery as a SaaS-based solution The new CMS will enable standardisation, improved performance visibility, and long-term compatibility across TfL's lighting network

Planning Information

The purpose of the Early Market Engagement exercise is to understand TfL's options for a TfL Street Lighting Control Management System (CMS) that can manage the end to end process. In addition TfL would like to receive market feedback on how the potential solution will make use of open standards to allow for integration with other TfL platforms, flexibility to adapt over the life of the technology to continue to meet TfL business needs and remove the need for multiple data entry etc but create operational efficiencies through use of technology. Further information regarding the background to the CMS and TfL's objectives in relation to the Street Lighting Project can be found in the Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). Should you be interested in taking part in TfL Street Lighting Control Management System (CMS) market engagement and would like to register your EOI, you can do so by sending an email to SarahAnderson@tfl.gov.uk. Your EOI should include your organisation's full company name, company registration number and key contact Name and email address. The MSQ will be issued via a SAP Ariba event to all suppliers who express interest in completing the questionnaire. Responses will be treated in strict confidence and reviewed by internal TfL staff only. In order for your feedback to be taken into account, your completed MSQ must be received via SAP Ariba by Midnight, Wednesday 25th March 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06623f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019544-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

48 - Software package and information systems

65 - Public utilities

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

CPV Codes

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

34928500 - Street-lighting equipment

34928510 - Street-lighting columns

34928520 - Lampposts

34928530 - Street lamps

34929000 - Highway materials

48000000 - Software package and information systems

65000000 - Public utilities

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
4 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20272 years to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2029 - 31 Dec 2030 1-2 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
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
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

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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