Award

Central Automatic Vehicle Location processing and reporting system

MERSEYTRAVEL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

24 Apr 2026 at 15:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

24 Apr 2026 at 15:42

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement contracting process involves Merseytravel, a sub-central government authority based in Liverpool, United Kingdom, seeking solutions for their Central Automatic Vehicle Location (CAVL) processing and reporting system. This tender falls within the services category and aims to enhance bus operation management through a GPS-based fleet monitoring system. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with a value of £1,062,497.06, and is set to commence on 15 May 2026, lasting until 31 March 2033. Merseytravel opted for a direct award procurement method due to critical time constraints and previous unsuccessful open competition attempts, ensuring service continuity and compliance by partnering with CORVIA LIMITED TRADING AS TICKETER, a large-scale supplier based in Hungerford, United Kingdom.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in real-time operating system software development services, especially those capable of delivering robust operational control and enhanced passenger information solutions. Leveraging a direct award method, it provides an expedited pathway for businesses that can meet technical and operational requirements efficiently. Companies with expertise in transport management and real-time tracking technologies can benefit immensely from this tender, contributing to improving public transport infrastructure while expanding their portfolio in the government services sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Central Automatic Vehicle Location processing and reporting system

Notice Description

The Authority is seeking to procure a Central Automatic Vehicle Location (CAVL) system, comprising a GPS-based fleet monitoring and management solution for bus operations. The system will provide real-time tracking of vehicles across the network, enabling improved operational control, enhanced service reliability, and proactive management of delays and disruptions. It is expected to support the delivery of accurate and timely passenger information, including real-time arrival predictions through on-street displays, online platforms, and mobile applications. In addition, the CAVL system will generate comprehensive operational and performance data to support service monitoring, network planning, and ongoing service optimisation. The solution will form a key element of the Authority's transport technology infrastructure and is intended to improve operational efficiency, enhance the passenger experience, and strengthen overall network performance and control.

Procurement Information

The Authority is seeking to implement a Central Automatic Vehicle Location (CAVL) system to support the mobilisation and operation of its bus franchise services. The system is a critical operational dependency, providing real-time fleet tracking, passenger information, and network performance data. It is required to be fully operational from Day One / Category 1 launch to ensure service continuity, compliance with passenger information obligations, and effective operational control of the network. An open procurement process was previously undertaken in accordance with applicable procurement regulations and appropriately advertised. However, this process was subsequently cancelled prior to contract award as the submissions received did not meet the Authority's technical, operational, and mobilisation requirements within the required timescales. As a result, no contract was awarded under the original procedure. Given the fixed and immovable deadline associated with bus franchise commencement, there is insufficient time to re-run a full open competition without creating a material risk to service mobilisation, operational readiness, and continuity of passenger-facing services. The Authority therefore requires a compliant alternative procurement route to ensure delivery of a fit-for-purpose solution within the necessary timeframe. The Authority proposes to proceed via an appropriate framework agreement permitting direct award in accordance with its established call-off procedures. This approach is considered compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 principles, as the framework has been competitively established and provides a lawful route to award without re-opening competition. In addition, the use of a compliant framework and adherence to published call-off procedures significantly mitigates the risk of successful legal challenge, as transparency, equal treatment, and pre-agreed commercial terms are maintained. On this basis, the Authority considers that the proposed route is both legally robust and the only viable option to ensure timely delivery of a critical operational system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068b09
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037761-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212670 - Real time operating system software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,062,497 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MERSEYTRAVEL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
Not specified
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CORVIA LIMITED TRADING AS TICKETER

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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