Planning

Supporting Transport for Greater Manchester in Shaping a TfGM Owned Unified Data Model (UDM)

TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Apr 2026 at 10:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is currently in the planning stage of a contracting process focused on developing a Unified Data Model (UDM). The initiative aims to provide a stable, reusable data foundation for the Bee Network and other organisational needs. Based in Manchester, TfGM seeks to engage the market to gain insights and expertise in supporting multi-modal transport networks with diverse technology estates. This collaborative process intends to address challenges associated with fragmented data representations and supplier dependencies. The engagement is scheduled to conclude by 29th May 2026, and the contract period is planned to start on 1st August 2026 and end on 1st January 2027. The procurement is classified under software packages and IT services, with the primary procurement category being services.

The tender presents significant opportunities for businesses experienced in data model formulation and digital strategy alignment. This engagement could be beneficial for companies specialising in consultancy, software development, and data governance, particularly those supporting large, complex data environments. Companies that can offer solutions enabling data interoperability across multiple vendor platforms will find the opportunity promising. Given that TfGM is seeking input on the strategic approach, governance, and long-term development of a digital twin capability, firms that can demonstrate high-level proficiency in these areas are best suited to engage in this process. The goal is to refine TfGM's strategy while leveraging external expertise, thus opening avenues for future advisory and delivery contracts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supporting Transport for Greater Manchester in Shaping a TfGM Owned Unified Data Model (UDM)

Notice Description

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is seeking to engage with the market to inform the development of a TfGM owned Unified Data Model (UDM) that will provide a robust, reusable data foundation for the Bee Network and wider organisational needs. TfGM manages a complex, multi modal transport network covering highways, bus, tram, and active travel, supported by a diverse technology estate and multiple third party suppliers. TfGM is increasingly dependent on timely, reliable and coherent data to support operational decision making, performance management, planning, and future digital capabilities. This engagement seeks to draw on market experience and expertise to help TfGM refine its thinking, validate assumptions, and shape a sustainable approach to developing and governing a UDM that can meet both current and future business objectives. Strategic Context TfGM has defined three strategic objectives for the Bee Network and the wider organisation by 2030: 1. Create a single view of the transport network across modes and operational domains 2. Establish a single source of truth for operational, performance and asset information 3. Develop a digital twin capability to support planning, simulation and assurance TfGM recognises that achieving these objectives requires a strong and coherent data foundation, rather than a dependence on individual systems or suppliers. A TfGM owned Unified Data Model is being explored as a key enabler that can: * Provide a canonical representation of the transport network and its components * Support consistent interpretation of data across systems and functional areas * Enable reuse of data across operational, analytical and strategic use cases * Underpin digital twin capabilities over time Unified Data Model (UDM) - Current Thinking TfGM is exploring the establishment of a TfGM owned and governed Unified Data Model, defined at a conceptual and logical level, independent of any single vendor or technology. Key principles being considered include: * The UDM represents core network entities, events, states and relationships in a consistent and extensible way * It acts as a canonical or reference model, against which data from multiple sources and platforms can be aligned * It is owned and governed by TfGM, allowing long term stability and control * It is designed to support both real time and historical views of the transport network While initial thinking has been informed by Highways together with Operational Control Centre use cases, TfGM is now considering the need to evolve this thinking into a business wide UDM, capable of supporting a much broader range of consumers and use cases across the organisation. Relationship to Vendor Provided Solutions TfGM anticipates that different suppliers may provide solutions that utilise their own internal or proprietary data models. The intent of a TfGM owned UDM is not to replace or mandate supplier data models, but to: * Enable federation, mapping or abstraction across multiple vendor data models * Facilitate portability of data and capability between solutions over time * Reduce dependency on tightly coupled, proprietary representations of TfGM's network * Support coexistence of multiple platforms while maintaining a consistent enterprise view TfGM is therefore particularly interested in approaches that allow vendor solutions to: * Integrate with, publish to, or consume from a TfGM UDM * Map or transform data between proprietary models and the TfGM canonical model * Operate independently while still contributing to a single, coherent picture of the network Business Drivers and Challenges TfGM is seeking to address a number of challenges through this work, including: * Fragmented and inconsistent representations of the transport network across systems * Duplication of data modelling effort between projects and suppliers * Difficulty reusing data across operational, analytical and planning contexts * Limited ability to decouple strategic data assets from individual vendor solutions * Risk of long term vendor lock in as new platforms are introduced The UDM is seen as a potential mechanism to centralise meaning without centralising systems, enabling TfGM to evolve its digital landscape in a controlled and flexible manner. Purpose of this Market Engagement TfGM is not undertaking a procurement through this engagement. The purpose is to engage with organisations that have experience supporting large, complex, data intensive organisations to: * Shape, validate or implement unified or canonical data models * Align data architecture with long term digital strategy and roadmaps * Design governance models that balance consistency with flexibility * Enable interoperability across supplier ecosystems TfGM wishes to use this engagement to test and refine its thinking around: * Whether a TfGM owned UDM is the right strategic approach * How such a model should be scoped, structured and governed * How it should evolve from domain specific (e.g. Highways) to enterprise wide * How it can practically support digital twin ambitions over time What TfGM Is Asking the Market to Respond To Suppliers are invited to provide high level responses covering: * Relevant experience of delivering or supporting unified data models or similar constructs at scale * How they would support TfGM in shaping, validating or maturing a TfGM owned UDM * How a UDM can support: o Federation across multiple vendor platforms o Portability of data and capability over time o Long term digital twin development * Views on governance, ownership and change control for an enterprise UDM * What a typical engagement and delivery model might look like (e.g. discovery, assurance, roadmap definition) Responses should focus on approach, principles and experience, rather than promotion of specific proprietary products or platforms. Next Steps Feedback from this market engagement will be used to inform TfGM's future strategy, roadmap and potential commissioning of advisory or delivery support for building a strong data foundation. Participation in this engagement does not guarantee involvement in any subsequent procurement.

Planning Information

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is seeking to engage with the market to inform the development of a TfGM owned Unified Data Model (UDM) that will provide a robust, reusable data foundation for the Bee Network and wider organisational needs. TfGM manages a complex, multi modal transport network covering highways, bus, tram, and active travel, supported by a diverse technology estate and multiple third party suppliers. TfGM is increasingly dependent on timely, reliable and coherent data to support operational decision making, performance management, planning, and future digital capabilities. This engagement seeks to draw on market experience and expertise to help TfGM refine its thinking, validate assumptions, and shape a sustainable approach to developing and governing a UDM that can meet both current and future business objectives. TfGM has defined three strategic objectives for the Bee Network and the wider organisation by 2030: 1. Create a single view of the transport network across modes and operational domains 2. Establish a single source of truth for operational, performance and asset information 3. Develop a digital twin capability to support planning, simulation and assurance TfGM recognises that achieving these objectives requires a strong and coherent data foundation, rather than a dependence on individual systems or suppliers. A TfGM owned Unified Data Model is being explored as a key enabler that can: • Provide a canonical representation of the transport network and its components • Support consistent interpretation of data across systems and functional areas • Enable reuse of data across operational, analytical and strategic use cases • Underpin digital twin capabilities over time TfGM is exploring the establishment of a TfGM owned and governed Unified Data Model, defined at a conceptual and logical level, independent of any single vendor or technology. Key principles being considered include: • The UDM represents core network entities, events, states and relationships in a consistent and extensible way • It acts as a canonical or reference model, against which data from multiple sources and platforms can be aligned • It is owned and governed by TfGM, allowing long term stability and control • It is designed to support both real time and historical views of the transport network While initial thinking has been informed by Highways together with Operational Control Centre use cases, TfGM is now considering the need to evolve this thinking into a business wide UDM, capable of supporting a much broader range of consumers and use cases across the organisation. TfGM anticipates that different suppliers may provide solutions that utilise their own internal or proprietary data models. The intent of a TfGM owned UDM is not to replace or mandate supplier data models, but to: • Enable federation, mapping or abstraction across multiple vendor data models • Facilitate portability of data and capability between solutions over time • Reduce dependency on tightly coupled, proprietary representations of TfGM's network • Support coexistence of multiple platforms while maintaining a consistent enterprise view TfGM is therefore particularly interested in approaches that allow vendor solutions to: • Integrate with, publish to, or consume from a TfGM UDM • Map or transform data between proprietary models and the TfGM canonical model • Operate independently while still contributing to a single, coherent picture of the network TfGM is seeking to address a number of challenges through this work, including: • Fragmented and inconsistent representations of the transport network across systems • Duplication of data modelling effort between projects and suppliers • Difficulty reusing data across operational, analytical and planning contexts • Limited ability to decouple strategic data assets from individual vendor solutions • Risk of long term vendor lock in as new platforms are introduced The UDM is seen as a potential mechanism to centralise meaning without centralising systems, enabling TfGM to evolve its digital landscape in a controlled and flexible manner. TfGM is not undertaking a procurement through this engagement. The purpose is to engage with organisations that have experience supporting large, complex, data intensive organisations to: • Shape, validate or implement unified or canonical data models • Align data architecture with long term digital strategy and roadmaps • Design governance models that balance consistency with flexibility • Enable interoperability across supplier ecosystems TfGM wishes to use this engagement to test and refine its thinking around: • Whether a TfGM owned UDM is the right strategic approach • How such a model should be scoped, structured and governed • How it should evolve from domain specific (e.g. Highways) to enterprise wide • How it can practically support digital twin ambitions over time Suppliers are invited to provide high level responses covering: • Relevant experience of delivering or supporting unified data models or similar constructs at scale • How they would support TfGM in shaping, validating or maturing a TfGM owned UDM • How a UDM can support: o Federation across multiple vendor platforms o Portability of data and capability over time o Long term digital twin development • Views on governance, ownership and change control for an enterprise UDM • What a typical engagement and delivery model might look like (e.g. discovery, assurance, roadmap definition) Responses should focus on approach, principles and experience, rather than promotion of specific proprietary products or platforms.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068c6d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038431-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 1 Jan 2027 1-6 months
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 GREATER MANCHESTER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 3BG
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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Create a single view of the transport network across modes and operational domains 2. Establish a single source of truth for operational, performance and asset information 3. Develop a digital twin capability to support planning, simulation and assurance TfGM recognises that achieving these objectives requires a strong and coherent data foundation, rather than a dependence on individual systems or suppliers. A TfGM owned Unified Data Model is being explored as a key enabler that can: * Provide a canonical representation of the transport network and its components * Support consistent interpretation of data across systems and functional areas * Enable reuse of data across operational, analytical and strategic use cases * Underpin digital twin capabilities over time Unified Data Model (UDM) - Current Thinking TfGM is exploring the establishment of a TfGM owned and governed Unified Data Model, defined at a conceptual and logical level, independent of any single vendor or technology. 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