Planning

NorTMS External Audit Services

TRANSPORT FOR THE NORTH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 May 2026 at 14:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Transport for the North focuses on acquiring external audit services for the Northern Transport Modelling System (NorTMS). This process, which is currently in the planning phase, involves a market engagement session scheduled for 22 June 2025, conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Interested parties are requested to confirm participation by 19 June. The procurement category for this tender is services, under the CPV codes for technical analysis and auditing services, with a budgeted gross value of £360,000. The contracting period is set to begin on 1 April 2027 and can extend until 31 March 2030, suggesting significant potential for long-term collaboration.

This tender presents considerable growth opportunities, primarily for businesses experienced in technical consultancy and auditing, particularly those with expertise in CUBE model reviews. Such businesses should have competent Python skills and should not have previously been directly involved with NorTMS or related frameworks unless their work pertains to previous audits. The scope includes providing thorough audits and insightful reports, making this an ideal opportunity for companies aiming to demonstrate their proficiency in technical analysis and build enduring partnerships with a key public authority like Transport for the North.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NorTMS External Audit Services

Notice Description

The NorTMS Audit is to undertake audits as required of the Northern Transport Modelling System (NorTMS), a Cube-based VDM with a focus on intercity rail in the North of England. These will be required on a call-off basis when a stable model release is available. After each audit the supplier will be expected to provide an audit report with recommendations for areas requiring improvement. This will be subject to a one+one+one year call-off basis. TfN requires a supplier who is an expert CUBE model reviewer with competent Python skills as some elements of NorTMS are coded in Python, and who has not worked with NorTMS or related to any TfN framework directly involved in NorTMS, unless the work that was delivered relates to the audit of NorTMS. The scope of work required for each NorTMS audit underpins the following objectives: *Provision of a full audit of all NorTMS inputs and outputs with the aim of instilling confidence in NorTMS for its use in modelling works and supporting business cases. *A review of each version of NorTMS following model updates and improvements prior to implementation on programme. *To understand the fitness for purpose of NorTMS in its use for assessing schemes for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). *Production of a comprehensive audit report giving a RAG rating of all the model elements reviewed. *A final report comprising of a plain English summary of issues identified (for a general audience) and a detailed technical report (for a modelling audience) with potential recommendations for areas requiring improvement, an outline of best practices in CUBE and the application of CUBE as a modelling tool. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Manchester:-Technical-analysis-or-consultancy-services./37Z364B3KV To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/37Z364B3KV

Planning Information

Transport for the North (TfN) invites suppliers to attend an upcoming engagement session to explore future opportunities within our procurement pipeline. This will be focussed on expected upcoming modelling and visualisation activity expected from early 2027. This session will provide an opportunity to gain insight into our requirements, anticipated timescales, and overall procurement approach. Event Details: •Date: 22 June 2025 •Time: 1:05pm •Location/Format: Online (Microsoft Teams) Registration: Please confirm your attendance by 5:00pm on 19 June by emailing Emily Molden at emily.molden@transportforthenorth.com. We look forward to your response and hope you are able to join us for this session.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a1d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048097-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

79212000 - Auditing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 May 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 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 THE NORTH
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
M2 5DB
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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