--- title: "ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY" published: "2023-04-28" --- # ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest Buyer: WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272.json) ## Summary The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a planning stage procurement process titled "ZEBRA Grant Scheme for Transport for West Midlands - Expression of Interest". This opportunity falls under the industry category of Public-service buses in the West Midlands region, with a key deadline for expressing interest by 16th May 2023. This tender creates opportunities for businesses interested in supplying and operating zero-emission buses and related infrastructure. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete for this grant funding provided by the Department for Transport, which aims to support the transition to a net-zero carbon economy in the West Midlands region. ## Notice The UK Government targets all sectors of the UK economy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The West Midlands aims to lead the green revolution and become a net zero carbon economy nearly a decade earlier in 2041. In support of these aims, the National Bus Strategy set out plans to support the purchase of 4,000 zero emission buses. The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme will provide funding to local transport authorities outside of London for this purpose as well as contribute to Department for Transport's (DfT) strategic priorities: grow and level up the economy, reduce environmental impacts and improve transport for the user. Through the ZEBRA scheme the DfT have made available up to PS30.4 million in the West Midlands to enable the procurement and deployment of 100 hydrogen fuel cell double deck buses as well as 24 articulated zero emission buses (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) to be used on the Sprint Bus Rapid Transit corridor. This funding will also support the procurement and installation of depot located charging infrastructure and/or hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) infrastructure within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area. To maximise the outcomes of the project including supporting the local hydrogen economy the fuel cell buses should use green (low carbon), locally produced hydrogen. An initial grant competition for this funding was completed in May 2022. However, a decision has been made to change several of the original grant conditions, namely: - Allowing fuel cell or battery electric solution for the 24 articulated buses. - Removing the deadline for all vehicles to be operational by Q1 2024. - Introducing a requirement for green hydrogen to be supplied from a source within the West Midlands region or adjacent local authority area. Given the materiality of these changes the WMCA is now seeking to understand what bus operators are interested and capable of using this grant funding to deliver all 124 buses and required infrastructure. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 16th May 2023 by way of a document (suggested 3-5 pages in length) responding to the following questions: - Please summarise your approach to delivering the project including; suggested vehicles make and model, bus depot location(s), HRS/ charging infrastructure and hydrogen supply solution? - Please summarise your approach to operating a battery articulated fleet (if being considered) including; service patterns, charging schedules and indicative total annual range capability of fleet? - Timeline for project delivery with key activities and interdependencies. - Previous experience of procuring and operating zero emission buses. - Evidence of engagement with capable suppliers In order to express your interest please do so via the WMCA's BravoSolution e-tendering portal (https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html), reference: pqq_179. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d16642c1-267f-4ffb-816b-f4b8db9fe834 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 28 Apr 2023 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 16 May 2023 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B19 3SD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Newtown | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation ### Codes - 34121100 - Public-service buses ## Release History - 28 Apr 2023 at 13:55 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d16642c1-267f-4ffb-816b-f4b8db9fe834 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d16642c1-267f-4ffb-816b-f4b8db9fe834 28th April 2023 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fbbedd79-f518-46ae-a1d9-e7fb1c8ac272.json.