South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority – Supertram Automatic Vehicle Location and Customer Information System Upgrade

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise prospective suppliers to the upcoming market engagement for the Supertram Automatic Vehicle Location and Customer Information System Upgrade and to invite them to participate in a pre-tender market consultation exercise. The aim of the exercise is to provide early information and gain feedback to help inform the proposed procurement and contracting strategy. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is a formal partnership of councils that shapes policy and leads on decision-making. Formed in 2014, the constituent members of the Mayoral Combined Authority are Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster councils. SYMCA own the South Yorkshire Supertram System, which commenced operation in 1994. SYMCA is now embarking on wide ranging renewal programme of Supertram that will see significant investment and improvement across all aspects of the system over the coming years. An initial activity is focussed on upgrading/renewing the existing Automatic Vehicle Location System and Customer Information System to improve customer experience through improved reliability, functionality and management of operations on the Supertram network. Market Engagement Event This document and subsequent market engagement event is published in advance of any procurement competition with the aim of: • Informing the market of the current system status, the current requirements, scope and durations. • to gain insights into the wider market for automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems (software and hardware) including prediction engines and content management system (CMS), particularly for vehicles operating within the light rail (tramway) and heavy-rail sectors (under a ‘tram-train’ arrangement). • to understand how the market believes the desired outcomes should be achieved from gaining an awareness of the current systems and aspirations for the Supertram system. This includes technical and commercial/procurement considerations. • to understand challenges and concerns within the industry that may allow SYMCA to shape work packages to suit the market. • to help develop an output-based specification that maximises competition in the marketplace • to gauge market appetite for the intended scope of services • to gain an appreciation of expectations of commercial terms and conditions associated with this type of service. The event will consist of a supplier information presentation (online and in-person) including a Q&A session and a visit to the existing control room. The event will take place on the 11th or 12th of September 2023. Further details will be provided upon registering interest. Please register your interest for the event by sending a message via the ProContract messaging platform including the name and contact details for the proposed attendees (max 2 per organisation) and whether you wish to attend in person or online. SYMCA may also invite certain respondents to follow-up discussions where we consider it necessary to clarify or supplement a response. It is not considered feasible or necessary to hold meetings with all of those that make submissions or with all service providers.