Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract details notice
Published 2 Apr 2025, 15:28 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Transit Issuer Agreement · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Transport for Greater Manchester (Public body)

Direct award
Awarded value£1,950,000published award · exc. VAT
Awarded 2 Apr 2025no call for competition
Awarded to Apple Distribution International Limited

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The efficient and effective delivery of Ticketing with respect to concessionary and commercial travel schemes across the Bee Network is of critical importance to TfGM, with enablement of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme for the Elderly and

Disabled, a regulatory requirement.

Currently, customer participation in TfGM's concessionary or commercial travel schemes requires the application, processing and fulfilment and distribution of physical ITSO smart-cards directly to each customer. These may then be used by each customer to secure the benefits of the relevant travel scheme and their entitlement.

TfGM anticipates that in future, customer preferences will require an option to include the use of digital media (including for example mobile devices: phones, watches and other wearables) in accessing concessionary and commercial travel scheme entitlement and benefits. Additionally, following the introduction of the Bee Network App in 2023, it has become evident that better integration between the Bee Network App and mobile device

operating systems will be required to meet customer expectations and enhance their experience.

Integration to mobile devices and implementation and delivery of a Digital Pass capability (enabled by ITSO) to enable customers to apply for commercial and concessionary passes and products, buy products, fulfil them directly to their mobile device and check journey history is therefore a key objective for TfGM and will require the establishment of contractual agreements between TfGM and those parties whose proprietary digital media wallets and platforms are required.

This notice provides transparency around the reasons for this single source procurement of the Transit Issuer Agreement (with respect to the Apple mobile application and wallet), alongside the single source procurement of a Transit Platform Services Agreement (with

respect to the ITSO on Mobile Platform and integration to Apple applications and wallet).

The decision to enter into a new contract with Apple Distribution International Ltd with respect to the Transit Issuer Agreement is necessary for the following reasons:

  • only Apple Distribution International Ltd can facilitate integration with the Apple technology required to enable TfGM customers to access concessionary and commercial products using the Apple Wallet application.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Direct award
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
2 Apr 2025, 15:28 BST
Last source update
10 Jun 2025, 16:15 BST
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-031348
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area
North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)South East (UKJ)
+1 moreSouth West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fc27 Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
Published justification

Given that the Transit Issuer Agreement relates to services that will enable TfGM and the Transit Platform Service Provider to integrate to proprietary Apple mobile application and wallet, there is consequently only one economic operator that can provide the services.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

14 Apr 2025 → 10 Jun 2025 · 2 dates
  1. Standstill ends
    14 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
  2. Notice published
    10 Jun 2025, 16:15 BST

Notice history

4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Apr 2025
  1. Transparency notice published
    2 Apr 2025, 15:28 BST
    UK5
  2. Contract award notice published
    3 Apr 2025, 16:40 BST
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    16 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  4. Contract details notice published
    10 Jun 2025, 16:15 BST
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £1,950,0001 award exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 17 Apr 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Apple Distribution International LimitedManchester - Transit Card Issuer Agreement17 Apr 2025 – 16 Apr 2030 · up to 15 Sept 2031Extensions: One single extension of 18 months · Options: One single extension of 18 months£1,950,0002 Apr 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • Manchester - Transit Card Issuer Agreement · Apple Distribution International Limited

    Signed
    17 Apr 2025
    Value
    £1,950,000
    Period
    17 Apr 2025 – 16 Apr 2030 · up to 15 Sept 2031 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    The agreement includes the Option to extend the agreement for a period of eighteen months beyond the 5 year initial term. the total estimated value included in the Contract value includes the extension period. The decision to exercise the extension period option will be determined by the parties following operation of the scheme during the initial period.
    Options
    The agreement includes the Option to extend the agreement for a period of eighteen months beyond the 5 year initial term. the total estimated value included in the Contract value includes the extension period. The decision to exercise the extension period option will be determined by the parties following operation of the scheme during the initial period.

    No agreed KPIs: The Agreement relates to the integration and usage of Apples proprietary application and wallet.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Transport for Greater Manchester

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PNJQ-2746-NWYT 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, North West, M1 3BGContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender