Official UK procurement notice
Transit Issuer Agreement · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Transport for Greater Manchester (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe 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 publishedLot #1Awarded
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
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fc27Find 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- Standstill ends14 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
- Notice published10 Jun 2025, 16:15 BST
Notice history
4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Apr 2025- Transparency notice published2 Apr 2025, 15:28 BSTUK5
- Contract award notice published3 Apr 2025, 16:40 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected16 Apr 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published10 Jun 2025, 16:15 BSTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | £1,950,000 | 2 Apr 2025 | Awarded |
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
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Apple Distribution International LimitedAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender