Official UK procurement notice
Metrolink Operations and Maintenance
Authority: Transport for Greater Manchester (Public body)·On behalf of: NORTHSTAR CONSULTANCY LIMITED
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Metrolink Tram System is the backbone of the Bee Network , Greater Manchester's integrated public transport network, and is of strategic importance to the economy of Greater Manchester, providing fast and frequent links across the region for employment, leisure and tourism.
The Metrolink assets comprise a fleet of 147 trams, over 100 km of track and overhead line, 99 stops, 2 depots and growing patronage of over 46 million passenger journeys per annum (March 2025). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK.
Operation and management of the system is currently undertaken via one major contract let by TfGM. The maintenance and operations obligations for Metrolink are included within the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) with the current contract ending in July 2027.
Selecting the best provider of operation and maintenance services is critical to TfGM's continued success in the coming decade. The value of the operations and maintenance services is expected to be in the order of £1.9 billion over 11 years, with a potential to instruct additional capital works.
This notice is intended to inform potential tenderers that TfGM are now formally commencing the procurement process to appoint an operation and maintenance provider for 2027 onwards, and provide a timeline for the procurement.
The procurement will follow a 2 stage process under the competitive flexible procedure with an initial Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage from which a maximum of four tenderers will be progressed to the tender stage. Full details are provided within the PSQ, draft contract and draft Invitation to Negotiate (ITN ) which are freely and electronically available via the linked Pro Contract e Portal.
The successful tenderer, as an experienced operator and maintainer will also support TfGM in their procurement and delivery of Expansion Projects to the Metrolink System including new stops and new trams, new control systems and the development of future extensions. The successful tenderer will be responsible for delivering a step change in asset management that maximises the life of the existing assets and maximises the capacity of the services delivered with the existing assets.
- How the procedure runs: This competition is being conducted under the competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2) (a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This procurement is for the award of a utilities contract pursuant to section 6 and Schedule 4 to the Procurement Act 2023. The procurement process leading to the award of this MOMA2 agreement is anticipated to comprise two main stages: qualification and award. At the outcome of the first stage, qualification, TfGM will have established a shortlist of Candidates. TfGM intends to shortlist a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 Candidates (provided there are sufficient suitable Candidates). The evaluation methodology to be applied during this stage of the process is fully detailed in the PSQ document. TfGM will inform all Candidates who submit a completed PSQ response whether or not they have been shortlisted to receive an ITN. The award stage will commence with the issuing by TfGM of the ITN to each shortlisted Candidate, thereafter, referred to as "Tenderers". The documents making up the ITN will contain greater detail about the scope of services, the draft MOMA2 agreement, supporting material, and detailed information regarding the award process and award criteria. Prior to submitting a Tender (as defined in the ITN), each Tenderer will be invited to attend plenary session(s) with TfGM. The plenary session(s) will provide an opportunity for TfGM to present key aspects of the award process and the requirements of the MOMA2 agreement to all Tenderers. Following the plenary session(s), individual Tenderers will be invited (but not obliged) to attend one-to-one sessions with TfGM to discuss and negotiate on specific topics in relation to the requirements of the ITN, and the MOMA2 agreement. The plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions are intended to assist Tenderers to understand the award process, and TfGM's requirements for this procurement. Following the plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions, each Tenderer will be invited to submit a tender for the MOMA2 agreement in accordance with the ITN (for completeness a finalised version of the ITN will be issued via the Pro Contract ePortal) Full timeline and evaluation and moderation detail are provided within the draft ITN that will be automatically issued with the PSQ document. TfGM reserves the right to refine the award criteria during the procurement process, pursuant to section 24 of the procurement act 2023, and following negotiation with tenderers and/or written negotiations. All tenderers will be notified of any such changes via the Pro Contract ePortal.
CPV: Car park management services · Construction management services · Construction work · Energy-management services · Management-related services · Public road transport services · Public transport services by railways · Railway-track inspection services · Repair and maintenance services · Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£1,600,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Refer to the PSQ which provides full detail of the qualitative elements to be evaluated.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Qualitative: 60%
- Quantitative: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Qualitative: Qualitative elements as fully detailed within the draft ITN documentation
- Quantitative: Price criterion as fully detailed with the draft ITN documentation
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Refer to the PSQ which provides full detail of the qualitative elements to be evaluated.
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 24 Apr 2025, 10:24 BST
- Last source update
- 30 Jul 2025, 12:04 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 15 Jan 2027
- Authority reference
202501010- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-044209- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0506c2Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
Details are within the draft contract
- How it runs
This competition is being conducted under the competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2) (a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This procurement is for the award of a utilities contract pursuant to section 6 and Schedule 4 to the Procurement Act 2023. The procurement process leading to the award of this MOMA2 agreement is anticipated to comprise two main stages: qualification and award. At the outcome of the first stage, qualification, TfGM will have established a shortlist of Candidates.
TfGM intends to shortlist a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 Candidates (provided there are sufficient suitable Candidates). The evaluation methodology to be applied during this stage of the process is fully detailed in the PSQ document. TfGM will inform all Candidates who submit a completed PSQ response whether or not they have been shortlisted to receive an ITN.
The award stage will commence with the issuing by TfGM of the ITN to each shortlisted Candidate, thereafter, referred to as "Tenderers". The documents making up the ITN will contain greater detail about the scope of services, the draft MOMA2 agreement, supporting material, and detailed information regarding the award process and award criteria.
Prior to submitting a Tender (as defined in the ITN), each Tenderer will be invited to attend plenary session(s) with TfGM. The plenary session(s) will provide an opportunity for TfGM to present key aspects of the award process and the requirements of the MOMA2 agreement to all Tenderers. Following the plenary session(s), individual Tenderers will be invited (but not obliged) to attend one-to-one sessions with TfGM to discuss and negotiate on specific topics in relation to the requirements of the ITN, and the MOMA2 agreement. The plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions are intended to assist Tenderers to understand the award process, and TfGM's requirements for this procurement.
Following the plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions, each Tenderer will be invited to submit a tender for the MOMA2 agreement in accordance with the ITN (for completeness a finalised version of the ITN will be issued via the Pro Contract ePortal)
Full timeline and evaluation and moderation detail are provided within the draft ITN that will be automatically issued with the PSQ document.
TfGM reserves the right to refine the award criteria during the procurement process, pursuant to section 24 of the procurement act 2023, and following negotiation with tenderers and/or written negotiations. All tenderers will be notified of any such changes via the Pro Contract ePortal.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 24 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 24 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Via Pro Contract ePortal - Reference number DN772396
Timeline
24 Apr 2025 → 25 Jul 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published24 Apr 2025, 10:24 BST
- Market engagement30 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
TfGM's current Metrolink Operating and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) is nearing the end of its term, July 2027, as such TfGM are exploring options to procure a contracting partner for the network from July 2027. This involves conducting lessons learned on the current arrangements, highlighting successes and areas for improvement, while addressing the growing demands of Greater Manchester.
This Market Sounding exercise will allow for a better understanding of the marketplace's capabilities in delivering the MOMA 2027 requirements.(Further detail is within the questionnaire)
We anticipate that this market sounding exercise will follow the below sequence:
- This preliminary market engagement notice (PME UK2) issued on 15th May 2025 via the Central Digital Platform and registered on ProContract DN772396.
- This market engagement - Interested parties will need to express interest via ProContract and request the Market Engagement Documentation. procontract.due-north.com ↗ Project reference DN772396 Please use the messaging function within the project to confirm interest, documentation will be sent via this route. (If not already registered on Pro Contract you will need to register to access the project - registration is free).
- Initially TfGM are holding a market engagement event on Tuesday 10th June in Manchester, (10am - 12noon). Interested parties may apply for a maximum of 3 places per supplier. Capacity is limited and will be restricted to potential bidders only. The event will be recorded and available online shortly afterwards.
- Applications to attend the market engagement event must be received via the messaging function on Pro Contract by 1pm on Friday 23rd of May 2025. TfGM will confirm acceptance via this route and provide further event detail.
- TfGM will, by Wednesday 28 May 2025, confirm the attendance list via ProContract.
- Following an expression of interest through ProContract, TfGM will send, via ProContract, the Market Sounding Document and flyer. These documents contain background information of the opportunity, detailed information on the market engagement event and the market sounding questionnaire.
- Suppliers expressing interest in this opportunity are requested to complete and return the market engagement questionnaire via the messaging function of Pro Contract by 5pm Friday 13th June 2025.
- Suppliers responding to the questionnaire will be invited to an individual 1-hour online discussion with TfGM, to take place before Monday 30th June 2025.
- Next notice expected17 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published30 Jul 2025, 12:04 BST
- Clarification questions by10 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline396 days ago24 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
- Today25 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 83 days15 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 273 days25 Jul 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Apr 2025- Planned procurement notice published24 Apr 2025, 10:24 BSTUK3
- Preliminary market engagement notice published15 May 2025, 15:50 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published30 Jul 2025, 12:04 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active30 Jul 2025, 12:04 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- DLA PIPER UK LLPProcuring entityLegal support
- NORTHSTAR CONSULTANCY LIMITEDProcuring entityConsultancy support across all areas of the procurement and contract
Official documents & specifications (8)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Technical specifications
- Technical specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications PSQ documentation Draft ITN Draft contract Via Pro Contract ePortal - Reference number DN772396 Documents will be freely available following issue of this Notice
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Free of charge and immediately available via the Pro Contract ePortal at the point of Market engagement and at tender - Reference DN772396 https://procontract.due-north.com
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender