Official UK procurement notice
Platform Train Interface (PTI) Safety Detection System
Authority: Transport for London (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionTfL intends to directly award a contract for the delivery of a two-phase trial of a novel PTI safety detection system on the Piccadilly Line. The solution integrates ultrasonic sensors and video analytics to detect falls and obstructions at the platform edge. This approach has not previously been trialled in the London Underground operational context.
The contract will cover both:
- Phase 1 (Shadow Trial): A non-live environment test to validate the technology and integration approach.
- Phase 2 (Operational Trial): A live deployment, subject to successful completion of Phase 1 and TfL's approval to proceed.
The contract will be structured as a fixed-price, milestone-based agreement with a break clause following Phase 1.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure 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
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 29 Aug 2025, 17:51 BST
- Last source update
- 29 Aug 2025, 17:51 BST
- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-052615- Latest notice
- Transparency notice (UK5)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0590ddFind a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Prototypes Development
- Published justification
Justification for Direct Award:
This contract is being awarded under Schedule 5, Paragraph 2 of the Procurement Act 2023 - the prototype exemption.
The proposed solution is technically novel, featuring a dual-input detection architecture that combines ultrasonic sensors and video analytics. It is being trialled in a unique operational environment (curved platforms, mixed rolling stock, high passenger volumes) not previously addressed by existing PTI technologies. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the solution's effectiveness and suitability in this context, with findings to inform future safety and procurement strategies.
Market Engagement Summary:
TfL conducted a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) in September 2024. Robert Bosch Limited was identified as the only supplier capable of delivering an integrated, end-to-end solution within the required timeframe and cost. Other suppliers offered partial solutions or lacked integration capability. Splitting the requirement across multiple suppliers was considered but rejected due to integration, performance, and risk concerns.
Commercial Terms:
The contract will be subject to commercial negotiation. Final pricing and terms for both phases will be agreed prior to contract signature. Phase 2 delivery is conditional on successful completion of Phase 1 and TfL's decision to proceed.
Notice history
2 events · 1 release on Find a Tender · since 29 Aug 2025- Transparency notice published29 Aug 2025, 17:51 BSTUK5
- Contract signature expected10 Oct 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT BOSCH LIMITED17 Oct 2025 – 16 Oct 2026 | £360,000 | — | Standstill |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- ROBERT BOSCH LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender