Transaction Management System · UK public procurement notice

RDG operates the Digital Ticketing Service (DTS), formerly known as Central Back Office (CBO) on behalf of the UK rail industry to support the provision of ITSO smartcard ticket services. Established in 2014, one of the key components of the CBO is the Transaction Management System (TMS) which is in its extension period and due for renewal.

TMS is a bespoke system that was designed and developed specifically to meet the needs of National Rail. This included specific requirements for the combined management, reporting and control of multiple TOC ITSO (electronic smartcards) schemes, scheme interoperability and integration and reporting to a number of external systems. The TMS has subsequently been incrementally developed, maintained and operated by the same supplier, Colibri, to meet the changing requirements of the rail industry. RDG, via RSP, own the TMS Intellectual Property (IP) and code / system.

This modification is a permitted modification under Section 74 and Paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 (Additional Goods, Services or Works) of the Procurement Act 2023. The contract provides bespoke software services critical to national rail operations. A change of supplier at this juncture cannot be made at this point in time for technical reasons because: (i) a new supplier would face significant interchangeability issues with the existing proprietary architecture; and (ii) it would result in a substantial duplication of costs for RDG.

These technical constraints are compounded by the transition to Great British Railways (GBR). Procuring a replacement system now would cause significant inconvenience and disproportionate financial risk before the long-term strategic and technical requirements of GBR are established. The extension is strictly limited to a duration that ensures operational continuity until the GBR transition allows for a settled procurement strategy.