ICT13550: Procurement of Countdown 3 (CD3) Sign, Supply, Install and Maintenance

London Bus Services Limited (LBSL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL) responsible for “maintaining and enhancing a reliable, accessible and high-quality bus network across London.” As part of this objective, it is imperative that TfL provide Customers with timely and accurate real time passenger information (RTI) on the bus network. TfL does this by generating real time arrival predictions for all stops and disseminating this to Customers under the current Countdown 2 (CD2) system.

The CD2 system consists of the CD2 Back Office and around 2,700 CD2 Signs which are LED (Light Emitting Diode) on-street display screens mounted in bus shelters. The CD2 Signs receive predicted live bus arrival times real time information (RTI) from the CD2 Back Office to display four lines of live bus arrival predictions and can scroll service information messages on the lowest line, as well as full matrix messages if required.

There are also a small number of alternative digital technology screens deployed across the bus network, including e-paper screens in stop frames, battery powered Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) signs embedded in the stop flag and large departure style screens in totems at bus stations.

Currently CD2 is separated into three contracts, with two suppliers supplying, installing and maintaining the sign assets and a sole supplier providing the back-office system. TfL CD2 signs contracts are due to expire in March 2023 and the back- office contract is due to expire in August 2023. LBSL has therefore mobilised a Countdown 3 (CD3) project team for the re-procurement of the supplying, installing and maintaining the sign assets services and are aiming to release the Contract Notice advertising this tender opportunity on 28 April 2022. The back- office system is not intended to form part of this tender opportunity.

The estimated total value of this procurement opportunity is £18,000,000 to £24,000,000.

Before the release of the Contract Notice, TfL are preparing to engage with potential Bidders that may wish to engage with the Authority on understanding more about the CD3 project and answering any questions that suppliers might pose.

TfL proposes to hold an ½ day Launch Event held online via Microsoft Team, in early to mid April with the aim of generating market interest in the opportunity and encouraging suppliers with the capability, appetite and capacity to bid.

Interested parties are asked to contact the project team via Countdown3Commercial@tfl.gov.uk by Thursday 31 March 2022 - 15:00 for further details on the requirements and event.

Any Procurement Launch Event material and Questions and Answers from the event will be published as part of the forthcoming procurement and therefore made available to any organisations that are unable to attend.

It is currently envisaged that TfL and its subsidiaries may also use these contracts and this will be confirmed in the forthcoming procurement.