Free-Flow Charging Package C: Non-UK Enforcement Services

Concepts

• guildford
• toll collection
• national highways
• charging service solution
• package c
• penalty charge notice payment processing
• non-uk enforcement services
• road user charge
• road user charging services
• provision of revenue protection services

Location

Guildford

Description

National Highways is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving motorways and major (trunk) roads in England. National Highways has procured (as a procurement agent on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, as described in the Highways England framework document annex C paragraph 2) a second generation free-flow charging service solution for the existing Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing road user charging scheme. This contract award notice is for Non-UK Enforcement Services (Package C) as part of the overall free-flow charging service solution. Contracts for Road User Charging Services (Package A), and UK Enforcement Services (Package B), were awarded in April 2021.

Total Quantity or Scope

National Highways is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving motorways and major (trunk) roads in England. National Highways' road network totals around 4,300 miles and is commonly known as the strategic road network. The Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing is a critical part of the strategic road network in the South East of England. It spans the River Thames between Dartford and Thurrock, approximately 16 miles east of central London, and forms a trunk road link (the A282 Trunk Road) that connects the M25 London Orbital motorway either side of the Thames to create a complete strategic road network around London. National Highways has procured (as a procurement agent on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, as described in the National Highways framework document Annex C paragraph 2) a second generation free-flow charging service solution for the existing Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing road user charging scheme. A road user charge has been collected at this crossing since 2003 to manage the high demand for its use. National Highways' second generation free-flow charging service solution will be contracted through 3 main packages, each under a separate contract notice. This contract award notice is for Non-UK Enforcement Services (Package C) as part of the overall free-flow charging service solution. The other proposed elements of the free-flow charging solution are Road User Charging Services (Package A) and UK Enforcement Services (Package B). Package A and B were subject to separate contract notices and separate procurement exercises and contracts were awarded in April 2021. The contract will cover the management of enforcement activities where the person liable resides outside of the United Kingdom, including penalty charge notice payment processing, website provision and merchant acquirer services. The Package C contract will deliver the implementation of a new solution and transition of existing data within 7 months of the contract commencement date. Key elements of the service will include the provision of revenue protection services covering the enforcement lifecycle, including: • handling penalty charge records for contravention candidates and identifying the persons liable, • issuing and recovering penalty charge notices, • managing and supporting the full scope of representations and appeals in the enforcement lifecycle, and • interfacing with debt registration organisations. The service will also comprise of payment processing, in addition to financial reconciliation, banking, a payment gateway, and accounting services related to the road user charging scheme. The service will also require the provision of a customer support offering, utilising a suite of contact channels for managing communications (e.g. enquiries, complaints, Freedom of Information requests).

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The contract will consist of an initial 43-month term, comprising an 7 month mobilisation and implementation period followed by a 36 month initial term. There will also be an option to extend for two additional 12 month periods.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 79941000 - Toll-collection services
• 34980000 - Transport tickets
• 48000000 - Software package and information systems
• 63712210 - Highway toll services
• 63712311 - Bridge toll services
• 63712321 - Tunnel toll services
• 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
• 79342300 - Customer services
• 79940000 - Collection agency services
• 98351110 - Parking enforcement services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.