Platform Validator Agreement

Concepts

• manchester
• software package
• ticket validation machines
• ticket validation machinery
• platform validator
• platform validators
• platform
• validators
• validator
• industry specific

Location

United Kingdom:

Description

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting suppliers of Platform Validators, (including supporting solutions, operation and maintenance) that enable contactless bankcard transaction processing compliant with bank card scheme Model 2 Transit rules and the collection of ITSO events compliant with ITSO standard 2.1.5 to provide information regarding their latest solutions and capability. At this early stage, TfGM is seeking to gain a greater understanding of the range of infrastructure and related solutions available, and any recent or expected innovation and development that should be considered in a procurement. Since TfGM’s Ticketing Schemes are likely to extend across all potential transport and associated modes including (but not limited to) Light Rail, Bus, Heavy Rail, Active Travel, understanding experience in these areas is welcome. TfGM would also like to consider any other potential options to source and maintain additional infrastructure components that have the capability to read bankcard or ITSO media (such as for example Revenue Inspection Devices and Mobile Hand-Held Ticket issuing devices etc.) and / or the option to provide a QR Code reading capability at each Platform Validator. Potential solutions will work in conjunction with a Contactless Bankcard Middle and Back Office service as well as the Merchant Acquirer and Payment Gateway service that is appointed by TfGM. The Platform Validator infrastructure and supporting service will also need to be capable of reading ITSO media (for both digital and physical media compliant with the latest ITSO 2.1.5 standard).

Total Quantity or Scope

A description of the Market Sounding is set out in section ii.1.4) Short Description. Please be advised that, at this stage, this PIN is for investigative purposes only and there is no commitment from TfGM that a procurement exercise will result from this activity. The Place of Performance that is set out in section II.2.3 of this notice reflects a longer-term ambition to extend ticketing products and schemes to areas that are adjacent to Greater Manchester (UKD – North West England, UKE Yorkshire and The Humber, UKF – East Midlands, UKG-West Midlands, UKL-Wales) and may or may not apply to any contract during its term.

CPV Codes

• 48100000 - Industry specific software package
• 30123100 - Ticket-validation machines
• 50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

Other Information

Suppliers are also invited to provide indicative timescales for technical refresh or replacement of TfGM’s current Platform Validator infrastructure as well as any transitional dependencies. Since TfGM already operates a highly successful contactless bankcard transaction processing scheme, supplier consideration of the arrangements to successfully transition from existing to new services, will be key. Please note that TfGM has also issued a Prior Information Notice with regard to a Contactless Bankcard Middle and Back Office. ** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** TfGM is planning to progress Market Sounding during mid September 2024. Suppliers are requested to review the Market Sounding Briefing Pack that provides contextual information relating to the Market Sounding that may be accessed via the ProContract e-Tendering Portal set out in 1.3) Communication. Suppliers should open the ProContract link for the Market Sounding and use the message function on ProContract to indicate whether they would like to attend a Market Sounding Meeting. TfGM will respond to each Supplier request (that is provided by Thursday 12th September 2024) to request a reserved Market Sounding Meeting slot. Each Supplier who expresses an interest in the Market Sounding opportunity on Pro-Contract will be issued the Market Sounding Briefing Pack and Agenda directly. The Market Sounding Meetings will be progressed as Microsoft Teams meetings. Please note that TfGM will request that each Market Sounding Session is recorded. In the event that a Supplier does not wish to attend a Market Sounding Meeting, Suppliers may still respond to the Market Sounding Briefing Pack, by uploading a response to Pro-Contract. Suppliers may use their own discretion when determining what information to share, for example; sales literature, presentation slides or videographic information.