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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Metrolink Operations and Maintenance

Transport for Greater Manchester · Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 00:16.

Opportunity overview

The Metrolink Tram System is the backbone of the Bee Network , Greater Manchester's integrated public transport network, and is of strategic importance to the economy of Greater Manchester, providing fast and frequent links across the region for employment, leisure and tourism. The Metrolink assets comprise a fleet of 147 trams, over 100 km of track and overhead line, 99 stops, 2 depots and growing patronage of over 46 million passenger journeys per annum (March 2025). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK. Operation and management of the system is currently undertaken via one major contract let by TfGM. The maintenance and operations obligations for Metrolink are included within the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) with the current contract ending in July 2027. Selecting the best provider of operation and maintenance services is critical to TfGM's continued success in the coming decade. The value of the operations and maintenance services is expected to be in the order of £1.9 billion over 11 years, with a potential to instruct additional capital works. This notice is intended to inform potential tenderers that TfGM are now formally commencing the procurement process to appoint an operation and maintenance provider for 2027 onwards, and provide a timeline for the procurement. The procurement will follow a 2 stage process under the competitive flexible procedure with an initial Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage from which a maximum of four tenderers will be progressed to the tender stage. Full details are provided within the PSQ, draft contract and draft Invitation to Negotiate (ITN ) which are freely and electronically available via the linked Pro Contract e Portal. The successful tenderer, as an experienced operator and maintainer will also support TfGM in their procurement and delivery of Expansion Projects to the Metrolink System including new stops and new trams, new control systems and the development of future extensions. The successful tenderer will be responsible for delivering a step change in asset management that maximises the life of the existing assets and maximises the capacity of the services delivered with the existing assets.

Classification

  • CPV45000000 — Construction work
  • CPV50000000 — Repair and maintenance services
  • CPV60112000 — Public road transport services
  • CPV60130000 — Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
  • CPV60210000 — Public transport services by railways
  • CPV71314200 — Energy-management services
  • CPV71540000 — Construction management services
  • CPV71631470 — Railway-track inspection services
  • CPV79420000 — Management-related services
  • CPV98351000 — Car park management services

Lots

  • Lot 1£1.6bn

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
202501010
Status
active
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
selective
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
Via Pro Contract ePortal - Reference number DN772396 https://procontract.due-north.com
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Expression Of Interest Deadline
24 Sept 2025, 12:00

Covered By

GPA

Procedure

Features
This competition is being conducted under the competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2) (a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This procurement is for the award of a utilities contract pursuant to section 6 and Schedule 4 to the Procurement Act 2023. The procurement process leading to the award of this MOMA2 agreement is anticipated to comprise two main stages: qualification and award. At the outcome of the first stage, qualification, TfGM will have established a shortlist of Candidates. TfGM intends to shortlist a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 Candidates (provided there are sufficient suitable Candidates). The evaluation methodology to be applied during this stage of the process is fully detailed in the PSQ document. TfGM will inform all Candidates who submit a completed PSQ response whether or not they have been shortlisted to receive an ITN. The award stage will commence with the issuing by TfGM of the ITN to each shortlisted Candidate, thereafter, referred to as "Tenderers". The documents making up the ITN will contain greater detail about the scope of services, the draft MOMA2 agreement, supporting material, and detailed information regarding the award process and award criteria. Prior to submitting a Tender (as defined in the ITN), each Tenderer will be invited to attend plenary session(s) with TfGM. The plenary session(s) will provide an opportunity for TfGM to present key aspects of the award process and the requirements of the MOMA2 agreement to all Tenderers. Following the plenary session(s), individual Tenderers will be invited (but not obliged) to attend one-to-one sessions with TfGM to discuss and negotiate on specific topics in relation to the requirements of the ITN, and the MOMA2 agreement. The plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions are intended to assist Tenderers to understand the award process, and TfGM's requirements for this procurement. Following the plenary session(s) and one-to-one sessions, each Tenderer will be invited to submit a tender for the MOMA2 agreement in accordance with the ITN (for completeness a finalised version of the ITN will be issued via the Pro Contract ePortal) Full timeline and evaluation and moderation detail are provided within the draft ITN that will be automatically issued with the PSQ document. TfGM reserves the right to refine the award criteria during the procurement process, pursuant to section 24 of the procurement act 2023, and following negotiation with tenderers and/or written negotiations. All tenderers will be notified of any such changes via the Pro Contract ePortal.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Expected award period

Ends
15 Jan 2027, 23:59

Communication

Future Notice Date
17 Jul 2025, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
Details are within the draft contract

Enquiry period

Ends
10 Sept 2025, 12:00

Special regime

utilities

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Additional Procurement Categories

works

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Options
Yes
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Amount
1,600,000,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,920,000,000

Options

Description
Service patterns and Capital works - Further and full detail will be provided within the procurement documentation once the process commences.

Renewal

Description
Optional extension of up to three years following initial seven years. Two emergency one year extension options, one after the initial seven years or one after the three year optional extension. Further and full detail are provided within the procurement documentation - draft ITN and draft contract . (Total maximum 11 years)

Second Stage

Maximum Candidates
4
Minimum Candidates
3

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Qualitative
Type
quality
Description
Qualitative elements as fully detailed within the draft ITN documentation

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Quantitative
Type
price
Description
Price criterion as fully detailed with the draft ITN documentation

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
24 Jul 2034, 23:59
Starts
25 Jul 2027, 00:00
Max Extent Date
25 Jul 2038, 00:59

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
Criterion 3
Description
Refer to the PSQ which provides full detail of the qualitative elements to be evaluated.
For Reduction
Yes

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
45000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Construction work
Entry 2
Id
50000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Repair and maintenance services
Entry 3
Id
60112000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Public road transport services
Entry 4
Id
60130000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Entry 5
Id
60210000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Public transport services by railways
Entry 6
Id
71314200
Scheme
CPV
Description
Energy-management services
Entry 7
Id
71540000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Construction management services
Entry 8
Id
71631470
Scheme
CPV
Description
Railway-track inspection services
Entry 9
Id
79420000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Management-related services
Entry 10
Id
98351000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Car park management services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
future
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Access Details
Free of charge and immediately available via the Pro Contract ePortal at the point of Market engagement and at tender - Reference DN772396 https://procontract.due-north.com
Entry 2
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 3
Id
L-1
Document Type
technicalSpecifications
Entry 4
Id
L-2
Document Type
technicalSpecifications
Entry 5
Id
L-3
Description
PSQ documentation Draft ITN Draft contract Via Pro Contract ePortal - Reference number DN772396 Documents will be freely available following issue of this Notice
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 6
Id
L-4
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 7
Id
044209-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
30 Jul 2025, 12:04

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
016695-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK3
Description
Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
24 Apr 2025, 10:24
Entry 2
Id
021885-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
15 May 2025, 15:50

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
30 Jun 2025, 23:59
Description
TfGM's current Metrolink Operating and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA) is nearing the end of its term, July 2027, as such TfGM are exploring options to procure a contracting partner for the network from July 2027. This involves conducting lessons learned on the current arrangements, highlighting successes and areas for improvement, while addressing the growing demands of Greater Manchester. This Market Sounding exercise will allow for a better understanding of the marketplace's capabilities in delivering the MOMA 2027 requirements.(Further detail is within the questionnaire) We anticipate that this market sounding exercise will follow the below sequence: • This preliminary market engagement notice (PME UK2) issued on 15th May 2025 via the Central Digital Platform and registered on ProContract DN772396. • This market engagement - Interested parties will need to express interest via ProContract and request the Market Engagement Documentation. https://procontract.due-north.com Project reference DN772396 Please use the messaging function within the project to confirm interest, documentation will be sent via this route. (If not already registered on Pro Contract you will need to register to access the project - registration is free). • Initially TfGM are holding a market engagement event on Tuesday 10th June in Manchester, (10am - 12noon). Interested parties may apply for a maximum of 3 places per supplier. Capacity is limited and will be restricted to potential bidders only. The event will be recorded and available online shortly afterwards. • Applications to attend the market engagement event must be received via the messaging function on Pro Contract by 1pm on Friday 23rd of May 2025. TfGM will confirm acceptance via this route and provide further event detail. • TfGM will, by Wednesday 28 May 2025, confirm the attendance list via ProContract. • Following an expression of interest through ProContract, TfGM will send, via ProContract, the Market Sounding Document and flyer. These documents contain background information of the opportunity, detailed information on the market engagement event and the market sounding questionnaire. • Suppliers expressing interest in this opportunity are requested to complete and return the market engagement questionnaire via the messaging function of Pro Contract by 5pm Friday 13th June 2025. • Suppliers responding to the questionnaire will be invited to an individual 1-hour online discussion with TfGM, to take place before Monday 30th June 2025.

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PNJQ-2746-NWYT
Name
Transport for Greater Manchester

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Locality
Manchester
Postal Code
M1 3BG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
2 Piccadilly Place

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PNJQ-2746-NWYT
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 2
Id
GB-COH-06172311
Name
NORTHSTAR CONSULTANCY LIMITED
Role Details
Consultancy support across all areas of the procurement and contract

Roles

procuringEntity

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
W1H 1DP
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
78 York Street

Details

Identifier

Id
06172311
Scheme
GB-COH

Contact

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
PDJV-5552-NCLP
Scheme
GB-PPON
Organisation 3
Id
GB-COH-OC307847
Name
DLA PIPER UK LLP
Role Details
Legal support

Roles

procuringEntity

Address

Region
UKI31
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
EC1A 4HT
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
160 Aldersgate Street

Identifier

Id
OC307847
Scheme
GB-COH

Contact

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
PMPT-8255-CHYG
Scheme
GB-PPON

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Manchester · UKD33 · M1 3BG · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKD · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-0506c2-2025-07-30T12:04:11+01:00Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ·