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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

P-3265 Bus Real Time & Supporting Services

Translink · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 09:29.

Opportunity overview

Translink seek to engage with suppliers that can provide a suitable solution for a comprehensive Real-Time Bus tracking, prediction generation, operational and historical monitoring, display content and management solution across its Metro and Ulsterbus Fleet (c. 1660 buses). The solution will be used by Bus Service Operators to effectively monitor and manage Bus fleet related operations in real time as well as Passenger Information and Communication throughout Northern Ireland. Translink require the system to be capable of interfacing with on-street and on-board non-proprietary hardware through RTIG-T047 protocol, ensuring the provision of RTPI on existing Metro, Glider, and Ulsterbus services continues without interruption. Additionally, suppliers will be required to provide all necessary maintenance services. Before embarking on a tender process, we wish to engage with the marketplace to gather information which will be used to inform the sourcing strategy for this contract and thus, the procurement process. We are therefore seeking to engage with experienced Real Time Passenger Information and associated providers, which are capable of fulfilling the requirements listed above. It is anticipated that this contract will commence Q2 2027. Our requirements include, but are not limited to the following: · An open data approach to enable integration to ensure interoperability with other client systems to enhance data flow and automate manual processes. · Integrate with future systems and journey planners. · Provide comprehensive maintenance services for on-street and on-board hardware. · Ensure minimal quantity and frequency of faults and maintain the serviceability of the system. · Fleet Management & Live Vehicle Tracking. · Provide a predictive analysis solution that can support decision-making for control room staff · Driver Interface & Public Address system for Glider. · Performance and Management Reporting. · Provide drivers with intelligence on service performance and communication options. · Provide accurate and timely information about bus arrivals and departures at stops. · Provide on street display content management services. · Facilitate automated audio-visual next stop announcements on vehicles, configurable to multiple languages and tailored branded graphics. · Improve disruption management including passenger messaging. · Support future methods for providing information to passengers. · Implement a solution compatible with RTIG national standards for Traffic Signal Priority.

Classification

  • CPV34121000 — Buses and coaches
  • CPV48100000 — Industry specific software package

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

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
P-3265
Status
planning
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
goods

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Communication

Future Notice Date
1 Sept 2026, 23:59

Special regime

utilities

Additional Procurement Categories

services

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning
Has Renewal
Yes

Contract period

Ends
1 Apr 2032, 23:59
Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Max Extent Date
1 Apr 2035, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKN
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
34121000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Buses and coaches
Entry 2
Id
48100000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Industry specific software package

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
057813-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
18 Sept 2025, 15:37

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
31 Oct 2025, 23:59
Description
Translink will issue a Pre Market Engagement questionnaire and invite suitable companies to present during October 2025. Requests to participate AND for copies of the Pre Market Engagement questionnaire please email Tori.Croft@Translink.co.uk

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PTMT-7134-NRMV
Name
Translink

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKN06
Country
GB
Locality
Belfast
Postal Code
BT2 7LX
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
22 Great Victoria Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicUndertaking
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public undertaking
Entry 2
Id
GB-NIR
Scheme
UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS
Description
Northern Irish devolved regulations apply

Identifier

Id
PTMT-7134-NRMV
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Belfast · UKN06 · BT2 7LX · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKN · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-059d6a-2025-09-18T15:37:07+01:00Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·