Midlands Connect Specialist Technical Framework

A lot to support Midlands Connect with aspects of our technical programme in the field of technology and innovation. Topic areas will include (but not limited to): smart payment mechanisms, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, intelligent transport systems, open data and standards, etc.

A lot to support Midlands Connect with measuring the non-standard (i.e. beyond WebTAG) economic outputs from transport schemes and programmes. The lot will also include research into aspects of the economy which either have direct/indirect impacts on transport or from transport/connectivity.

A lot for small value commissions on niche specialisms to support and advise Midlands Connect in the development of our technical programme. Specialisms could include (but not limited to): freight and logistics, alternative fuels technology, economic analysis, land use modelling, environmental impact appraisal etc. A full list of identified specialisms will be supplied with the tender documents.

Under this lot we will commission multi-disciplinary projects spanning aspects such as: modelling, scheme design, options appraisal, prioritisation, etc. There is some cross-over with other lots on the framework, but only where a multi-disciplinary project requires a single team to undertake all tasks. For example, for a scheme business case any required transport modelling will be commissioned under this lot if it sits in a multi-disciplinary project; but stand-alone modelling requirements will be commissioned under other lots. It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice. As this is a framework agreement it is not known at this stage what the aggregate value of spend will be across the various lots.

The suppliers on this lot will provide support to Midlands Connect in the areas of highway modelling and appraisal which are not covered within the scope of the specified transport planning studies. This support can range from undertaking simple post-processing or presentation of model outputs to a more complex task of model rebasing and update. It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice.

Suppliers will provide support to Midlands Connect in modelling and appraising the impact of proposed changes in rail infrastructure and service provision. The expectation is that suppliers on this lot will be familiar with a variety of rail (and public transport) modelling techniques and software and will be able to apply these tools, as appropriate, both in the context of the development of specific business cases and the testing of broader options around strategic connectivity. It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice.

Midlands Connect wishes to appoint suitably skilled and innovative partners to a framework that supports the delivery of our exciting technology and innovation program. Appointed supplier(s) work will be focused on providing strategic and technical advice on the development and application of transport technologies including (but not limited to): 1) Smart Ticketing (like ITSO and Contactless), 2) Mobility as a Service (MaaS), 3) Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), 4) Internet of Things (IoT), 5) 5G and Associated Technologies, 6) Intelligent Transport Systems, 7) Digital Railway, 8) Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, 9) Alternative Fuel Technologies, 10) Open Data and Standards. It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice.

Suppliers on this lot will support Midlands Connect deliver an enhanced evidence base on the economic and social impacts of transport investment and policy options. It is intended that the outputs of this lot will move beyond the standard wider economic impacts specified by DfT’s TAG methodology generally forecast in the WITA software, whilst maintaining high standards of evidence based economic methodologies and robustness It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice.

Lot 6 is aimed at small value commissions across a number of topics where we may need to seek stand alone, niche specialist advice and support. The specialisms on this lot are: 1) alternative fuel technology and infrastructure solutions; including electric vehicle charging; 2) land use modelling; 3) environmental assessment, including aspects such as: — natural capital, — carbon quantification, — nature, biodiversity and ecology advice; 4) freight and logistics planning; 5) ‘Big data’ analysis and presentation; 6) funding and finance for transport infrastructure; including aspects such as: — green financing, — land value capture; 7) intelligent transport systems; including aspects such as: — future mobility solutions, — market analysis, — legislative frameworks for new technology, — highway efficiency technology; 8) rail capital cost assurance; 9) rail network performance modelling; 10) rail/light rail regulation and planning advice; 11) smart payment mechanisms; including aspects such as: — ITSO, — Contactless, — Mobility as a Service solutions; 12) economics advice; including aspects such as: — advice on transport appraisal and impact assessment, — wider economic benefits, — economic forecasting, — peer review of economic analysis; 13) transport and health; including aspects such as: — health impacts of transport mode shift, including active travel, — relationship between the health impacts of transport and economic outcomes. It is the intention of the WMCA that this framework be accessible to other local authorities in the Midlands area, these are referenced specifically in section VI.3) of this notice.