Contactless Bankcard Middle and Back Office

Tender description

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting suppliers of software solutions that enable contactless bankcard transaction processing compliant with bank card scheme Transit rules and token agnostic account based ticketing (including ITSO tokens) to provide information regarding their latest systems and capability. At this early stage, TfGM is seeking to gain a greater understanding of the range of solutions available, that can provide effective middle and back office service components, and any recent or expected innovation and development that should be considered in relation to contactless bankcard transaction processing and token agnostic account based ticketing (including ITSO tokens) generally. 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. Potential solutions will work in conjunction with an assortment of field equipment devices such as (platform validators, electronic ticketing machines, revenue Inspection Devices and other bank card reading devices) as well as the Merchant Acquirer and Payment Gateway service that is appointed by TfGM. Suppliers are also invited to provide indicative timescales for service implementation 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 Platform Validator infrastructure. Lot 1: 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. Additional information: 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.