1. Introduction Transport for Greater Manchester oversees transport and travel across Greater Manchester, home of the UK s largest regional economy outside London and a diverse population of over 2.7 million residents and well-known as a centre of innovation, industry, education and culture. Our aim is to drive the growth of a healthy and sustainable Greater Manchester through the delivery of a reliable, integrated transport network, supporting and driving economic growth. We do this by working with Greater Manchester s 10 district authorities, public and private sector partners and national and regional government to keep Greater Manchester moving, connecting people with jobs, healthcare, education and leisure. We own and manage the Metrolink tram network, the ongoing expansion of which has seen it grow from 24 miles and 37 stops over three lines in April 2010 to seven lines today, totalling nearly 58 miles with 93 stops, plus a second, newly-built depot. A Second City Crossing across Manchester city centre is currently under construction. Proposals are in progress for a future extension to Port Salford, via the Trafford Centre. Around 33 million journeys are currently made on Metrolink every year. This is forecast to increase to 44 million journeys by 2019. We also build and manage bus stations and transport interchanges all over Greater Manchester, as well as installing and maintaining 12,000 bus shelters and stops and providing passengers with all the information they need to plan and make their journeys at stops, in Travelshops, at bus stations, online, via Traveline and in over 3,700 outlets across the region. We work with bus operators to ensure that buses are serving the right people in the right areas, and to a high standard. This includes subsidising free or concessionary fares for those who need them most, and subsidising and contracting bus routes which are not provided commercially but are socially valuable to the communities they serve. In total, over 225 million bus journeys are made in Greater Manchester every year. In Manchester city centre, Rochdale, Bolton and Stockport, we work with local authorities and other partners to provide Metroshuttle bus services. These services are free for anyone to use, and form convenient links for passengers between key rail stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses. We are a key partner in Rail North, and we carry out strategic rail policies focused on meeting local and business needs. Greater Manchester s rail services account for 25 million journeys each year, with around 21,000 passengers travelling in the morning peak.
Our responsibilities also extend beyond public transport. For example, we manage the road network and co-ordinate maintenance, investment and strategic modelling to keep traffic flowing in one the UK s busiest conurbations. We also install and maintain traffic signals and oversee local road safety issues. We are committed to encouraging people to travel sustainably, improving health and the environment, through projects and initiatives to encourage cycling and walking. And through broadband provision, we aim to make Greater Manchester one of the world s top 20 digital cities by 2020, with all the obvious business and commercial benefits that brings: connecting people and businesses is not just about modes of transport. We have a proven track record of delivering high-profile, large-scale, value-for-money schemes and leading successful funding bids. For example, the 1.4bn expansion of the Metrolink network has been the lynchpin of regeneration in several locations, including Oldham, Rochdale and East Manchester, and the MediaCity spur has been key to the success of the BBC s flagship MediaCityUK development at Salford Quays. We re also delivering modern, safe, integrated transport interchanges with excellent customer facilities at Rochdale, Bolton, Altrincham and Wythenshawe, working with local authorities who recognise the essential role that transport plays in encouraging town centres to thrive, with all the economic and social benefits that brings. Currently, we re overseeing a bus priority package that includes improvements to the region s most important bus routes, as well as a completely new, fast, reliable busway from Leigh to Manchester city centre. This includes a guided section for specially adapted buses to avoid traffic congestion, opening up opportunities for regular, direct, high quality transport links between Leigh, Manchester and beyond for the first time. With funding sources including central government, district authorities and the European Union, we are currently running major sustainable transport schemes that will reduce carbon emissions, improve the health of the region s population and reduce congestion, as well as helping people get back to work. Our Travel Choices programme involves working with Job Centres, businesses and other partners to make people aware of their different options for travelling to work or education, whether by using public transport or commuting by bike: we ve even provided cycle training to teach beginners to ride bikes for the first time, and to help more experienced cyclists ride more safely and confidently on the roads,. And our Cycle Hubs, which provide cyclists with secure bike storage, showers, lockers and even bike maintenance shops, are being built in key locations across the region. We re also heavily involved in rail improvements across Greater Manchester, working with Network Rail and train operating companies to secure 580m from central
government for the Northern Hub rail improvement scheme. The next step will be to get Greater Manchester ready for HS2. And as well as services and infrastructure, we re investing in a smart ticketing system that will revolutionise the way customers pay for fares and ticket products. Called get me there, the system will use a touch-in, touch-out smart card system and contactless bank cards. The system will be rolled out progressively on Metrolink, then on buses, and subsequently on the rail network. The GM Agreement between Greater Manchester and central government gives Greater Manchester a broad set of devolved powers, including health and social care, business support, spatial planning and, most importantly for TfGM, transport. This gives TfGM the ability to transform transport connectivity across all modes, giving residents and businesses the infrastructure and services they need for the city region to thrive and flourish. It means Greater Manchester can develop its full potential as a modern, vibrant and prosperous city region that can compete on an international stage. Devolution has also made TfGM a key player in Transport for the North, unique partnership between the northern city regions, the government and the national transport agencies. In March 2015, Transport for the North published The Northern Powerhouse: One Agenda, One Economy, One North, a strategy for transforming transport for passengers and freight across the whole of the north of England. As Greater Manchester continues to prosper at the heart of the north of England, and its contribution to the wider UK economy expands, we will continue to form new partnerships and build on our past successes to make sure that transport whether by bus, rail or tram, on bikes, on foot or by road not only supports but accelerates and enables growth. 2. Procurement in TfGM 2.1 Procurement Responsibilities At Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) we understand our responsibility is to ensure that we spend public finances fairly, reasonably and deliver best value for money. To do this we aim to make it as easy and transparent for our present and future partners to work with us to deliver enhanced value and continuous improvement. To ensure this happens Procurement s role within TfGM is to support the organisation to: procure goods, services and works at the right quality; achieve the best value whole life cost; purchase the most economic quantities ensuring they are available when needed; Ensure compliance with all necessary regulations including EU public procurement of goods, services and works.
But that is only part of the story as we are instrumental in driving the economic growth of Greater Manchester. Over the next two decades Greater Manchester will see significant population growth and with that growth major changes are needed in transport infrastructure and to encourage the shift from private to public transport. As almost all our services are delivered through third party suppliers, Procurement within TfGM are at the heart of Greater Manchester s ambitious development. 2.2 Procurement Policy and Process The table below illustrates the procurement approach taken for all values of expenditure. 100 - < 1,000: Two verbal quotations are to be sought. The preferred payment method for this value of expenditure is via a Procurement credit card. 1,000 - < 50,000: Three written quotations to be obtained, however it isn t uncommon for tender exercises to be carried out between these values. Over 50,000: A formal tender exercise is to be carried out. Over OJEU threshold for contract or aggregation of goods/services in a 12 month period: By European law Transport for Greater Manchester are required to advertise in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), any expenditure over 164,176 per contract or aggregation of goods/services in a 12 month period. TfGM advertise OJEU notices on Tenders Electronic Daily, potential suppliers are to express an interest via the method described within the notice; this expression of interest may be followed by a pre-qualification and tender exercise. Over OJEU threshold for contract works: Similar to the procurement of goods and services over a certain value, the procurement of works over 4,104,394 by EU law is required to be advertised by OJEU notice. Again OJEU notices can be found on Tenders Electronic Daily.
All procurements are to be carried out electronically by our e-tendering system, Pro- Contract. Read section Welcome to E-Tendering for more info. 3. Working with TfGM 3.1 Welcome to E-Tendering As part of TfGM S initiative to drive continuous improvement and efficiency, an E- Tendering system provided by Due North, called Pro-Contract is used for all procurement activity. TfGM are working in partnership with Due North and AGMA to ensure that an environmentally friendly and more efficient tender process is undertaken. To ensure you can take advantage of the opportunities for business that TfGM have to offer, please register online via the 'Suppliers Area' by clicking the link below: https://www.the-chest.org.uk By registering your company details you will receive information about TfGM s procurement activities which will enable you to express your interest against opportunities of interest online. You will automatically receive e-mail updates on procurement activities that match your selected capabilities, and send/receive tender documentation quickly and securely. Companies requiring any assistance in the registration process should contact Due north by e-mail and/or telephone: E-mail: support@due-north.com Telephone: 01670 597 137 3.2 How we work with suppliers TfGM uses the purchase to pay system SAP to place orders with suppliers. Responsible Procurement: Social Value Charter TfGM recognises that key to responsible procurement is the balance between achieving value for money and the delivery of social value, in a manner which takes into account of ethical, social equality and inclusion, environmental and sustainability factors TfGM expects similar behaviours and performance standards of all suppliers. With this in mind TfGM will work with its suppliers and their supply chains to develop their procurement processes that encourage and drive continuous improvement in all areas of responsible procurement.
Payment Terms TfGM payment terms are 30 days from the receipt of invoice. Where to submit invoices All invoices are processed centrally and therefore MUST be submitted to the following address: FAO Accounts Payable Transport for Greater Manchester 2 Piccadilly Place Manchester. M1 3BG DO NOT: Carry out any work on behalf of or for TfGM without a valid purchase order Send invoices to anybody within TfGM other than the address listed above. (We do however encourage our suppliers to send a draft invoice/delivery note to the person named on the Purchase Order, this is to enable internal receipting processes to be carried out in preparation for our Accounts Payable team to process your invoice.) Invoice Processing Please be advised that in order for TfGM to issue payment of supplier invoices, we ask that you ensure the purchase order number (starting with 350 ) is referenced on the invoice. Failure to do so may delay payment. Payment Method The majority of all payments are made through BACS. Contact Us FAO: Transport for Greater Manchester Procurement 2 Piccadilly Place Manchester. M1 3BG Email: procurement@tfgm.com