Solent Transport - Future Transport Zone - Dynamic Purchasing System - Lot 6 (Transport Modelling)

Descriptions

The main purpose of this Lot is for the maintenance, operation and future re-development of Solent Transport's SRTM strategic transport model. The key skills and activities to be delivered via this Lot are summarised below:, OPERATION OF THE SRTM, Operation and maintenance of the SRTM on behalf of Solent Transport, undertaking all studies and projects ("commissions") requested by Solent Transport on behalf of clients. The client base will include:, •Solent Transport , •Transport planning, major schemes and development planning teams at our Member LTAs (HCC, SCC, PCC, IWC), and their consultants, •Local Planning Authorities in the Solent area, and their consultants, •Strategic transport infrastructure providers such as Highways England, Network Rail, the Ports and Airport, and their consultants, •Private sector developers and their consultants, •Other public and private sector agencies, for example Universities, Connected Places Catapult, etc- for a variety of purposes including research, monitoring & evaluation and other data extraction, Suppliers will need significant expertise using the following specific tools and platforms used by the SRTM model suite:, •SATURN Highway assignment model (RTM), •CUBE Voyager (PTM), •CUBE Matrix software (GDM), •Complex SQL databases and C++ programming language (utilised by Custom model for MDM), •The LEIM and Land Use Model utilised by SRTM is a custom model ("DELTA") developed/ operated by David Simmonds Consultancy (DSC). The Consultant for operation of SRTM is likely to need to engage with / partner with DSC for operation of this element of SRTM. , •Linked standard tools which are used for processing of various SRTM inputs and outputs - including TUBA, COBALT, TEMPRO. , Suppliers will also need to have extensive skills, expertise and resources in the following fields: , •Use of spreadsheets, database tools, GIS, and other data visualisation methods for further analysis, presentation of outputs and preparation of written technical reports, •Conducting modelling and appraisal in line with DfT WebTAG guidance, •Experience of undertaking multi-modal, strategic transport modelling and appraisal to support a variety of types of project / purposes including strategy and scheme business case development; funding bids; policy interventions such as Clean Air Zones; and land use changes (eg local plans, planning applications). , •Provision of expert technical advice to inform /support clients (and potential clients) on commissions including of the above types. This may sometimes include provision of suitably qualified individuals to act as expert witnesses at Public Enquiries (Planning Applications) and Examinations in Public (Local Plans). , •Extensive skills in collection and analysis of primary data for the model, eg traffic surveys, journey time surveys, other transport user surveys eg PT passenger counts, land use data, economic data to support maintenance and updates, •Access to/experience of other transport models and tools in order to support activities required in some projects - particularly local junction models (eg ARCADY, PICADY, LINSIG) and traffic micro-simulation models (eg VISSIM, Paramics). , •Sector experience to support liaisons with DfT and other sector stakeholders and specialists as required, •Project management experience, and experience of managing large/complex programmes of work. , Many commissions generate follow up work in the form of further investigations, data extraction, answering of queries etc., Operation of the model also includes undertaking any minor updates of the model (Reference Case updates etc.)., ADMINISTRATION OF MODEL OPERATION, The consultants will be required to support administration of the Model through regular reporting of progress on each commission, on a weekly basis via a central shared client managements spreadsheet, and on a regular basis (approximately four times per year), face to face with the client, with further project/issue specific meetings and discussions as required., Solent Transport at present is responsible for receiving purchase orders and raising invoices to/from end users, and pass-through of task orders and invoicing/payments to the Consultant operating the model. Solent Transport also provide information and publicity for the model vial our website. , We are however open to the possibility of the Consultant taking on many of these activities on our behalf on an open-book basis (i.e. consultant directly receiving POs/ raising invoices to clients and undertaking day-to-day financial administration of the model), possibly for a small fee., MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODEL, Activities in respect of maintaining and developing the model includes but is not limited to:, •Update of land use, highway schemes etc. in the model Reference cases on an approximately 12-24 monthly basis, •Validation of the model outputs against recorded data, often locally (e.g. area of interest for specific studies using model) but sometimes at a wider area (e.g. potential for occasional model-wide "present year validation" exercises), •Calibration of the model to address/ameliorate any issues identified through validation, •Update of other model inputs and variables as required, e.g. WebTAG data book values, growth factors, software updates, development of new types of output if required etc., FUTURE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODEL, The 2015/2019 base STRTM is approaching the end of its likely lifespan and future re-development of the model is expected to be required when circumstances (establishment of a stable post-Covid "new normal" for travel and transport, including international travel via the Solent's international "gateways") permit. At present this is anticipated this will be undertaken in 2023. , It is anticipated that future re-development of the SRTM will be commissioned through Lot 6 of the FTZ DPS during its lifetime via future mini-competition. It is expected that one of the following options will be utilised:, •A potential re-base of the existing model system, updating model base traffic, PT model etc. data to 2022 (a "do minimum" type upgrade, the scope of which will need to achieve best benefit against a limited budget), •A major rebuild of the model incorporating base data collection as above and transition of the model to a new platform if this can offer potential improvements in quality of outputs and/or cost of operation (a "don more" type upgrade, the commissioning of which would depend on additional budget and/or cost savings in operation being found), The task of carrying out a major update to the SRTM model, or potentially a complete re-build/transition to a new platform will require additional skills, experience and capabilities. Skills and experience in, and/or the potential to develop improved capabilities in the following areas of interest could be advantageous:, •A "sandbox" mode (a reduced resolution and functionality version of the model hosted on a local PC or via a web interface, with a simple user interface) allowing much simpler quick/basic model tests, •New or different model time periods eg weekends , •Use of a multi-level model platform that can flex between micro-, meso- and macro-levels as appropriate , •Integrated air + noise modelling capabilities, •Improved modelling of freight transport, active modes, and new and emerging modes of travel such as connected & autonomous vehicles , OTHER POTENTIAL SERVICES/OPPORTUNITIES TO BE COMMISSIONED VIA THIS LOT:, There may additional opportunities that arise as a result of some of the Solent Future Transport Zone projects, opportunities for other specialist modelling support linked to SRTM projects (e.g. "follow on" or associated studies such as local modelling for scheme development), and/or other Solent area Local Authority requirements which could be procured via this Lot. Additional relevant skills & capabilities could include:, •Development/use of more localised or specialist models e.g. junction models, microsimulation models, and potentially specialist transport models such as public transport, pedestrian, cycle, or public space models, and study projects associated with these , •Environmental modelling, including air quality and noise , •Specialist freight modelling, for example modelling of consolidated delivery methods, •Other specialist transport modelling and forecasting activities, FIRST CALL-OFF FROM LOT 6, It is anticipated that the first call-off from this Lot will be a mini-competition to select a consultant for the continued operation of the 2015/2019 base SRTM for the remainder of its life., To streamline this process, the council will simultaneously establish the Lot and run a sifting brief for this mini-competition., Suppliers are invited to:, •Submit an application for a position on Lot 6, or, •Submit an application for a position on Lot 6 and supporting evidence demonstrating their relevant experience in order to be shortlisted to receive the invitation to mini-competition for the first call-off, It is anticipated that the value of this call-off will be in the region of £500,000 to £700,000 per annum., The initial term of the contract will be for 12 months, with the option to extend, in increments to be agreed, to a maximum term of 4 years., Applications for both Lot 6 and the sifting brief are due by the closing date - 16:00 on 5th November 2021.