Free-Flow Charging Package C: Non-UK Enforcement Services

National Highways is procuring (as a procurement agent on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, as described in the National Highways framework document Annex C paragraph 2) a second generation free-flow charging service solution for the existing Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing road user charging scheme. A road user charge has been collected at this crossing since 2003 to manage the high demand for its use.

National Highways' second generation free-flow charging service solution will be contracted through 3 main packages, each under a separate contract notice. This contract notice is for Non-UK Enforcement Services (Package C) as part of the overall free-flow charging service solution.

The other proposed elements of the free-flow charging solution are Road User Charging Services (Package A) and UK Enforcement Services (Package B). Package A and B were subject to separate contract notices and separate procurement exercises and contracts were awarded in April 2021.

The contract will cover the management of enforcement activities where the person liable resides outside of the United Kingdom, including penalty charge notice payment processing, website provision and merchant acquirer services.

The Package C contract will deliver the implementation of a new solution and transition of existing data within 7 months of the contract commencement date, anticipated to be April 2022.

Key elements of the service will include the provision of revenue protection services covering the enforcement lifecycle, including:

• handling penalty charge records for contravention candidates and identifying the persons liable, • issuing and recovering penalty charge notices, • managing and supporting the full scope of representations and appeals in the enforcement lifecycle, and • interfacing with debt registration organisations.

The service will also comprise of payment processing, in addition to financial reconciliation, banking, a payment gateway, and accounting services related to the road user charging scheme.

The service will also require the provision of a customer support offering, utilising a suite of contact channels for managing communications (e.g. enquiries, complaints, Freedom of Information requests).

In addition, the service provider will be required to output management information to a new National Highways data platform (currently in development).

Additional information: To access the procurement documents, economic operators should register for a free eSourcing account at:

https://highways.bravosolution.co.uk

Once economic operators have received their log in details, economic operators should log in and click the 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link and select the listing under reference number 6477. Economic operators should review the introductory page to the ITT and click 'Express Interest' to continue (this will move the ITT to your 'My ITTs' page, which is a secure area reserved for your projects only). Economic operators can access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'ITT Details' box.

Economic operators can use the 'Messages' function to communicate with National Highways and seek any clarification. To respond to this call for competition, click 'My Response' under 'ITT Details', and select 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond'. If you require any further assistance, economic operators should contact the eSourcing helpdesk on +44 8000698630 or [email protected]

This contract notice (and the associated procurement documents) are published in good faith. No warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in it.

Any liability for inaccuracy or incompleteness is expressly disclaimed by National Highways and its advisors. Economic operators are advised to satisfy themselves that they understand all the requirements of the contract and procurement exercise before submitting their request to participate.

Nothing in this contract notice (and the associated procurement documents) will be taken as constituting an offer (whether implied or otherwise), or any agreement, whether express or implied between National Highways and any other party.

National Highways reserves the right to cancel, amend or vary the procurement exercise at any point prior to the award of the contract (whole or in part) and with no liability on its part. National Highways and/or its advisors are not liable for any costs resulting from any amendment or cancellation of this procurement exercise nor any other costs, charges, fees, expenses, claims or disbursements (howsoever arising and including third party costs) incurred by those economic operators submitting a request to participate for this contract. Economic operators submit a request to participate at their own risk and expense.