Technical Delivery and Support Provider

In February 2016, Defra and DfT established a Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) to oversee the delivery of the government's plan for tackling NO2 (Nitrogen Oxide) compliance.

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) defines an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality and resources are prioritised and coordinated in order to shape the urban environment in a way that delivers improved health benefits and supports economic growth.

Clean Air Zones aim to address all sources of pollution, including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, and reduce public exposure to them using a range of measures tailored to the location.

Clean Air Zones bring together local measures to deliver immediate action to improve air quality and health with support for cities to grow while delivering sustained reductions in pollution and a transition to a low emission economy. Where there are the most persistent pollution problems, this is supported by restrictions to encourage only the cleanest vehicles to operate in the city.

Charging Clean Air Zones are being introduced for individual users to pay a charge to drive into, or move within, a designated zone if they are driving a vehicle that does not meet the particular standard in that zone.

The CAZ central service being implemented by JAQU and is made up of a Digital Solution, a customer facing Contact Centre (delivered by DVLA) and Penalties and Enforcements (managed by Local Authorities).

With the current contract expiring in 2021, The Secretary of State for Transport requires a supplier to provide a high-quality service to JAQU, Local Authorities, Fleet Operators, Users and all other stakeholders of the CAZ Digital Solution.

The scope of the new contract could include but not limited to:-

-Transition of the existing digital solution -Support and Maintenance of the digital solution -Technical Delivery -Technical Development -Onboarding of Local Authorities to utilise the CAZ service -Hosting of the central service -Testing -Incident Management -Management Information and Reporting

We intend to hold a supplier event on Thursday 18th February 2021. The aim is to share more detail on the above requirement, gauge the level of interest in the market and to use your expertise to inform the specification.

To register your interest in attending please email [email protected] by Monday 15th February.

Please note, this Prior Information Notice does not imply any commitment and is not a call for competition. We are assessing the market interest in providing the services required. Without sufficient interest the tendering exercise may be aborted.

Should we proceed, the invitation to tender will be the subject to a separate notice and it is that notice to which potential suppliers will need to respond at the appropriate time. All relevant information will be contained within that notice, including how to apply for the opportunity.