NTA Awards €11.3 Million Technical Services Framework for Transport Technology Projects

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has awarded an €11.3 million framework for technical services to multiple specialist firms including SYSTRA, AECOM, BLIC GmbH, and others. The five-lot framework covers Next Generation Ticketing, AVL, Smart DRT, Bus Operations Systems, and Transport Data projects, running for 48 months.

Introduction

Modern transport systems rely on sophisticated technology to deliver efficient, reliable, and user-friendly services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for developing and implementing transport technology projects across Ireland's public transport network.

To support these initiatives, the NTA has established a framework of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across five lots. The framework, valued at up to €11.3 million, covers Next Generation Ticketing, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), Smart Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT), Bus Operations Systems, and Transport Data projects. Multiple specialist firms have been appointed across the lots, including SYSTRA, AECOM, BLIC GmbH, and others.

This procurement ensures that the NTA has access to specialist technical expertise to deliver its transport technology projects.

Why This Contract Matters

Transport technology projects are complex and require specialist expertise. This framework provides the NTA with access to a pool of qualified experts across multiple technical domains.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports transport modernisation: Enables delivery of Next Generation Ticketing, AVL, Smart DRT, and other projects
• Access to specialist expertise: Subject Matter Experts in transport technology
• Significant value: Up to €11.3 million framework
• Five specialist lots: Covering key transport technology areas
• Quality-focused: Quality weighting of 60%
• International participation: Firms from Ireland, UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands
• Flexible framework: With reopening of competition for call-offs

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 14 August 2026 (OJ S 156/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: bf41933e-d624-4d13-b1a2-88bbb5b6528b-02
• Contract concluded: 5 August 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 48 months from start

Contract Overview

The National Transport Authority conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The framework covers the provision of technical services by Subject Matter Experts across five lots.

Key features include:

• Five lots: NGT Project SMEs, NG-AVL Project SMEs, Smart DRT Project SMEs, Bus Operations Systems SMEs, Transport Data SMEs
• Total maximum value: €11,307,000
• Duration: 48 months
• Evaluation: Quality (60%) and Price (40%)
• Framework type: With reopening of competition
• Winners: Multiple specialist firms (see table below)

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	National Transport Authority (NTA)
Contract subject	Technical services for transport technology projects (CPV 71356000)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total maximum value (EUR)	€11,307,000.00
Number of lots	5
Framework duration	48 Months
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (60%), Price (40%)
Framework type	With reopening of competition

Project Scope

The framework covers technical services across five lots for transport technology projects:

Lot 1: NGT (Next Generation Ticketing) Project SMEs

• Description: Subject Matter Experts for Next Generation Ticketing projects
• Maximum value: €3,672,000
• Winners (6): Renascent Tech Ltd, FirstPartner Ltd, BLIC GmbH, GemPro ApS, SYSTRA Limited, AECOM Ireland Ltd
• Bids received: 8

Lot 2: NG-AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) Project SMEs

• Description: Subject Matter Experts for Next Generation AVL projects
• Maximum value: €3,045,000
• Winners (6): Lekong, Technimble Limited, BLIC GmbH, SYSTRA Limited, Eagle Nine Limited, Hymek Consulting Ltd
• Bids received: 8

Lot 3: Smart DRT (Demand-Responsive Transport) Project SMEs

• Description: Subject Matter Experts for Smart Demand-Responsive Transport projects
• Maximum value: €1,440,000
• Winners (3): Rebel Payments Mobility and Insights NL BV, Eagle Nine Limited, AECOM Ireland Ltd
• Bids received: 4

Lot 4: Bus Operations Systems SMEs

• Description: Subject Matter Experts for Bus Operations Systems
• Maximum value: €2,100,000
• Winners (4): Lekong, Technimble Limited, BLIC GmbH, Eagle Nine Limited
• Bids received: 5

Lot 5: Transport Data SMEs

• Description: Subject Matter Experts for Transport Data projects
• Maximum value: €1,050,000
• Winners (6): Renascent Tech Ltd, Compass Informatics Ltd, Technimble Limited, BLIC GmbH, SYSTRA Limited, AECOM Ireland Ltd
• Bids received: 6

About the Contracting Authority

National Transport Authority (NTA) is the Irish public body responsible for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure and services. The NTA oversees transport technology projects including ticketing systems, vehicle tracking, data systems, and smart mobility solutions.

About the Winning Companies

Multiple specialist firms have been appointed across the five lots:

• SYSTRA Limited – Large UK-based transport consultancy (Lots 1, 2, 5)
• AECOM Ireland Ltd – Large Irish-based transport consultancy (Lots 1, 3, 5)
• BLIC GmbH – Small German transport technology firm (Lots 1, 2, 4, 5)
• Technimble Limited – Micro Irish tech firm (Lots 2, 4, 5)
• Eagle Nine Limited – Micro UK-based firm (Lots 2, 3, 4)
• Lekong – Micro Irish firm (Lots 2, 4)
• Renascent Tech Ltd – Micro Irish firm (Lots 1, 5)
• Compass Informatics Ltd – Medium Irish data firm (Lot 5)
• Rebel Payments Mobility and Insights NL BV – Small Dutch firm (Lot 3)
• FirstPartner Ltd – Micro UK firm (Lot 1)
• GemPro ApS – Micro Danish firm (Lot 1)
• Hymek Consulting Ltd – Micro UK firm (Lot 2)

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Strong competition with 4-8 bids per lot.
• Evaluation criteria: Quality (60%) and Price (40%). The heavy weighting on quality reflects the importance of technical expertise and experience.
• International participation: Winners from Ireland, UK, Germany, Denmark, and Netherlands.
• SME participation: Many micro and small enterprises won lots.
• Flexible framework: With reopening of competition for call-offs.
• Specialist focus: Each lot covers a specific transport technology domain.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• Framework agreements with reopening of competition were used.
• 4-8 bids per lot.
• Winners include micro, small, medium, and large enterprises.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• Supports NTA's transport technology projects.

Market & Industry Perspective

The transport technology consultancy market is competitive, with a mix of large international firms (SYSTRA, AECOM) and smaller specialist firms (BLIC, Technimble, Eagle Nine). Public sector frameworks provide important opportunities for both large and small firms.

Key trends in this market include:

• Digitalisation: Growing investment in ticketing, AVL, and data systems
• Smart mobility: Demand-Responsive Transport and MaaS (Mobility as a Service)
• Data-driven: Transport data and analytics are increasingly important
• SME participation: SMEs compete effectively with larger firms
• International competition: Firms from across Europe compete for Irish contracts

Economic Significance

At up to €11.3 million, this framework represents a significant investment in transport technology expertise. The contract supports:

• Transport modernisation: Enables delivery of Next Generation Ticketing, AVL, and Smart DRT
• Irish and international firms: Supports firms from Ireland, UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands
• SME participation: Many micro and small enterprises benefit
• Innovation: Access to specialist expertise drives innovation

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Call-offs: Individual projects under the framework
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered after 48 months
• Other transport projects: Additional transport technology initiatives
• Other public bodies: Similar frameworks by other public sector bodies

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this framework is awarded, future opportunities exist for transport technology consultants:

• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Call-offs: Individual projects under the framework
• Other public bodies: Similar frameworks by other public sector bodies
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered after 48 months

What Businesses Should Watch

• NTA's procurement notices for transport technology projects
• Call-off opportunities under the framework
• Emerging transport technologies (MaaS, autonomous vehicles, AI)
• Irish transport policy developments
• EU transport technology funding programmes

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This technical services framework is a significant procurement for Ireland's transport sector. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €11.3 million across five specialist lots
• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 60%
• International participation: Firms from five countries appointed
• SME success: Many micro and small enterprises won lots
• Strategic importance: Supports key transport technology projects

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality: Demonstrating technical expertise and experience (60% of evaluation)
• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 40% of evaluation
• Specialist expertise: Deep knowledge in specific transport technology domains
• International presence: Firms from across Europe can compete
• SME credentials: Micro and small firms can compete effectively

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate quality and expertise—60% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing—price accounts for 40%
• Develop specialist expertise in specific transport technology domains
• Consider international opportunities in the Irish market
• Monitor NTA for call-off opportunities and future frameworks
• Build relationships with Irish public sector buyers

Key Takeaways

• NTA awarded an €11.3 million technical services framework for transport technology projects
• 5 lots covering NGT, AVL, Smart DRT, Bus Operations Systems, and Transport Data
• Winners: SYSTRA, AECOM, BLIC, Technimble, Eagle Nine, and others
• Evaluation: Quality (60%), Price (40%)
• 4-8 bids per lot
• Duration: 48 months
• International participation: Ireland, UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands
• Many SME winners

Conclusion

This technical services framework represents a significant investment in Ireland's transport technology capabilities. By appointing multiple specialist firms across five lots, the NTA ensures access to a broad range of expertise for Next Generation Ticketing, AVL, Smart DRT, Bus Operations Systems, and Transport Data projects.

The 60% quality weighting reflects the importance of technical expertise and experience in delivering complex transport technology projects. The strong international participation—with firms from Ireland, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands—demonstrates the attractiveness of the Irish transport technology market.

As Ireland continues to modernise its public transport systems, this framework will support the delivery of innovative, user-friendly transport technology solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the National Transport Authority?

Ans: The Irish public body responsible for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure and services.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: Up to €11,307,000 across all five lots.

Q: What are the five lots?

Ans: NGT Project SMEs, NG-AVL Project SMEs, Smart DRT Project SMEs, Bus Operations Systems SMEs, Transport Data SMEs.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: Multiple firms including SYSTRA, AECOM, BLIC GmbH, Technimble, Eagle Nine, and others.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (60%) and Price (40%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 48 months.

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: 4-8 bids per lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 564905-2026, OJ S 156/2026, published 14 August 2026.