Mobile Application Shell Delivery Requirements

TfGM requires an extension of its current agreement with Softwire Ltd to maintain continuity of service for its BeeApp mobile application and to facilitate a low-risk, phased handover to an internal TfGM team when in place. The original contract was awarded to Softwire Technology Limited following a mini-competition under the Crown Commercial Service's Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 (DOS5) framework agreement (RM1043.7), Lot 1.

The procurement was conducted by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in full compliance with the framework terms and was established to cover the design, development, and early operational support of the Bee Network mobile application. The Bee Network App forms a key element of TfGM's customer-facing digital proposition.

It supports sustainable travel across Greater Manchester by enabling users to access real-time travel information, plan multimodal journeys, and interact with the wider Bee Network transport system. The app has become a high-profile and critical tool in delivering a seamless and integrated public transport experience to users.

The contract is structured around a Statement of Work (SOW) mechanism, with all work commissioned via TfGM-approved SOWs under agreed Time and Materials (T&M) rates. This ensures clear scope definition, milestone control, and cost transparency.

It was originally envisaged that the initial term (two-year) contract period would cover both the initial development and a short operational phase, with responsibility for all further development and maintenance of the app transitioning thereafter to an internal team within TfGM, however, the establishment of the internal capability has been delayed. As a result, TfGM is seeking to extend the current agreement with Softwire Ltd for a short, time-limited period of time to maintain continuity of service and facilitate a low-risk, phased handover to TfGM once the internal team is in place.