Wheels to Work - Early Market Engagement

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) was created in April 2016 and its purpose is to drive economic growth and job creation in the Tees Valley. It is a partnership of five authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership, wider business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy.

Tees Valley's Strategic Economic Plan The SEP describes the importance of creating a high-quality environment where people and businesses thrive. Tees Valley is one of the most carbon intense regions in the UK, with emissions per capita over twice the national average largely due to the level of heavy industry in the area.

In order to combat this, there is a clear challenge to ensure that TVCA does everything feasible to reduce carbon emissions from transport. The Strategic Transport Plan The Tees Valley Strategic Transport Plan emphasises the need to reduce carbon emissions, enhance and protect the natural and built environment, and improve air quality.

The plan articulates the need to facilitate the development of a comprehensive EVCP network and other activity to promote the uptake of electric vehicles. Current Wheels to Work trial project Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is seeking to extend the Wheels to Work (TVW2W) scheme for a further three years following a successful three-year trial period and transition to an all-electric fleet.

TVCA is seeking to appoint a delivery partner to supply a fleet of e-motorbikes and to manage all aspects of the scheme, including engagement with scheme participants, vehicle maintenance and storage. The scheme must be operated and maintained by the delivery partner and there will be no obligation on TVCA in relation to these activities.

TVCA would like to gather soft intelligence from the market and feedback on the scope of services proposed via a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI including a draft specification can be accessed via the Pro-contract portal https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/ .

Please note that this exercise is not part of any pre-qualification process. It is intended as an awareness, communication and information gathering exercise to inform the future procurement.

The deadline for responses will be 12 Noon, 11 January 2021. Please note that all communications and RFI submissions will be conducted via the Procontract Portal. It is free to register.