The Clyde Metro project will develop a mass transit system to transform connectivity in and around Glasgow
Our client successfully won places on five lots of the Clyde Metro multidisciplinary consultancy services framework. We provided bid management and writing support, working closely with the client’s teams, ensuring they would be part of the major multimodal transport project within the Glasgow region.
The opportunity
Clyde Metro is a multibillion-pound project to upgrade transport across Glasgow and the surrounding region. Overseen by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), the project will connect over 1.5 million people to employment, education and health services in the region, reduce emissions through fewer car journeys and free up rail capacity. SPT invited organisations to tender for places on a consultancy framework consisting of eight lots. Our client had created a joint venture, wished to secure places on the following five lots:
- Transport Planning and Modelling
- Transport Engineering
- Land Use Planning and Placemaking
- Environment
- Impact Assessments.
With fierce competition, our client needed to demonstrate to SPT that it had the skills and resources to provide services for short, medium and long-term commissions for each lot.
EiB approach and involvement
Working to short timeframes
Given that we only had three weeks to develop our responses, we swiftly engaged with the client via a strategy workshop to identify win themes within its solution to help it stand out from the competition. We participated in a kick-off meeting to identify the client subject matter experts (SME) who would provide expertise to craft the tender responses. This included specific SMEs for each lot. With a tight timeframe, we helped our client develop a fast track programme that included storyboarding, writing and in-depth reviews for each response to assess how the solution was meeting and exceeding SPT’s requirements.
Addressing SPT’s key issues and hot buttons
In responding to the tender questions, we demonstrated the specialist resources and expertise available for SPT. We highlighted our client’s experience on similar projects to Clyde Metro, showcasing its expertise, as well as lessons learned to mitigate any potential issues. We highlighted its experience working with local stakeholders tackling economic, social, and health inequalities, as well as helping support Glasgow’s Just Transition Strategy, all of which are key issues for Clyde Metro. We provided a strategic review, acting as an evaluator. This review specifically focused on ensuring the questions were answered clearly, met SPT’s needs and showcased our client’s differentiators.
Managing communication across a joint venture
As our client was working in a joint venture, communication was key to aligning expectations, behaviours and goals. We supported the client to facilitate regular team catch-ups to review the development of each response. We provided an external evaluation of emerging responses, recommending the approach best suited to win the tender, irrespective of the source organisation.
Success and outcomes
Our client successful secured places on five lots, providing it with the opportunity to contribute to the transformational project for three years. This win strengthens our working relationship with the client, having previously supported it to win in the rail, highways and health sectors.