Extension of rolling stock lease with Eversholt Rail Group for Class 802 trains currently operated on the GWR rail network.

Description

Extension of a lease agreement with Eversholt Rail Group for the provision of the existing fleet of bi-mode Class 802s (does not include maintenance). The current lease expires in March 2023, and it is intended to extend the lease to June 2028. Lot 1: In preparation for an award of a National Rail Contract from the Department for Transport to Great Western Railway (operated by First Group), it is intended to extend the rolling stock lease with Eversholt Rail Group for the existing fleet of bi-mode Class 802s (does not include maintenance). The lease is expected to be extended to June 2028. The Contracting Authority intends to extend the rolling stock lease in accordance with Regulation 50(1)(c)(ii) of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 for technical reasons. This is because there is no other UK based bi-mode fleet available in sufficient quantities or within the requisite timeframe to meet GWR's needs for the National Rail Contract. GWR are not able to consider diesel only alternatives as this would prevent compliance to GWR's Environmental and Sustainability Plan. GWR intend to award a lease extension to Eversholt Rail Group (subject to agreement of a National Rail Contract between DfT and GWR) of the Class 802s to cover the term of the National Rail Contract. The Contracting Authority will observe a 10 day standstill period from the date of issue of this notice prior to entering into the lease extension with Eversholt. The standstill period will end on Monday 6th June 2022.