Supply of and Maintenance Support for new Rolling Stock for Southeastern

Description

The overall objective of this procurement is cost reduction and cost avoidance, through securing the best medium and long-term value fleet solution for the benefit of taxpayers, the Department for Transport, Southeastern and ultimately, Southeastern's customers. We believe that this objective can be secured by procuring new trains to replace a significant quantity of Southeastern's ageing fleet and therefore avoiding the escalating maintenance, repair and leasing costs To meet this objective, the new fleet must be manufactured and introduced into full, unrestricted operational service by October 2027 The quantity of vehicles in the core order will be between 350 and 570, with an option for up to 70 additional vehicles (these quantities have been calculated using an assumed 20m vehicle length). The precise number in the core order will be determined once tenders for supply, financing and maintenance have been received and the business case for new trains is completed. The business case will inform and determine which fleet or fleets are to be replaced and therefore will establish the final quantity for the core order In addition, follow-on options may be sought, to allow the fleet to be increased over time, depending on recovery of demand post pandemic Bidders will be required to propose a design based on an established platform, and demonstrate the ability to deliver on-time, obtain acceptance and introduce fleets into service in the UK, evidenced by previous procurements The key requirements of the new vehicles will include (but not be limited to): o full compatibility with Southeastern infrastructure (excluding High Speed 1 infrastructure) o full compliance with all applicable accessibility regulations (PRM NTSN) o interiors suitable for metro & mainline operation o toilets o air conditioning o inclusion of options for traction batteries with capability for operation in depots and sidings without the need for external power supply, and with the capability to operate on the main line where power supply is not available due to isolations or incidents, or for non-electrified line sections of up to 20 miles Southeastern is seeking a new fleet manufactured, maintained and operated with sustainability in mind, and with reduced carbon footprint, energy usage and embedded carbon. Bidders will also be required to supply initial spares, special tools and equipment to support staff training Bidders will be required to provide ongoing maintenance support by way of a materials supply and technical support agreement, whole life cost guarantees and a performance regime Lot 1: SE Trains Limited (trading as Southeastern) is a UK train operating company serving stations in London, Kent and East Sussex. In order to support our strategy of cost reduction, as well as modernising and enhancing passenger experience, we have developed our rolling stock asset strategy and are now inviting expressions of interest for the supply of new trains and associated maintenance support. Interested parties should register their interest in taking part, and to be eligible to receive further tender documentation during the process by responding on this survey link https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FANL0L/ Following the deadline for response to this notice, Southeastern will provide further communications to interested parties and will arrange a number of bidder engagement sessions before issuing an Invitation to Pre-Qualify (ITP) in 2023. The ITP stage of the procurement will focus on high level capability and previous experience delivering rolling stock and associated maintenance services to the UK market, which will be evaluated to ensure only the most suitable bidders progress to the Invitation to Negotiate stage later in 2023. Tender documentation issued at ITP stage will be in a developed form but may be subject to amendment prior to the ITN being issued. Bidders should be capable of demonstrating to Southeastern a successful history of rolling stock introduction into the UK market and providing ongoing maintenance support using various methodologies. Bidders should also have the current manufacturing capacity, capability and competency to deliver units powered by 750V electric third-rail which can be commissioned, tested and accepted into unrestricted passenger service within the stated timescale. Interested parties should note that Southeastern is undertaking parallel procurement activities for the financing of this rolling stock, as well as a further process for the leasing of existing Rolling Stock with a view to selecting one or a combination of options. Interested parties should also note that partaking in this procurement process may not result in any award and suppliers are taking part at their own cost and risk. The issue of the contract notice (or any other procurement document) does not have contractual effect or create any form of contract (implied or otherwise) between Southeastern and any other person Southeastern will not be liable, under any circumstances, for any bid costs, expenditure, work or effort incurred by a Bidder in proceeding with or participating in this procurement, including if the procurement process is terminated or amended at any stage prior to contract execution Southeastern reserves the right to amend, modify and/or add further stages to or terminate the process at any stage prior to contract execution