Business and management consultancy and related services

Tender description

Network Rail (NR) is seeking to establish a single supplier framework to undertake the role of a Railway Systems Integration Partner (RSIP) for digital transformation of the London North East and East Midlands(LNE&EM) Route as part of the NR Digital Railway Programme (DRP). It is envisaged that the RSIP will work in a co-located and integrated team with the LNE&EM Route and its train control and traffic management technology partners, to deliver industry change, specific programme outcomes and customer benefits. This will include coordinating the railway industry (section II.2.4) in preparation for the step change presented by the introduction of digital technologies, including train control and traffic management systems. This procurement is one of 3 opportunities being undertaken by the DRP comprising: 1) a Train Control Partner (TCP) (OJEU ref: 2018/S 150-345573); 2) Traffic Management Partner (TMP) which will be the subject of a separate forthcoming procurement and 3) the RSIP. The overall geographical scope of the framework agreement comprises the London North East (LNE) and East Midlands (EM) operational route (see procurement documents). As the first scheme, the NR LNE and EM Route has a once in a generation alignment of opportunities on the East Coast route to undertake a digital railway transformation; it is entering an infrastructure renewal cycle, which is aligned with the arrival of new trains with European Train Control System capability procured by the UK Government. The implementation of digital technologies both necessitates and enables greater level of integration between infrastructure and trains both technically and operationally. The RSIP will hold responsibility for managing the interfaces, migration,and railway system integration activities to facilitate route digital transformation. Critical to the success of thisrole, the RSIP will need to establish a collaborative relationship with the LNE and EM Route, NR’s technology partners (the TCP and TMP) and stakeholders from the railway industry, including: UK Government, NR’s Digital Railway Programme, Passengers, freight operators and train owners. To deliver the scope the partner will require core capabilities including but not limited to: benefit management, change management, programme management, programme governance and industry integration, requirements management and progressive assurance of outputs/outcomes/benefits, business case development, contract and commercial management,safety leadership, human capital, equality and diversity. For this RSIP opportunity, the term ‘Partner’ shall mean contracting entity or group, which could include a single supplier, a lead supplier with disclosed supply chain, consortia, a joint venture and/or any other contracting entity make up. A framework will be awarded to a successful partner with a commission procedure to enable packages of work to be contracted for throughout the term of the framework. This will be an exclusive award to one partner such that the successful partner will be (subject to satisfactory performance, funding availability, the wider DRP deployment strategy, etc.) awarded any packages that may arise from the framework. NetworkRail Standard Conditions of Contract are intended to be utilised — NR13(B) Services Framework with discrete services contracts commissioned under the framework using NR3 Construction Services. Each commission contract will have specific commencement and completion dates (this will vary depending on the particular requirements at the time). Further visibility of anticipated commission contracts shall be provided in the procurement documents. Alongside the TCP and the TMP, the successful RSIP will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding jointly developed by all contracted partners which will govern the cross-partner relationship – the RSIP shall lead this activity. The framework agreement will be for an initial term of 6 years with the option to extend for two additional periods of 12 months each (6 + 1 + 1).