Train Control Systems Framework

Description

Network Rail is responsible for maintaining, developing and operating Great Britain's (GB) railway infrastructure.Network Rail is an arm's length government owned company, whose capital investments are constrained by, and contribute to, the Public Sector Borrowing Requirement. Network Rail needs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its capital spend programmes. NR recognises the opportunity afforded by signalling and is significantly investing in both conventional and digital signalling systems, with a significant programme of work being set out over the next two Control Periods (CP7 (from April 2024 to March 2029) / CP8 (April 2029 to March 2034)).Network Rail is committed to procuring signalling in a different way to drive benefits for the taxpayer, signalling market and wider UK. The current national signalling workbank shows a significant pipeline across European Train Control System (ETCS) or related technologies and Conventional technologies through CP7 and CP8. Whilst a proportion of the Conventional signalling renewals in CP7 will be covered by existing frameworks, these expire during CP7. There is therefore a need for a new contracting route for Conventional signalling and ETCS signalling which will be used by NR's regions in support of their multi-disciplinary project and programme delivery plans. NR is seeking to establish national Train Control System Frameworks (TCS Frameworks) for the delivery of major train control works and renewals to be delivered on the existing rail network comprising two lots: Lot 1: TCS Framework - Conventional: Conventional signalling (either conventional or related technologies). Framework Suppliers will be required to provide a range of works and/or services covering design and build. Lot 2: TCS Framework - Digital: Digital signalling (either ETCS or related technologies). Framework Suppliers will be required to provide a range of works and/or services covering design, build and ETCS maintenance support. An indicative workbank for each Lot is provided for information only purposes as part of the procurement documents. The TCSF frameworks will each have a duration of 10-years with an estimated value of approximately £4bn across both Lots. Network Rail’s approach is looking to create long-term, national collaborative relationships with suppliers, whilst lowering barriers and investment required for suppliers to enter the market and providing a more certain visibility of pipeline and commitment. Network Rail intends to use the 10-year duration of these frameworks to build strategic longer-term collaborative relationships with suppliers, and with a strong focus on technology development and pipeline visibility to encourage new suppliers to market. Lot 1: TCS Framework – Conventional Lot 1: TCS Framework - Conventional relates to conventional signalling (either conventional or related technologies). Framework Suppliers will be required to provide a range of works and/or services covering design and build. This framework will have a duration of 10-years with up to 4 suppliers to Lot 1: TCS Framework -Conventional. Under the TCS Frameworks, Network Rail is looking to develop longer term, strategic relationships with framework suppliers, which includes providing increased certainty of work to be secured through achievement of a place on the frameworks. A proportion of the works and/or services will be allocated to relevant suppliers from a workbank of conventional signalling projects on a direct award basis (subject to certain criteria) and the remainder of the works will be awarded using mini competition. Further details are set out in the draft framework contract provided as part of the procurement documents. Works and/or services within the workbank may require works to proprietary equipment within the GB network which is subject to restrictions from a proprietary rights and/or intellectual property rights perspective such that only a particular supplier can undertake such works. A supplier appointed to the TCS Framework for Lot 1 will be obliged to observe fair conduct rules including to co-operate and engage in good faith with a proprietary works supplier (whether that proprietary works supplier is also appointed to the TCS Frameworks or not), other contractors appointed (directly or indirectly) by Network Rail delivering works and/or services as part of a wider scheme of which the TCS Lot 1 signalling works form part and NR, in order to ensure the successful and safe delivery of works and/or services on or in connection with the GB network. Any proprietary works supplier that is appointed to the TCS Frameworks will also be obliged to observe fair conduct rules. Further details are set out in the draft framework contract provided as part of the procurement documents. Lot 1 will also enable the direct award of a contract by Network Rail to a proprietary works supplier that is appointed to the TCS Framework where works to proprietary equipment are required as part of a regional scheme being sourced otherwise than through delivered outside of the TCS Frameworks. Further details are set out in the draft framework contract provided as part of the procurement documents. Lot 2: TCS Framework – Digital Lot 2: TCS Framework - Digital relates to digital signalling (either ETCS or related technologies). Framework Suppliers will be required to provide a range of works and/or services covering design, build and maintenance support. As part of this TCS Framework, Network Rail intends to enter into development commission contracts with each Framework Supplier to develop the supplier's ETCS solutions for the GB network and Network Rail intends to make a contribution to actual development costs up to a cap as will be detailed in the Framework Agreement. This framework will have a duration of 10-years with up to 4 suppliers appointed to Lot 2: TCS Framework Digital - digital signalling framework.. Under the TCS Frameworks, Network Rail is looking to develop longer term, strategic relationships with framework suppliers, which includes providing increased certainty of work to be secured through achievement of a place on the frameworks. A proportion of the works and/or services will be allocated to relevant suppliers from a workbank of digital signalling projects on a direct award basis (subject to certain criteria) and the remainder of the works will be awarded using mini competition. Further details are set out in the draft framework contract provided as part of the procurement documents. Works and/or services within the workbank may require works to proprietary equipment within the GB network which is subject to restrictions from a proprietary rights and/or intellectual property rights perspective such that only a particular supplier can undertake such works. A supplier appointed to the TCS Framework for Lot 2 will be obliged to observe fair conduct rules including to co-operate and engage in good faith with a proprietary works supplier (whether that proprietary works supplier is also appointed to the TCS Frameworks or not), other contractors appointed (directly or indirectly) by Network Rail delivering works and/or services as part of a wider scheme of which the TCSF Lot 2 signalling works form part and NR, in order to ensure the successful and safe delivery of works and/or services on or in connection with the GB network. Any proprietary works supplier that is appointed to the TCS Frameworks will also be obliged to observe fair conduct rules. Further details are set out in the draft framework contract provided as part of the procurement documents. This framework may also be utilised by East West Rail Limited.