Network Rail Eastern Routes Partnership Framework

Description

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (NR) intends to select suppliers to the Eastern Routes Partnership (ERP) framework. The ERP is envisaged as the main route to market for the Eastern Region to deliver projects under NR's strategic business plan (SBP) as well as other projects with a core technical discipline. The geographical scope of the ERP is the Eastern Region (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-regions/eastern/). To aid the supply chain in responding to the tender when it is released, NR is planning a series of ‘hot start’ briefings to help bid teams digest the commercial approach and delivery requirements of the ERP. The initial term of the ERP is 5 years (plus a 2 month mobilisation) with an option to extend the ERP by yearly increments up to a further 5 years (as set out in the ERP). The ERP is part of an ecosystem across the Eastern Region which may include arrangements for small schemes/reactive works and alternative options for standalone multi-disciplinary enhancements and/or major projects/programmes. The ERP comprises two levels: Generalist and Specialist. The process for allocating projects is set out at Section VI.3. NR is looking for contractors able to work with NR to establish the required collaborative behaviours under the ERP whilst acknowledging the challenging commercial environment. To this end as part of the ITT bidders will be required to undertake a behavioural assessment. NR actively encourages SMEs, new entrants and/or discipline experts to participate in the process for the Specialist level. For the Generalist level, NR is looking to engage suppliers able to take on projects with increased complexity/stakeholder management and have the ability to deliver the volumes required against the desired unit rates to deliver the SBP. The values for each Lot are estimates only, based on SBP budgets rather than delivery plan values. As such, they are not guaranteed and do not act as a minimum or maximum workbank value for the control period nor a guarantee as to volume split of work-type. A Partnership Agreement sits alongside the ERP and comprises NR and the Generalist contractors. Specialist contractors may join the Partnership if the ERP is extended beyond the initial 5 years. The core Partnership aims are to: create a collaborative environment; hold NR and all Partner-contractors to account;; and undertake the efficiency challenge in delivering the ERP workbank safely. The ERP includes a pain-gain incentive mechanism, based on the difference between the Annual Actual Cost and the Annual Project Target cost. The Annual Project Target Costs are all derived from the Client’s budget. A Portfolio Incentivisation Fund will also be set up at a Partnership Level, distributing savings across Partner-contractors. Where there is, in relation to a project issued under the ERP, a reliance on works/services/supplies which can be provided by particular economic entities due to proprietary rights regarding equipment, software, hardware and/or data forming part of the signalling system (now or in the future) within the "GB network" which is or are subject to restrictions from a proprietary rights / intellectual property rights perspective, NR intends to procure these separately to ensure the scope of the ERP (in particular Lot 2) is open to maximum competition. There will be an opportunity to comment on the contractual documentation. NR will determine which, if any, changes should result in revisions to the ERP based on the objective merit of the proposed changes. Further detail is set out in the Instructions to Participants. The contractual documentation will not be subject to negotiation. The negotiations will relate to the price element only. Participants will have an opportunity to update their tenders following negotiations. Initial Tenders will be evaluated but feedback will not be shared with participants. Only feedback on Final Tenders will be shared.

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