UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Introduction Network Rail (NR) is a public-sector organisation which owns, operates and maintains the rail infrastructure in the United Kingdom. Network Rail owns and operates 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and thousands of signals, level crossings and stations, as well as offices and depots across the country. We manage 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are currently managed by the country’s Train Operating Companies (TOC’s). Although this may change with the nationalisation of the Train Operating Companies and the creation of Great British Railways (GBR). Background Network Rail, including TOC’s, use approximately 4.5TWh of electricity a year, about 0.5TWh is used by NR to power our stations, offices, depots, signals etc. (non-traction power) with the other 4TWh used to power the trains (Traction power). NR has a well-established Transition to Renewables (T2R) programme which includes both on-site renewables, via capital investment and supplier funded, and Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPA’s). NR has a target to transition all non-traction consumption to renewables by 2030. Overview Network Rail intends to establish a framework of five capable and experienced suppliers to support the delivery of on-site or near site supplier funded renewable energy solutions delivered through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). The framework will support a variety of renewable energy deployment types, including: • Rooftops installations • Car park solar canopies • Ground-mount systems • High energy consuming sites with potential to secure nearby land option. The framework will be technology agnostic, allowing for Solar PV, on-site wind turbines, and future emerging technologies, with the option to include energy storage solutions where appropriate. The framework will be awarded to five suppliers and be valid for 8 years. It will be available for use across Network Rail, as well as covering the nationalised ToC’s and GBR, including any affiliates. Call-offs will be run as mini competitions through the framework for individual sites or a portfolio of sites. Each resulting call-off contract will be for a term of up to 25 years depending on the technology and project requirements. At the end of the contract there may be an option to: • Purchase the renewable assets, or • Extend the contract at a reduced price, or • Require the removal of the asset and reinstatement of the site. An initial award of up to five sites will be made to the highest scoring supplier, subject to feasibility and affordability. Further information is included in the procurement documents.

The railway industry is undergoing a major shift from traditional lineside signals to a fully digital railway. Network Rail is replacing physical signals with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which provides real-time, in-cab movement authority. ETCS gives drivers accurate, continuous information, allowing trains to run safely at optimal speeds and closer together. This leads to fewer delays, more capacity, improved reliability, and a more modern and cost- efficient railway. To deliver ETCS, both the signalling infrastructure and train fleets must be upgraded with new onboard equipment. Network Rail plans to procure a 15-year single supplier contract to design, supply and install ETCS onboard equipment and associated services for the Alstom Turbostar fleet family. The Turbostar fleet is the next priority because fitment and driver training must be completed ahead of the planned “signals away” for the Grantham Infrastructure ETCS Scheme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The Turbostar fleet are diesel multiple units (DMUs) built by Adtranz and later Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby between 1997 and 2011. The family consists of 202 units of Class 168, Class 170, Class 171, Class 172, of which 168 are planned to be fitted owned by Porterbrook (145), Beacon Rail Leasing (12) and Angel Trains (12). The fleet to be fitted is operated across 6 Train Operating Companies (TOCs). As such there is a significant opportunity to implement a consolidated sourcing strategy which will drive value, economies of scale and consistency into the procurement and delivery of the works over this proposed fifteen 15-year contract period.

The framework will support the efficient, consistent development, delivery, entry into service and handback of electrification elements that are key to the delivery of the decarbonisation programme in Scotland. Network Rail intend to procure a framework that will appoint one (1) Contractor for the delivery of the overhead line electrification (Based on UK Master series), traction power, power and distribution, ancillaries & associated design works across Scotland. The procurement shall be awarded under a nil value NR30 Framework Commission Agreement. The initial estimate of the value of works currently intended to be awarded under the Framework is approximately £300m over the effective period of the Framework. Scotland's Railway has provided for a total Framework value of £450m, taking into account emerging works which are yet to be identified which may become necessary during the effective period.

Network Rail require an Aerial Survey of the UK rail network, principally consisting of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and RGB (Red, Green and Blue) data capture. There is a desire to capture this data in the winter 2027/28 season (November 2027 to March 2028) and process it rapidly for the purposes of delivering Earthwork Asset condition information.

The Rail Systems Alliances are Track Work contracts formed as partnerships between Network Rail and one or more suppliers. The scope predominantly includes the design and construction of track works on plain line track and switches and crossings (points). Associated work covers survey, site investigation, development, design, and installation works, including drainage, formation, ballast, sleeper, slab, and rail works, along with associated traction power, signalling, and minor civil engineering works such as signal/traction power foundations, level crossings, platform works, and cable troughing routes. The current alliance partnerships are due to end in May and June 2029. Network Rail is seeking to appoint suitable supplier(s) to continue the delivery of Rail Systems and associated work for the Control Period (CP) 8 and 9 programmes, the estimated start date for mobilisation is mid 2028, with go live in mid 2029. The current scope includes: • Track renewals and upgrades across designated routes • Integration with signalling and electrification works • Provision of specialist plant and equipment • Compliance with GBR transition requirements and sustainability objectives The detailed scope and commercial model will be published within the tender documents.

The Rail Systems Alliances are Track Work contracts formed as partnerships between Network Rail and one or more suppliers. The scope predominantly includes the design and construction of track works on plain line track and switches and crossings (points). Associated work covers survey, site investigation, development, design, and installation works, including drainage, formation, ballast, sleeper, slab, and rail works, along with associated traction power, signalling, and minor civil engineering works such as signal/traction power foundations, level crossings, platform works, and cable troughing routes. The current alliance partnerships are due to end in May and June 2029. Network Rail is seeking to appoint suitable supplier(s) to continue the delivery of Rail Systems and associated work for the Control Period (CP) 8 and 9 programmes, the estimated start date for mobilisation is mid 2028, with go live in mid 2029. The current scope includes: • Track renewals and upgrades across designated routes • Integration with signalling and electrification works • Provision of specialist plant and equipment • Compliance with GBR transition requirements and sustainability objectives The detailed scope and commercial model will be published within the tender documents.