Rolling stock

Tender description

NI Railways currently operates 43: 3-car Diesel Multiple Units (DMU), each with a seating capacity of c. 200, providing local services in Northern Ireland on four main routes from Londonderry, Larne, Bangor and Newry terminating in central Belfast. Total route mileage is approximately 210 miles. The fleet is made up of two vehicle types, — 23: Class 3000 and 20: Class 4000, both manufactured and supplied by Construcciones y Auxiliar Ferrocarriles, Spain (CAF) and delivered in 2004/2005 and 2011/2012 respectively. The introduction of the CAF fleets was accompanied by upgrades to the infrastructure and platforms, along with the construction of two purpose built maintenance facilities in Belfast. Passenger numbers on NI Railways have more than doubled since 2004. There are long term vehicle maintenance, support and collaboration agreements in place between NI Railways and CAF for both vehicle types — Class 3000 initially until 2019 and Class 4000 until 2026. Both agreements have an option to extend for similar periods. These agreements cover the provision of materials, unscheduled repair, technical support and vehicle performance. NI Railways staff undertake the preventative maintenance of both fleets. NI Railways also operates a cross border service to Dublin in conjunction with Iarnrod Eireann using GM locomotives and De Dietrich coaches. There has recently been a mid-life refurbishment carried out on these vehicles, consequently they are not part of this PIN nor of any associated procurement. A network utilisation strategy has been developed to scope the potential fleet enhancement required to increase passenger capacity on the network. As a result of this strategic review it is anticipated that a formal procurement exercise may start in 2016 — 2017 with service introduction from 2019 — 2020. NI Railways is considering options to enhance its DMU fleet by between 42 and 60 vehicles with an increased passenger carrying capacity c. 4000 seated customers and vehicles capable of operating at up to 100 mph (160 kph). The final number and format of vehicles is to be determined. To assist in developing the network utilisation strategy NI Railways will undertake an early market engagement exercise to identify supplier level of interest in the project, potential products, technologies, lead times, indicative budgets, supplier market positions along with maintenance and commercial options to achieve the approval of an Economic Appraisal to secure funding. Interested parties may also propose other relevant discussion topics. The method of acquisition will be by outright purchase, with payment profiles and maintenance options open for discussion. It is anticipated that professional services, covering commercial, legal and technical aspects may be involved in the acquisition of the additional vehicles referred to above. Parties wishing to be involved in this early market engagement exercise should confirm their interest directly to the undersigned in writing no later than 12:00 on Friday 3.6.2016. William Moore Head of Procurement Translink 3 Milewater Road Belfast Northern Ireland BT3 9BG William.moore@translink.co.uk. Interested parties should note that, 1) This notice is to initiate an early market engagement exercise. 2) It does not indicate the start of any formal procurement exercise. Separate specific OJEU procurement exercises for professional services and vehicles will be advertised at the appropriate point in the future. Parties with whom discussions may have been held will be required to submit their applications to be involved in the respective procurement(s) in the normal manner. 3) It is anticipated that any meetings relating to the exercise will be held in during mid-June September 2016. 4) Progress in the overall project will be subject to the availability and timing of funding. 5) Translink takes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken, costs incurred or commitments made by parties in responding to this notice or by being involved in any subsequent discussions relating to this early market engagement exercise. 6) All parties agree that the matters discussed between them during the course of this early market engagement exercise will remain confidential to those particular parties. 7) For further details please contact either Ian Campbell, General Manager, Fleet Engineering ian.campbell@translink.co.uk and/or William Moore, Head of Procurement, william.moore@translink.co.uk.