Railway transport services

Tender description

Welsh Government is conducting a single procurement to appoint an Operator and Development Partner (ODP) to undertake the following functions: a. The operation of the Wales and Borders rail franchise; b. The design and management of the development and implementation of capital works to deliver a Metro style service on the Core Valleys Lines and subsequent infrastructure management of the Core Valleys Lines; c. The operation of rail and related aspects of the South Wales Metro service; d. The design and development of further schemes to improve rail travel in Wales. Welsh Government is conducting a single procurement to appoint an operator and development partner to undertake the following functions: a. The operation of the Wales and Borders rail franchise; b. The design and the management of the development and implementation of capital works to deliver a Metro style service on the Core Valleys Lines in the South Wales Valleys and subsequent infrastructure management of the Core Valleys Lines; c. The operation of rail and related aspects of the South Wales Metro service; d. The design and development of further schemes to improve rail travel in Wales. The geographic scope of the franchise is expected to be similar to that of the Wales and Borders rail franchise operated by Arriva Trains Wales: http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ until October 2018. This broadly aligns with the Welsh border but also includes a number of cross border services including some England-only services in the vicinity of the border. The South Wales Metro comprises a programme of service and infrastructure interventions to provide faster and more frequent rail services, some electrified, in the wider Cardiff Capital Region (including the Core Valleys Lines). A wider programme will promote integrated transport across the area. Further information is available from: http://gov.wales/topics/transport/public/metro/?land=en The Welsh Government is currently developing the delivery model and procurement options including the key commercial principles, the nature and terms of any contracts awarded. Further information is contained in the pre-qualification pack and will also be available during the course of dialogue. There will be opportunities for infrastructure contractors to undertake the detailed design and construction under Early Contractor Involvement principles. A separate Periodic Indicative Notice will be published by Welsh Government for the construction opportunities arising from the South Wales Metro. It is currently envisaged that these opportunities will be awarded through frameworks under 3 Lots — Electrification, General Civils Works and Works associated with the permanent way (track). Changes to the procurement process: Welsh Government reserves the right not to award a contract, to make whatever changes it sees fit to the structure and timing of the procurement process (including issuing updates and amendments to the procurement documents and inviting bids on the same or an alternative basis) to cancel the process in its entirety at any stage and, where it considers it appropriate to do so to award a contract for only part of the requirement or to make a direct contract award pursuant to Article 5(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007.