Electrical installations for railways

Tender description

Network Rail is currently developing its 1st project using static frequency converter (SFC) technology for a railway traction power supply. The project involves the design, supply, construction and commissioning of an SFC to be located at Doncaster South which will supply traction power to Hitachi's new Intercity Express Programme (IEP) Depot at Doncaster and to the adjacent East Coast Main Line. There is also the potential for a maintenance contract for a period of up to the lifetime of the asset to be included within the award. This Contract Notice follows a Periodic Indicative Notice (‘PIN’) published by Network Rail on 3.12.2015 (2015/S 234-425436) which invited prospective SFC vendors to participate in pre-tender specification development. Network Rail has been and continues to interact with prospective SFC vendors to develop the SFC specification. Network Rail intends to issue a draft specification to the prospective SFC vendors who responded to the PIN for comment as soon as it is available. The project programme requires the SFC at Doncaster South to be commissioned in December 2017. The SFC will have an input voltage of 132kV, 50Hz and an output voltage of 25kV, 50Hz. The 30 minute average demand rating of the SFC is expected to be in the vicinity of 25-30 MVA and the instantaneous rating of the SFC is expected to be in the range of 40-45 MVA (peak). Network Rail's contracting strategy for Doncaster South involves 3 major work packages. This notice relates to the 2nd and 3rd work packages, which are: — The engagement of a contractor for: (i) The design, supply, installation and commissioning of the SFC; and (ii) Provision of post-commissioning support for the SFC; and — The engagement of a contractor for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of 25kV feeder switchgear at Doncaster South, 25kV cabling, 25kV overhead line equipment, SCADA, telecommunications, low voltage power supplies and associated infrastructure. The form in which these packages will be offered to the market is currently under consideration by Network Rail. Invitations to negotiate are expected to be issued in May 2016. This may be preceded by a qualification stage if required. The contract duration indicated in this notice relates to the supply and installation of the static frequency converter technology, switchgear and related elements over an estimated period of 19 months. This estimate is indicative only and subject to subsequent revision as Network Rail's understanding of its requirement is developed. The contract duration indicated does not include the duration of a maintenance / support contract for a period up to the lifetime of the asset. Network Rail has not indicated the duration of this maintenance period because the exact lifetime of the asset is not yet known (and will be dependent on the specific offers received), but must emphasise that the option to award a long-term maintenance contract is within the scope of the present procurement. The purpose of this notice is to invite formal expressions of interest from prospective SFC vendors who wish to participate in the tender process for the SFC project when Network Rail issues contract documentation. Other than providing your details to the contact point at Section I.1) by 6.3.2016, 14:00, no specific action is required of economic operators at this time and Network Rail will be in contact regarding the next steps in the process.