Railway-track construction materials and supplies

Tender description

High Speed Two (HS2) Limited seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to provide professional development and logistics support services and design, to develop the slab track system, manufacture and supply pre-cast slab track to the Project for Phase 1 (circa 370 km of single track) and Phase 2a (circa 140 km of single track). Note that whilst Phase 2a is included in the scope of this contract, HS2 Ltd shall reserve the right not to award Phase 2a work. High Speed Two (HS2) Limited (‘HS2 Ltd’) the body responsible for developing and promoting the new high speed railway system known as High Speed Two (HS2). Current planning is for HS2 to run between London and Birmingham (Phase 1) followed by the Birmingham to Crewe link (Phase 2a) 1 year later, with the remaining Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds links (Phase 2b) 6 years thereafter, (Phase 2a and 2b are subject to HS2 Ltd achieving Royal Assent). This procurement, one of a number of procurements being established to deliver HS2, forms part of the tranche of work known as Railway Systems incl. signaling, communications, power and Track and Overhead Catenary System (OCS), all subject to anticipated separate procurement(s) to be advertised in the OJEU in due course. In the meantime, HS2 Ltd seeks to procure a contract for the detailed design and development of a pre-cast slab track system and the supply of the manufactured pre-cast slab track units for sections being predominantly outside of tunnels (‘open route’) of the Phase 1 and Phase 2a HS2 route. Full details of the scope of work and the Contractor's obligations under that contract are set out in the procurement documents, but without limitation include: Development of component design to enable product approval, meeting requirements of the European TSI (Technical Specifications for Interoperability); Creation of a Construction Methodology Handbook/Manual to ensure the successful Tier 1 Track and OCS Contractor carries out HS2's installation in accordance with the Contractor's standards; Development of a product that meets the Employer's requirements/constraints for the Tier 1 Track and OCS tenderers to use and price in their tenders; Production of a schedule of rates for the manufacture and supply of the pre-cast slab track units to be used by Tier 1 Track and OCS tenderers in their tenders. In addition, HS2 Ltd has identified a number of specific requirements that the pre-cast slab track system will need to achieve, including but not limited to: Provide a safe and reliable system for the support and guidance of trains; Be capable of supporting the operation of train traffic at designated loads and speeds; Meet the specified reliability, availability and maintenance performance requirements; Be sustainable with comparatively low whole life costs; Facilitate slab renewals within HS2 access windows (no booked trains periods); Fabricated off-site where possible in line with HS2 Strategic Themes, to be defined further at ITT stage but includes the desire for high quality production line methods of construction; Be capable of accommodating earthworks settlements within specified limits. HS2 Ltd is seeking the early procurement of these items in order to maximise competition in relation to this procurement but also the procurement of the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contractor, who will be responsible, among other things, for the installation of the pre-cast slab track on the HS2 site. In addition, HS2 Ltd believes that in order to achieve its current programme for the Project, it is necessary to engage the supplier of the pre-cast slab track several months prior to the award of the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contract. This will enable that supplier to carry out preparatory and development work as set out in the procurement documents, rather than this taking place following award of the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contract. It is intended that the scope of this supply contract will ultimately form part of the works under the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contract. HS2 Ltd currently intends (but will not be obliged) to novate this contract to the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contract at some point following the identification of the Tier 1 Track and OCS Contractor. It is therefore intended that the pre-cast slab track supplier will ultimately become a subcontractor of the Tier 1 Contractor (who will be in contract direct with HS2 Ltd) rather than a direct contractor of HS2 Ltd during the pre-cast slab manufacture and supply stage. Full details of these arrangements will appear in the final tender documentation. Economic operators should also note that the commencement of the supply stage of the contract which covers the detailed design, manufacture, delivery and supply of the pre-cast slab track will be contingent on a ‘notice to proceed’ given by HS2 Ltd. HS2 Ltd reserves the right for any reason not to issue such a notice.