Transport systems consultancy services

Tender description

An Independent Reporter (IR) is to be jointly appointed by Transport for Wales (TfW) and by the Wales and Borders Operator and Development Partner (ODP) to provide impartial, expert advice to the ODP and TfW on the infrastructure management of the Core Valley Lines (CVL), covering matters such as: (a) The adequacy of the ODP’s annual asset management plan and asset knowledge management plan; (b) Payment adjustments to the ODP for maintenance activities because of discovered asset characteristics that attract additional payment under the GA; (c) The ODP’s annual proposals for renewal works; and (d) The asset management impact of the authority’s proposed levels of funding for renewals. The IR service is summarised as follows: (a) Determining, based on a non-compliance with 1 of the ODP's CVL Asset Assumptions or based on a material discovery, how an emerging charge should be adjusted to become firm charges or how a firm charge should be adjusted to become a fixed charge; (b) Assessing and determining other infrastructure management payments to be made to the ODP in accordance with the Grant Agreement (GA), if instructed to do so by one of the parties; (c) Reviewing, assessing and advising on the following ODP Infrastructure manager plans; initial, annual and periodic: — asset operational management, — safety, — asset management, — asset knowledge management, — environment management, — renewals and enhancement, — discovery and inspection, — disaster management and business continuity; (d) Commenting and advising on the ODP’s risk based management framework and standards and derogations management process; (e) Advising on the impact of an excluded risk on day to day asset management, cost, performance, reliability and urgent renewal requirements; (f) Assessing and advising on the asset management, cost, performance and reliability impact of a proposed renewals deferral by the authority; (g) Should the ODP and TfW fail to agree on any review, comment, approval or determination and elect to resolve any dispute using the GA dispute resolution procedure, providing and supporting any information as required by the appointed the appropriate dispute resolution process; (h) If requested by the appointors, comment on an asset protection arrangement on the CVL; (i) Reporting on ODP compliance with its current asset management plan in the period immediately before CVL Asset Handback at the end of the GA; (j) If required, advising on and providing certification in relation to the ODP and TfW performance in relation to the asset maintenance bond; and (k) Assessing and advising on whether the ODP and TfW are complying with the policies, decisions and requirements of the ORR. The IR must be independent of both the ODP and TfW, so that it can provide its services and meet its duties impartially. All the above capitalised terms are defined in the contract documentation provided with the procurement documents.