Railway-track inspection services

Tender description

Iarnród Éireann requires the services of a competent contractor to test the rail over its network for defects. The service required involves the provision of trained operators and equipment to scan the rail network to detect both internal and rolling contact surface defects and to provide reports and analysis to Iarnród Éireann. The existing contract for these services will expire in May 2020. Iarnród Éireann proposes to pre-qualify a number of suitably qualified candidates to participate in a tender process for the provision of rail flaw detection services. This is a call to competition by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the long term supply of rail flaw detection services. IÉ operates a railway network of over 2 274 miles of track of which; (i) 102 miles are electrified; (ii) 1,800 miles are continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers; (iii) 475 miles are jointed rail on timber sleepers. IÉ needs to identify defects in the rails and implement a programme of correcting such defects based on a priority basis determined by the risk associated with the category of defect. (a) Part of this process is to identify invisible defects using a rail mounted vehicle which can identify potential defects using non destructive scanning methods; typically Ultrasonic and Eddy Current. This process will be carried out by the appointed contractor using an equipped vehicle. (b) the ultrasonic testing system shall be capable of detecting, displaying and classifying the presence of discontinuities likely to be present in the rail and reporting the findings to IÉ; (c) the potential defects are categorised and a report is prepared in a pre determined format and submitted to IÉ; (d) IÉ staff investigate the potential defects using manual equipment to verify the presence of an actual defect and its status; the contractor will advise IÉ on which type of equipment they deem most suitable; (e) IÉ is responsible to correct the defects. Scope of work - general: — IÉ requires the service of a competent contractor who will test the rail over the IÉ network for defects, — the contractor shall be required to install the equipment required to detect defects to IÉs track recording vehicle. This is a purpose built test vehicle that IÉ also uses to record track quality and geometry, — a dedicated space will be provided on the track recording vehicle (both on board and on the bogie frame) to allow the contractor to install test equipment, — the track recording vehicle is operated on behalf of IÉ by an OTM contractor. IÉ will arrange operation of the track recording vehicle in accordance with an agreed programme at no cost to the contractor, — the testing is required to be executed during the day or night, weekdays and weekends. IÉ will organise the shifts and possession to obtain optimum track access. IÉ will decide at which time shifts will start, but a 2-week advance notification of an agreed start time will be the norm, — the contractor will be required to work an estimated 10 to 20 shifts covering approximately 50 % of the network in each programme, with 2 programmes per year, — the contractor will be required to undertake testing in live traffic. Systems which require the provision of track possessions to operate will not be considered. The contractors test equipment must be capable of testing at speed of 80 kph in live traffic, — to ensure efficient use of the track recording vehicle, IÉ may choose to combine the operation of ultrasonic/eddy current testing programmes with other track quality/geometry test programmes. The contract the subject of this competition for thirty six (36) months with the option available to IE to extend annually for up to two (2) additional years