Project Reach

Tender description

Lazard & Co., Limited has been engaged by Network Rail (NR) to advise on Project Reach. Lazard & Co., Limited are Network Rail’s exclusive financial adviser on the deal. Please contact Lazard at lazard_reach@lazard.com to obtain a copy of the teaser, non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and the expression of interest (EOI) form. Bidders should submit completed EOI forms to Lazard at lazard_reach@lazard.com by the deadline specified in section IV.2.2) below. Late requests or submissions may be rejected by NR in its absolute discretion. Lazard & Co., Limited will issue Stage 1 process documentation to bidders that have signed NDAs, submitted EOI forms and meet the requirements set out in the EOI documentation. Lazard & Co., Limited reserves the right to issue Stage 1 process documentation to such bidders ahead of the EOI submission deadline specified in section IV.2.2). NR is seeking to appoint a concessionaire to design, deploy and fund new public communications networks and infrastructure along the railway in return for the right to use and commercially exploit the new networks under a long-term concession agreement. The concession will involve using, upgrading and increasing NR's existing telecoms infrastructure assets including the construction of a new fibre optic network and, potentially, new wireless network infrastructure (passive masts, towers and poles) (Project Reach). Lot 1: BACKGROUND TO NETWORK RAIL TELECOMS NR owns, operates and develops most of Great Britain’s railway infrastructure, which includes over 16,000 km of fibre network and 2,500 wireless masts with co-location potential alongside the rail corridor. These telecoms infrastructure assets are a critical enabler for NR to run a safe and efficient railway service to meet the needs of passengers and freight users. They support the delivery of secure, efficient and effective services to passengers and freight users by underpinning safety critical operational services, enabling future train control systems and delivering improved passenger experience and safety via information and security systems. PROJECT REACH NR is seeking to appoint a concessionaire to design, deploy and fund new public communications networks and infrastructure along the rail corridor in return for the right to use and commercially exploit the new networks under a long-term concession agreement. The concession will involve using, upgrading and increasing NR's existing telecoms infrastructure assets including the construction of a new fibre optic network and, potentially, new wireless network infrastructure (passive masts, towers and poles). Project Reach is designed to advance wider government policy goals of improving public electronic communications connectivity; futureproof NR's telecoms infrastructure for its own rail requirements; to provide the next generation of railway technology to significantly improve safety, reliability and passenger connectivity. Project Reach covers Great Britain (excluding Norther Ireland).