East West Rail rolling stock procurement updates (non-speculative)

[JonathanH]

Moderator note this thread is for procurement updates and was split from

East-West Rail: Progress and updates

Hi guys, It was recently reported that the East-West Rail link between Oxford and MK has been delayed by 2 years from 2017 until 2019. Does anyone have any idea why?

www.railforums.co.uk

For speculation please use: What stock could be used on East-West Rail, for example the Cambrian 158s?


What has actually happened with the procurement? It seems that there was a contract notice issued in March but seemingly that was non-awarded last week https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/respondToList.html?noticeId=542915697. The original timescale in the March tender notice had indicated that the award would be made around now.

A replacement tender notice has been issued https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2020/W46/738853232 with a different procurement approach. This is now a 'prior information notice' "to engage with the Rolling Stock (and Maintenance) marketplace and gain insight into the likely level of interest from providers".

Description
The publication of this PIN is to engage with the Rolling Stock (and Maintenance) marketplace and gain insight into the likely level of interest from providers

The East West Railway Company (EWR Co.) is looking to leasing a fleet of 12 or 14 x 3 car self-powered units with modifications including European Train Control System ("ETCS") Level 2 and Driver Controlled Operation ("DCO") capability, supported by a full maintenance package (under a 'wet' lease). These units will ensure timely operation of EWR's Western Section Phase 2 between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Aylesbury. The lease duration would be four years, with an option to extend for two years.

Please refer to https://eastwestrail.co.uk/ for further details on the East West Rail Project.

This is not a call for competition; it is for initial market engagement purposes only

To ensure your organisations participation in a market engagement event, you will be required to note interest against this PIN

The more detailed document https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/respondToList.html?noticeId=542915697 indicates that there will be an event for potential suppliers on 1 December 2020 and depending on the interest (ie if there is more than one compliant idea for suitable rolling stock) the contract may not now be awarded until November 2021 following a competitive process (which will prolong the speculation on this forum). The units don't appear to be needed until December 2024.

II.2.4) Description of the procurement:
EWR is creating a new connection between Oxford, Cambridge and beyond. This activity is for interim rolling stock & Maintenance for the Western Section of the EWR project covering Oxford to Bletchley, Aylesbury to Milton Keynes. Please refer to https://eastwestrail.co.uk/ for more info

This PIN is to engage with the Rolling Stock and Maintenance marketplace and gain insight into the level of interest from providers. This is not a call for competition; it is for initial market engagement purposes only

Before any formal procurement commences, EWR will be actively engaging with potential suppliers an event on Tues 1st Dec 2020. This event will be virtual via MS Teams. The engagement will include the technical specification of the rolling stock, the wet-lease contract structure and regulations

To participate in the market engagement, you are required to note interest against this PIN

NOTE: Due to data sensitivity you are required to complete a Non-Disclosure agreement to participate

II.2.14) Additional information
Interested parties are to register their interest by 5pm, 27th Nov 2020 by email to: [email protected] providing a brief summary of their company's activities
Based on findings gathered from this activity the commissioner may or may not engage in a competitive process

If a competitive process is undertaken it is envisaged to start by Spring 2021 with contract award by Nov 2021

In any case, it would appear that the leasing companies are, over the next two weeks, putting together the ideas they will present on rolling stock likely to be available for the initial services, having potentially indicated to EWR that the initial procurement approach wasn't appropriate.

 

[DarloRich]

E-W have issued a PIN. This basically says to the rolling stock market:

Are you interested in being involved in a forthcoming completion to meet our proposed specification? If so please let us know and if you are we will have a chat in December. PS we might be open to other ideas.

it is all very standard for large and/or high value procurement

 

[JonathanH]

E-W have issued a PIN. This basically says to the rolling stock market:

Are you interested in being involved in a forthcoming completion to meet our proposed specification? If so please let us know and if you are we will have a chat in December. PS we might be open to other ideas.

it is all very standard for large and/or high value procurement

So what was the thinking behind the contract notice in March. Was that just to say that the PIN was coming in November?

 

[DarloRich]

So what was the thinking behind the contract notice in March. Was that just to say that the PIN was coming in November?

Possibly. Without knowing the ins and outs it is hard to say. I suspect a change in strategy rendered the original paperwork void.

 

[Mollman]

So what was the thinking behind the contract notice in March. Was that just to say that the PIN was coming in November?

Possibly. Without knowing the ins and outs it is hard to say. I suspect a change in strategy rendered the original paperwork void.

It appears that changes have been made since the original notice in March following feedback.
https://www.focustransport.org/2020/11/east-west-railway-company-start-second.html

ast West Railway Company Start Second Phase of Rolling Stock Procurement​

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is to restart market engagement with potential train suppliers, as its rolling stock procurement process enters a new phase.

The move follows an initial phase of procurement activity, which EWR Co concluded earlier in the year. A new PIN Notice has been published to restart engagement with potential suppliers, which includes a set of technical specifications taking account of feedback from the market gained during the initial procurement phase.

The eastern section was closed and the trackbed lost to development. The central section from Bicester to Bedford via Bletchley which was mothballed is being restored and upgraded. The section between Oxford and Bicester has already opened.

The procurement aims to secure a short-term, interim solution to leasing a small fleet of self-powered trains for the Western Section of East West Rail.

Simon Blanchflower CBE, Chief Executive at East West Railway Company said:

“We listened to what the market had to say about our technical specification, and this has enabled us to reshape our requirements in a way that give us more flexibility in achieving the right outcomes for passengers.

“It’s essential we get this public procurement absolutely right, to make sure we give the best value to taxpayers and provide the best solution to the communities who live and work along the East West Rail route.”



EWR Co launched its rolling stock Invitation to Tender in March 2020, when the company announced it is taking an interim approach to securing trains in order that passenger services on the Western Section of East West Rail could be up and running as quickly as possible. This remains a priority as the EWR Co engages again with the rolling stock market, with this activity expected to conclude by the end of November.

EWR Co will continue to keep the industry updated on the progress of this procurement.

Link to Prior Information Notice: here

See Previous Focus posting here