The tender includes four principal agreements with an estimated value ranging between £200m and £700m, comprising a new fleet and maintenance depot.
The first of these includes a manufacture and supply agreement (MSA) for the design, manufacture, testing, commissioning and supply of the new fleet. This will require the successful bidder to both provide details of the units in mock-ups and to supply a cab simulator to assist with driver training.
The second agreement will see a train availability and reliability agreement (TARA) for the provision of running, heavy maintenance, servicing and cleaning services in the fleet, particularly to ensure that it complies with the Merseyrail Electrics timetable and delivers maximum value for money.
The successful bidder will be responsible for the long-term running and heavy maintenance of the fleet, as well as to make future modifications to units – such as the conversion of the traction power supply from the third rail DC system to an a dual voltage system that uses both third rail and overhead line electric traction power systems.
A maintenance sub-contract (MSC) makes up the third agreement, whose scope includes all maintenance and repair works as well as in-depot servicing and cleaning on the existing fleet, necessary to meet Merseyrail’s existing maintenance and customer-facing obligations “pending the redelivery of the existing fleet to Angel Trains Ltd” – alongside a “phased introduction” of the new fleet.
The last agreement, a depot construction contract (DCC), will include the design, construction, fit-out, commissioning and completion of depot facilities in which the new fleet will be maintained under the TARA. The new maintenance facilities are likely to* include a shed covering three inspection rotes with pits, cranes and/or jacks and test facilities, as well as a train exterior wash plant and specialist cleaning area.
