Network Rail Digital Railway are seeking a single supplier to deliver Digital Train Control Systems on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) route in a procurement worth £1.8b.

The duration of the framework is up to 96 months (eight years). A Train Control Partner (TCP) will be appointed under an initial four-year term that may be extended up to eight in annual increments.

The Framework Agreement consists of two main types of call-off contracts:

1) Professional services

This includes preparation of outline designs, support on development of alternative commercial and financial models and Outline Business Case and a Full Business Case submission if required.

2) Design, build, maintain

This includes the preparation of a detailed design, supply of products, goods and services, installation, integration of an end-to-end system and commissioning of the designed system. The TCP shall then sustain the system performance over the course of the 30-year maintenance phase.

Earlier this year, Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, set out a joint 15-year digital train control strategy for the whole rail industry and this framework is initiating the process for the ECML.

It is envisaged that there will be four candidates invited to bid and candidates expressing an interest must complete and submit a pre-qualification questionnaire by 16^th October.

A time limit for receipt of tenders and requests to participate has been set for 18^th September.

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