Design & Construction Framework

Northern Trains Limited is a Train Operating Company (TOC) that operates passenger rail services in the North of England. Northern Trains Limited is publishing this notice on behalf of itself and a number of 'Participating Authorities' including Train Operating Companies in Great Britain (see Section VI.3 below) to establish a framework for Design services, Design & Construction Works, and Construction Works to support the delivery of infrastructure, asset enhancement, refurbishment, renewal and construction projects across its network of stations, depots, train care centres and other operational property assets.

The framework will enable Northern Trains Limited and the Participating Authorities to run mini-competitions for Design Services, Design & Construction Works, and Construction Works and directly award call-off contracts for their requirements among suppliers appointed to the framework.

The Framework allows all Participating Authorities to use it, however, it has been developed primarily to serve the needs of the operators in the North of England, taking advantage of geographical synergies. Accordingly, its principal intended users are Northern Trains Limited (NTL), TransPennine Express (TPE) and London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

The objective of this procurement is to establish a multi-lot framework that will provide access to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers capable of delivering a range of design, construction and multidisciplinary project services. The framework comprises the following lots:

• Lot 1: Internal Building Fit Outs
• Lot 2: General Building and Civils
• Lot 3: Minor Works and Reactive Projects
• Lot 4: Multi-discipline Railway Solutions and Integrated Major Projects ≤ £1 million
• Lot 5: Multi-discipline Railway Solutions and Integrated Major Projects > £1 million
• Lot 6: Information and Security Systems Upgrades and Enhancements (SISS)
• Lot 7: Accessible Stations Enhancements

The framework will support the delivery of projects ranging from feasibility and design development through to construction, installation, commissioning and handover. Services may include surveys, design activities, refurbishment works, asset renewals, building works, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical works, information and security systems, accessibility improvements and integrated multidisciplinary project delivery.

The scope of services will be delivered with the aim of meeting operational, performance and customer requirements whilst ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation, industry standards and railway-specific requirements. Suppliers will be expected to apply industry best practice, innovation and their technical expertise to achieve the following key objectives:

• Deliver safe, high-quality and value-for-money design and construction solutions.
• Support the enhancement, renewal and maintenance of NTL's operational estate and infrastructure assets.
• Minimise disruption to passengers, train operations and depot activities during project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory, regulatory and rail industry requirements.
• Promote sustainability, accessibility and social value outcomes across the framework.
• Foster collaborative working and continuous improvement throughout the lifecycle of projects.

The nature of the arrangement is that Design Services, Design & Construction Works or Construction Works will be supplied under an NTL Framework Agreement and call offs will be using the full suite of JCT agreements, NEC4 agreements and other bespoke agreements, further detail can be found in tender documents.

These requirements will be subject to competitive tendering among the members of the framework in accordance with the rules of the competitive flexible procedure as required by, and subject to, regulation sections 45 and 46 of the Procurement Act 2023. Specific contracts will be awarded according to those rules by the Northern Trains Limited or Participating Authorities in accordance with their specific requirements as set out in individual procurements under the framework. Suppliers appointed to the framework will be required to enter into a Framework Agreement setting out the terms on which the framework will operate including the standard terms and conditions that will be applicable to individual call-off contracts under the framework.

Northern Trains Limited is procuring on behalf of the Participating Authorities (as more particularly defined below) and will enter into the relevant framework agreement with the successful suppliers where such contracts are awarded. The Participating Authorities (as more particularly defined below) are permitted to use the framework via subsequent call-offs in accordance with section 1(3)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. However, Northern Trains Limited is responsible for the conduct of the procurement throughout and all correspondence and communication from suppliers is to be solely with Northern Trains Limited.

Participating Authorities:

In addition to Northern Trains limited, the Participating Authorities who may call-off under this framework are:

• the Train Operating Companies
• Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
• Any holders of a passenger licence or a station licence granted pursuant to section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 and/or a passenger licence granted pursuant to regulation 6 of the Railway (Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2005

Novation or Assignment

The framework agreement may be novated or assigned by Northern Trains Limited to Train Operating Companies, or to DFT Operator Limited (company number: 07141122) or any successor parent company to a Train Operating Company, following a corporate restructuring or similar circumstance.

Other Information

Northern Trains Limited expressly reserves the right:

i. not to award any suppliers the contract referred to in this notice; and

ii. in no circumstances will the customer be liable for any costs incurred by the suppliers.

For more information about this opportunity, please visit the DELTA E-portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/C2E8C9V96C

To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/C2E8C9V96C