Class 153 Rail Vehicle Provision & Supporting Services

Dear Prospective Respondents,

Network Rail currently leases 5 Class 153 rail vehicles which have been modified with automated Plain Line Pattern Recognition systems (2 vehicles) and Visual Inspection Equipment (3 vehicles). These are used to monitor track condition to assist in maintenance and are currently part of the Network Rail Infrastructure Monitoring Fleet.

To help inform any future procurements to maintain the services these vehicles provide, Network Rail kindly requests via this soft market testing (SMT) exercise that capable organisations express interest to Tom.Hedges@networkrail.co.uk by 05/02/2023 should they be interested in taking part in future procurement activity to support the Class 153s. Please indicate which of the services below you are expressing interest in when replying to this PIN.

1. Class 153 Unit Provision (Lease or other)
2. Class 153 Unit Conversion (from passenger vehicle to infrastructure monitoring train)
3. Class 153 Maintenance and Overhaul
4. Class 153 Planning & Operation (including stabling and fuelling)
5. Class 153 On Board Technology Provision for VIU and PLPR Services (including Licenses)
6. Class 153 On Board Technology Service Support
7. Data processing/handling services

This notice is defined as a Prior Information Notice ‘PIN’ curated by Network Rail serving purpose of Soft Market Testing (SMT). The remit of the SMT facilitates Network Rail in engaging with the supply market to gather information on possible solutions available to inform the feasibility of future activities. Participating in the SMT questionnaire does not serve purpose in awarding contracts, nor does it incite or encourage a call for competition between third parties.

Soft Market Testing (SMT) activity does not guarantee a future procurement process of any kind, nor does it act as an invitation to participate in any future procurement processes conducted by Network Rail should these occur following this SMT. This PIN is not a passage for Network Rail to procure goods, services and/or work(s). Network Rail is not bound to accept any proposals put forward by third parties in the context of this PIN. Network Rail is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party participating in the soft market testing/sounding exercise. Any eventual procurement of goods, services and/or works by Network Rail shall be carried out in strict accordance with the provisions of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or subsequent legislation that updates or replaces them. Responses to this PIN shall not be treated as commercially sensitive information.

Kind Regards

Network Rail Additional information: N/A