Network Rail intends to procure a framework for the delivery of Development & Design Services required for the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) portfolio and the wider Integrated Rail Plan (IRP).

This market engagement event seeks to update the market on the status and expected future requirements of the NPR and IRP portfolios and make a Request for Information to support the development of the associated procurement strategy.

The Request for Information will focus on how the market views the opportunity, the capacity and capability in the market, as well as the potential contracting models to deliver the programme and service packages.

By IRP Development Team, Capital Delivery, Eastern Region, Network Rail

When and where

Date and time

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:00 - 16:00 BST

Location

Online

Summary

Network Rail intends to procure a Development & Design Services framework to meet our individual programme and wider portfolio requirements for Northern Powerhouse Rail as part of the Integrated Rail Plan. The stated Development & Design Services will advance future Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) phases.

The purpose of this notice is to invite interested parties to register their interest to attend the Northern Powerhouse Rail / Integrated Rail Plan Development & Design Services market engagement event.

Background

The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) is a government document published on 18 November 2021, outlining £96.4bn of required investment into the railway in the Midlands and the North of England. This is planned to be delivered over the next 30 years. The IRP includes the vision for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) core network from Liverpool to York, via Warrington, Manchester, and Leeds. NPR is a key element of IRP and seeks to address cross-regional requirements and demand forecasts and enhance rail connectivity across the North of England which will contribute to the Government's aspiration to re-balance the UK's economy. NPR is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe and represents a complex programme and portfolio with multiple stakeholders, delivery partners and interactions with other major programmes. Network Rail and HS2 Ltd are key delivery partners for the programme and the Department for Transport (DfT) is the client.

Current status

The Integrated Rail Plan Development Team are in the process of closing out PACE milestone ES2 (Constraints identified and project feasibility confirmed) and are currently exploring opportunities around the delivery of PACE phases 1 and 2.

Market engagement

This market engagement event, including a Request for Information, will inform the procurement strategy for Development & Design Services related to PACE phases 1 and 2. The Request for Information will focus on how the market views the outlined requirements, the capacity and capability in the market, the opportunities to adopt an innovative approach, and potential contracting models to deliver the work packages.

Post-market engagement questionnaire

A supplier questionnaire will be available to complete following the event to obtain specific feedback that will inform the sourcing strategy for the NPR/IRP Development & Design Services Framework.

Time and date of market engagement event

This time and date for this event is 14:00 (GMT) on 27th June 2023

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION

Non-participation in the event shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any future procurements. Network Rail is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party participating in this market engagement event. Network Rail cannot guarantee that it will incorporate all or any feedback received at the event into any subsequent procurement event or that Network Rail will proceed with one or more procurement events.

Market engagement event material and any relevant suppliers questions/notes will be made available to participants, including the event recording.

A link to the online event, run via Microsoft Teams, should automatically be provided to all participants upon registration.

We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Northern Powerhouse Rail / Integrated Rail Plan Design Services Framework