Decision details

Scope - The aim of this procurement focused on achieving two key objectives:

• The procurement of a long-term ‘Technology Partner’ to allow SYMCA to upgrade and replace a range of SC&C assets, dependent on asset condition, obsolescence and funding.

• The procurement of an expandable multi-functional management platform, also known as a tram management system (TMS), to allow a range of functions to be managed on the tramway (including tram-train services).

SYMCA requires the Technology Partner to provide an expandable multi-functional management platform, also known as a TMS, to provide monitoring, control and management (via interfaces as required) from the OCC by Operators (Network Controllers) for a range of functions to be managed on the tramway (including tram-train services).

Funding - Funding for this procurement and contract is part of the current CRSTS funding period which runs from 2022 to 2027, this is Funding Period 1 (FP1). SYMCA currently has sufficient funding for the first work package (the Automatic Vehicle Location system).

Procurement - The chosen procurement procedure was Competitive Dialogue.

SYMCA received nine responses to the initial tender notice which were assessed against the minimum requirements set out in the Selection Questionnaire. Two suppliers progressed to the dialogue stage, Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited (Hitachi) and Siemens Mobility Limited (Siemens).

There were three rounds of dialogue which involved discussion on technical, commercial and legal aspects of the tender. Both suppliers were then invited to submit a tender. On receiving the tenders, it was determined that Siemens had based their bid on amended terms to those required by SYMCA and were therefore excluded from the tender process at that point.

As a consequence, only Hitachi’s tender response was evaluated. Full scores available in attached Record of Officer Decision Form.

Commercial - Hitachi rail provided a price breakdown for each package (see attached Record of Officer Decision Form). It should be noted that beyond FP 1, these are very high level, some may currently be covered in other work packages, and some may be subject to a considerable amount of future value engineering.

Approval to award Hitachi Rail GTS UK to the place on the technology partner framework.

Approval to commission Hitachi Rail GTS UK to carry out framework call off No1, installation of the Tram management system and associated framework management costs, at an approximate total value of £4,946,746

Approval of a risk allocation to be expended by the client of £500,000 in the case of a variation.

The total approval cost £5,446,746.

Procurement of a Technology Partner, which will enable SYMCA to upgrade a range of SC&C assets, which are in poor condition and reaching end of life. The collaborative arrangement will support SYMCA’s long term ambitions to modernise and integrate the SC&C systems across the Supertram network.

Not progress with the upgrade of the SC&C systems – This would leave SYMCA in a very vulnerable position, bearing in mind the poor condition and obsolescence of the current SC&C assets across the network.

Procure each individual SC&C work package separately. The would be more time consuming, involve a considerable amount of additional SYMCA resource and make it more difficult to integrate the individual SC&C systems. SYMCA would also lose the benefit of the cumulative knowledge and learning that a close partnership would bring.