Network Rail adopts new model for track contracts

Infrastructure manager Network Rail has begun the process of letting its ‘next generation’ of track works contracts, with publication of a Prior Information Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. The contracts are expected to be worth up to £5bn over the 10 years from 2019.

Network Rail plans to form three ‘alliances’ with consortia

which will be required to include a minimum of one construction contractor and one designer. The alliance contracts would combine plain line and switch & crossing works, which are currently contracted separately with only S&C undertaken through an alliancing model.

The contracts would cover three geographic areas, encompassing Network Rail’s route structure:

-North (Scotland Route);

-Central (London North West and London North East & East Midland routes);

-South (Anglia, Southeast, Wessex, Western and Wales routes)

A supplier engagement briefing is planned for April 23, with the pre-qualification period expected to start in May.

Network Rail said it was seeking ‘highly innovative approaches, and a demonstrable track record of success in collaborative environments’. This would support its procurement strategy for Control Period 6 (2019-24), when it plans to enter into ‘collaborative style arrangements’ with the supply chain to achieve better value for money.

(Railway Gazette)

The post Network Rail adopts new model for track contracts appeared first on Metaforespress.