UK: Network Rail is planning to establish a multi-supplier National Train Control Systems framework for the delivery of major enhancements and renewals, including ETCS and conventional signalling.
It is envisaged that the 10-year framework would cover five suppliers, and have an estimated overall value of £4bn. It would include design, build and maintenance support services for either or both ETCS and conventional signalling, and maintenance for ETCS.
NR has a strategic objective to support the development of the British signalling market and to encourage adoption of open interfaces. In order to facilitate this, it plans to provide minimum commitments to each supplier appointed to the framework, and to allocate projects through criteria set out in procurement documentation rather than mini-competitions.
To encouragement suppliers to offer ETCS for the British market, NR would make a contribution to development costs. Suppliers could also develop conventional signalling for the UK if they do not currently offer it, although NR would not provide funding.
