Planning

Request for Information (RFI) Robotics for Rail

CONNECTED PLACES CATAPULT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Jul 2020 at 16:06

Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "Request for Information (RFI) Robotics for Rail" is initiated by the Connected Places Catapult, aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in maintenance work through robotics. This process falls within the planning stage, with a budget of £1 for the financial year 2020/2021. The key dates include the closing date for interest submissions on 17th August 2020 at 12 noon, and an industry webinar scheduled for 3rd August 2020. The deliverables are primarily focused on the railway sector, with projects located in London, UK, and classified under various machinery categories including agricultural and railway equipment.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in robotics, automation technologies, and machinery suitable for rail maintenance. Companies that focus on innovative solutions for lifting, handling, and inspection will find this tender particularly relevant. The engagement strategy includes a market analysis to identify capabilities, which signals a competitive field for SMEs and voluntary community sector enterprises to participate and contribute valuable insights and technologies that align with Network Rail's objectives for incremental robotic functionality and efficiency.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information (RFI) Robotics for Rail

Notice Description

Network Rail has identified robotics as a potential avenue to improve the safety and efficiency of maintenance work. Personnel safety can be improved through reducing direct exposure to hazardous work by a robotic application, for example by automation of repetitive lifting activities. Additional benefits may include, improved frequency and coverage of maintenance inspections through the creation of autonomous or semi-autonomous tools. A longer-term aspiration is to develop a systems with the capability to conduct various sensing and maintenance tasks completely autonomously, however it is recognised that such a programme will take a long time to deliver. The purpose of the current market engagement is to improve the awareness of market capabilities, such that any subsequent development project and trials can be conducted at pace. Network Rail aims to engage in these trials shortly after the analysis of this RFI. The aim of these trials would be to enable Network Rail to accelerate their capability and learning in this area and enable rapid tests and feedback from end users, such that benefits can be demonstrated through the delivery of incremental functionality. Network Rail have currently prioritised three use cases, in order to drive the development of incremental functionality and demonstration of the benefits of robotic technology. The three identified use cases are: 1. Robotic Assistance for Tubular Stretcher Bars 2. Automated Inspection 3. Robotic Assistance for MMT Wet Bed Treatment The programme will work alongside the system's end users to incrementally deliver value and enable rapid feedback to the product's development and management. Awareness of the longer-term goal, as well as programmes of work such as In2Track2 and In2Smart2 should help inform the design of the system and the requirements that will need to be requested from the market. We will be holding an industry webinar on 3rd August 2020. You can find out more information and register at link which will be published in the Clarification Log Q&A's No 1. Additional information: Please register if not already registered, then "Express an Interest" for this project at link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register which will then allow you to download the Response template. The project title is: Request for Information (RFI) Robotics for Rail. Once the template is completed, please upload to the same link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register Closing date is 12noon 17th August 2020

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2f7bee99-f785-4953-826a-95fa47cc7ea6
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7abade56-b87e-4dc0-bf58-5aab73e00e6c
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

16 - Agricultural machinery

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42 - Industrial machinery

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

CPV Codes

16000000 - Agricultural machinery

34940000 - Railway equipment

38400000 - Instruments for checking physical characteristics

42400000 - Lifting and handling equipment and parts

42900000 - Miscellaneous general and special-purpose machinery

43200000 - Earthmoving and excavating machinery, and associated parts

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20205 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Nov 2020Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2021 - 31 Mar 2022 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CONNECTED PLACES CATAPULT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK9 1BP
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Central Milton Keynes
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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