Planning

RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio

RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 May 2018 at 09:04

Summary of the contracting process

The Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited (RSSB) is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of Interest in RSSB Research Project T1129 Discontinuous Electrification". This research initiative aims to explore the feasibility of discontinuous electrification within the rail industry, addressing significant cost challenges associated with electrifying parts of the Great Britain Railway. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is set for 15th May 2018, necessitating prompt action from interested parties. The project falls under the industry classification of Pantographs (CPV code: 38322000) and is located in London, England.

This tender presents valuable opportunities for businesses specializing in research, development, and consultancy services, particularly those with innovative solutions for electrification technologies. Companies that can contribute to the enhancement of on-board energy storage capabilities or offer automatic control systems for pantographs may find themselves well-positioned to compete. The initiative is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to engage in cutting-edge rail technology projects and contribute to reducing the overall costs within this sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio

Notice Description

Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrification RSSB are seeking to investigate the feasibility of discontinuous electrification. Background A large cost challenge for electrifying GB Railway is running electrified line through existing restrictive structures which often requires costly civil engineering works, services diversion and extensive possessions. Discontinuous (or discrete) electrification is the concept of not applying electrification to particular sections of railway which incur disproportionate costs, in order to reduce the total costs of the scheme in a way which also reduces whole industry long-term costs. Discontinuous electrification is not a new concept but has not yet been implemented. Previous RSSB research Energy Game Changer (T966) which included a cost benefit analysis of various discontinuous electrification scenarios concluded discontinuous electrification was either unviable, or at best marginal, based on numerous factors which included: * The requirement to manually raise and lower the pantograph was deemed an unacceptable operational risk, in particular from a failed pantograph lowering operation leading to a collision between it and a structure such as a low bridge. * In many cases, coasting through a gap was the most cost-effective solution, but this was not deemed operationally feasible due to the potentially very large operational cost of being stranded in a non-electrified gap. * Battery costs at the time were deemed too high. Although, the report states that "With a 54% reduction in today's battery costs and 3-4 years between replacement, discrete and discontinuous electrification could start to show a whole life cost saving." Six years has passed since the publication of T966 and developments in recent years have made a significant impact on the potential viability of discontinuous electrification, in some cases, directly addressing the limitations above, specifically: * Packet 44 , RFID or Automatic Power Control (APC) magnets offer a potential solution to facilitate automatic and seamless raising and lowering of pantographs. * Improvements in on-board energy storage capabilities, specifically a very large reduction of costs per kWh in battery technology has been achieved. * The improvement in the capability of bi-modes, their increasing availability and the observed trend in shorter rolling stock life-cycles for some vehicle subsystems means legacy and cascading of rolling stock is less likely to be an issue. Based on the above, the Industry believes there is potential for discontinuous electrification to significantly lower the Railway's whole system and whole life costs. Ultimately this could lead to significant savings for planned projects and tip the balance of more marginal cases and encourage further electrification in future.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/014fbe7c-2c15-415d-8783-6517c24bc0fe
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

38322000 - Pantographs

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79311400 - Economic research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 May 20187 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 May 2018Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED
Contact Name
R&D Business Partner
Contact Email
shareditt@rssb.co.uk
Contact Phone
020 3142 5300

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC2M 2RB
Post Town
Central London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI43 Haringey and Islington
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Islington
Electoral Ward
Bunhill
Westminster Constituency
Islington South and Finsbury

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735-2018-05-04T10:04:25+01:00",
    "date": "2018-05-04T10:04:25+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "title": "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio",
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "Engagement end date",
                "type": "engagement",
                "dueDate": "2018-05-15T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "description": "Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/014fbe7c-2c15-415d-8783-6517c24bc0fe",
                "datePublished": "2018-05-04T10:04:25+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "documentType": "technicalSpecifications",
                "description": "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/538bf792-7a77-4e67-8026-765ab594b545",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrif",
        "title": "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio",
        "description": "Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrification RSSB are seeking to investigate the feasibility of discontinuous electrification. Background A large cost challenge for electrifying GB Railway is running electrified line through existing restrictive structures which often requires costly civil engineering works, services diversion and extensive possessions. Discontinuous (or discrete) electrification is the concept of not applying electrification to particular sections of railway which incur disproportionate costs, in order to reduce the total costs of the scheme in a way which also reduces whole industry long-term costs. Discontinuous electrification is not a new concept but has not yet been implemented. Previous RSSB research Energy Game Changer (T966) which included a cost benefit analysis of various discontinuous electrification scenarios concluded discontinuous electrification was either unviable, or at best marginal, based on numerous factors which included: * The requirement to manually raise and lower the pantograph was deemed an unacceptable operational risk, in particular from a failed pantograph lowering operation leading to a collision between it and a structure such as a low bridge. * In many cases, coasting through a gap was the most cost-effective solution, but this was not deemed operationally feasible due to the potentially very large operational cost of being stranded in a non-electrified gap. * Battery costs at the time were deemed too high. Although, the report states that \"With a 54% reduction in today's battery costs and 3-4 years between replacement, discrete and discontinuous electrification could start to show a whole life cost saving.\" Six years has passed since the publication of T966 and developments in recent years have made a significant impact on the potential viability of discontinuous electrification, in some cases, directly addressing the limitations above, specifically: * Packet 44 , RFID or Automatic Power Control (APC) magnets offer a potential solution to facilitate automatic and seamless raising and lowering of pantographs. * Improvements in on-board energy storage capabilities, specifically a very large reduction of costs per kWh in battery technology has been achieved. * The improvement in the capability of bi-modes, their increasing availability and the observed trend in shorter rolling stock life-cycles for some vehicle subsystems means legacy and cascading of rolling stock is less likely to be an issue. Based on the above, the Industry believes there is potential for discontinuous electrification to significantly lower the Railway's whole system and whole life costs. Ultimately this could lead to significant savings for planned projects and tip the balance of more marginal cases and encourage further electrification in future.",
        "status": "planning",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "38322000",
            "description": "Pantographs"
        },
        "additionalClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "73000000",
                "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "79311400",
                "description": "Economic research services"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "postalCode": "EC2M 2RB"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": false
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-GOR-OT1207",
            "name": "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED",
                "scheme": "GB-GOR",
                "id": "OT1207"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "THE HELICON 1 SOUTH PLACE",
                "locality": "LONDON",
                "postalCode": "EC2M2RB",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "R&D Business Partner",
                "email": "Shareditt@rssb.co.uk",
                "telephone": "020 3142 5300"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-GOR-OT1207",
        "name": "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED"
    }
}