Planning

NICC Group Training Simulator

HS2

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

10 Feb 2025 at 16:13

Summary of the contracting process

HS2 has initiated the planning stage for the procurement of a Group Training Simulator (GTS) for the NICC Group Training Facility (GTF). This project, under Project_2838, involves the provision of specialist training services classified under CPV code 80510000. The procurement will be executed using a Competitive Flexible Procedure as identified in the new Procurement Act, potentially involving a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), Invitation to Tender (ITT), and negotiation stages. The deadline for feedback on the Market Sounding Briefing Document is set for 28th February 2025 at 16:00 GMT. The initiative aims to support various operational roles at the GTF located within the Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) in Birmingham, UK.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in training simulation systems, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity compliance. Businesses well-suited to compete for this contract include those with expertise in developing high-fidelity simulators for operational systems, providing IT support and cybersecurity solutions, and designing training environments tailored to complex operational needs. Participating in this project can position companies as key contributors to the HS2 railway programme, enhancing their portfolio and opening up further collaboration opportunities with HS2 and other stakeholders in the railway industry.

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Notice Title

NICC Group Training Simulator

Notice Description

The HS2 Group Training Facility (GTF) is used specifically to facilitate the training and retention of competence of the roles as a group i.e. the interworking between the various roles required in different modes of operation e.g. normal working, perturbed, under maintenance and emergency. It builds on other separate training facilities, provided by others, that address the training and retention of individual operator competence on the specific operational technology systems that are used to control and manage the railway e.g. the (Rail) Traffic Management System. The GTF will support the training for the Traffic Manager Controller, Infrastructure Manager Controller, Shift Manager, Security Controller, Customer Experience Controller, Resource Controller and Rolling Stock Controller roles. The GTF includes a Group Training Simulator (GTS) along with workstation furniture for both trainees and trainers located in a dedicated space within the Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC). The allocated space comprises an instructor's room which contains the instructors and user interface equipment needed to manage, control, monitor and evaluate the sessions, and the group training room which contains the operators and their user interface equipment. There is also a separately located GTS equipment space within the NICC available to house simulator equipment where this is provided on site. The Group Training Simulator (GTS) is used to provide a comprehensive single platform that simulates the various operational systems, operational communication systems, and selected elements of the supporting IT operational and business applications that enable the operation and control of the HS2 railway. The simulation will also include an element of rail traffic simulation and rail infrastructure simulation. As the GTS is not being used for training on the operational technology systems themselves, it is not required to provide a precise simulation/emulation of the individual systems. However, the GTS must provide a sufficient level of fidelity to the live operational systems so that meaningful training can be accomplished with a reasonable level of authenticity - e.g., the system should at least appear as close as possible to the real system and not introduce any confusion to operators during training. The GTS is entirely separate from the operational technology systems and has no connection with them, though there will be some connectivity with corporate IT systems for the purposes of passing training and competence assessment data generated within the GTS to other associated HS2 IT systems. There will therefore need to be some consideration of, and compliance with, HS2 cyber security standards and provisions as part of design and deployment. The GTS needs to be deployed to the GTF within the NICC and the assigned rooms mentioned earlier, noting that the Instructor workstation furniture will form part of the envisaged scope of supply for the GTS, whereas trainee workstations are already provisioned through a contract with another supplier. Further detail is available with the Market Sounding Briefing Document available from Paul Markham, Procurement Category Manager - paul.markham@hs2.org.uk

Lot Information

Lot 1

The HS2 Group Training Facility (GTF) is used specifically to facilitate the training and retention of competence of the roles as a group i.e. the interworking between the various roles required in different modes of operation e.g. normal working, perturbed, under maintenance and emergency. It builds on other separate training facilities, provided by others, that address the training and retention of individual operator competence on the specific operational technology systems that are used to control and manage the railway e.g. the (Rail) Traffic Management System. The GTF will support the training for the Traffic Manager Controller, Infrastructure Manager Controller, Shift Manager, Security Controller, Customer Experience Controller, Resource Controller and Rolling Stock Controller roles. The GTF includes a Group Training Simulator (GTS) along with workstation furniture for both trainees and trainers located in a dedicated space within the Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC). The allocated space comprises an instructor's room which contains the instructors and user interface equipment needed to manage, control, monitor and evaluate the sessions, and the group training room which contains the operators and their user interface equipment. There is also a separately located GTS equipment space within the NICC available to house simulator equipment where this is provided on site. The Group Training Simulator (GTS) is used to provide a comprehensive single platform that simulates the various operational systems, operational communication systems, and selected elements of the supporting IT operational and business applications that enable the operation and control of the HS2 railway. The simulation will also include an element of rail traffic simulation and rail infrastructure simulation. The GTS provides multiple trainers with suitable user interfaces to manage, control, monitor, participate in (role play) and evaluate the various training sessions. Additionally it allows trainers to create, modify and manage a library of scenarios that can be used to drive the GTS simulation sessions to behave in the desired manner. The GTS is expected to come pre-populated with some scenarios developed collaboratively with HS2 - and used as part of testing and acceptance activities - but others will be created by HS2 training staff as operational experience of the railway in service accumulates and demands for new scenarios arise. Included within the provision of the GTS will be voice, video and screen recording and playback facilities so that trainers and trainees can review training sessions where appropriate to enhance learning and feedback opportunities. Additional information: Please capture your response using the Microsoft Forms page which can be found here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_kLg78_Ea06o1CMjTGnF7CTcGToghJhHoICn1pNvz-9UOVdYMElQV0JDSjZVSklCQUZGVUdZOFZGNi4u If you wish to participate in the market sounding exercise, please submit a response via the above mentioned link by no later than 28th February 2025 at 16:00 (4pm GMT).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04dd65
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004424-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

80510000 - Specialist training services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HS2
Contact Name
Paul Markham
Contact Email
paul.markham@hs2.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

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.

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