--- title: "T1244 Characterising the Pantograph and Overhead Contact System" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED" published: "2021-01-20" --- # T1244 Characterising the Pantograph and Overhead Contact System Buyer: RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-33e045e4-7d9e-4bc7-8b0a-c3138672a7db.json) ## Summary The Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited is currently in the planning stage of the tender titled "T1244 Characterising the Pantograph and Overhead Contact System", which falls under the category of research services. This procurement is aimed at developing a Compatibility Matrix to improve compatibility assessments within the rail industry as new electric rolling stock is introduced. Key milestones include an engagement end date set for 2nd February 2021, with initial publication of market engagement notices occurring on 20th January 2021. The geographical focus for delivery is London, United Kingdom. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in research and consulting within the rail sector. Companies that specialise in compatibility assessments, electric vehicle infrastructure, and those with experience in developing technical standards will find this project particularly relevant. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as the project seeks to engage various suppliers in refining the compatibility processes and criteria for electric rolling stock and overhead contact systems. ## Notice Background As new electric rolling stock is introduced or existing rolling stock is assigned to different routes, compatibility assessments between the vehicle and infrastructure are undertaken to ensure safe working at the pantograph-catenary interface. Analysis is usually undertaken on a case by case basis utilising expert analysis, data and validated software models. This process can add cost and potentially a significant time delay on the critical path to introducing new rolling stock. Over the coming years, a large number of new rolling stock is planned to be introduced across the network, and with potentially increasing variability across designs (e.g. multiple pantographs and higher speeds), there will likely be a requirement for a lot more compatibility assessments. Through the cross industry Vehicle - Traction Energy System Interface Committee (V/TE SIC), the rail industry has proposed research be undertaken to define reference cases of varying combinations of pantograph and overhead contact system interaction, to generalise compatibility assessment, with the aim to ultimately reduce costs and time taken in approving vehicles for new routes. This research project intends to test the suitability of a such a generalised approach and to populate a Compatibility Matrix of reference cases that can be used to expediate future assessments. Objectives This research is targeted at improving the industry's understanding of existing compatibility between legacy Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) and electric vehicles, and to provide an evidence base to potentially modify the challenging requirements in standards, specifically * GMRT 2111 Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interface to AC Energy Subsystem * GLRT 1210 AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem Currently standards specify current collection criteria at the interface as opposed to being specified at the OCS or vehicle level meaning that many Full Compatibility Assessments are required as vehicles are cascaded across the network, often done on a case by case basis requiring testing and simulation on validated models with little applicability to other rolling stock. The ambition of this project is to make introduction of new rolling stock quicker and cheaper by: 1. Providing a clear set of criteria for the specifier, including key parameters such as pantograph spacing and maximum speeds 2. Demonstrating some of the existing proven capabilities for existing rolling stock/pantograph and OCS combinations Ultimately this will benefit the industry through 1. Reduced cost in compatibility assessment cost. 2. Reduce risk to timescales for new vehicle introduction, making the industry more dynamic and flexible in usage of rolling stock. Additional information: RSSB would like to invite suppliers to a pre-tender meeting on Wednesday 3rd February 2021 from 13:00-14:30. The meeting will be held remotely on Microsoft Teams (attendees will be issued with an invite to the Microsoft Teams meeting once they have confirmed their attendance). Suppliers wishing to attend the event must confirm the name and email address of all attendees to Tanja.Odinsen@rssb.co.uk, you will then be issued with an invite to the meeting ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4e9896-f8c5-442a-89f9-445e4a749be6 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 Jan 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 2 Feb 2021 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | Central London | | Postcode | EC2M 2RB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI43 Haringey and Islington | | Local authority | Islington | | Electoral ward | Bunhill | | Westminster constituency | Islington South and Finsbury | | Delivery location | TLI London | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 20 Jan 2021 at 15:05 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4e9896-f8c5-442a-89f9-445e4a749be6 - 20 Jan 2021 at 14:41 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4e9896-f8c5-442a-89f9-445e4a749be6 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4e9896-f8c5-442a-89f9-445e4a749be6 20th January 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/1dfa1b52-9744-4cab-810f-c08480276b14 Draft Specification ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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