--- title: "RSSB2722 - T1158 - Assessing the Case for Implementing a Long-Term Gauging Strategy" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED" published: "2018-11-22" --- # RSSB2722 - T1158 - Assessing the Case for Implementing a Long-Term Gauging Strategy Buyer: RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145.json) ## Summary The Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited is conducting a tender for the project titled "RSSB2722 - T1158 - Assessing the Case for Implementing a Long-Term Gauging Strategy." This procurement falls under the industry category of research and development services, based in London, England. The open procurement process is currently in the Tender stage, with a submission deadline set for 21 December 2018. The estimated value of the contract ranges from £135,000 to £150,000, and it entails a contract period from 21 January 2019 to 31 October 2019. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in research and consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in engineering and infrastructure development. Firms that can demonstrate capability in conducting economic studies or showcasing benefits of large-scale engineering projects may find this to be a lucrative contract. The emphasis on improving the rail network's efficiency and capacity could attract a range of companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises looking to engage in major infrastructure initiatives. ## Notice Across Europe the distance between the rails (the track gauge) has long been harmonised. However, due to the historical nature of the development of Britain's infrastructure, compared to Continental Europe, GB has much less space around the tracks (known as the loading gauge) and there remains a large degree of variability in vehicle clearance around the network. There are potentially significant benefits to having both larger and more consistent loading gauges. Larger gauges could enable greater capacity by allowing use of larger passenger rolling stock and larger freight to be transported. More consistent gauging would improve route interoperability, improved utilisation of rolling stock, and a better platform train interface for the passenger. With the ambition to unlock these benefits, the Vehicle Structures Systems Interface Committee (V/S SIC) have drafted a Gauging Strategy (V/S GS) that outlines a vision for very long term (50 years) planning in Great Britain which is outlined in A. - D. below: A. Maximise Capacity on Great Britain's Rail Network by adopting the largest cost-effective gauge over a core, nationwide network; B. Define and implement standard infrastructure and vehicle gauges and provide an optimised Customer experience at the Platform / Train Interface; C. Lower Costs of gauging to the industry; D. Contribute to Great Britain's reduction in Carbon emissions through modal shift. However, gauging enhancements are typically expensive, and the very long asset life of civil engineering structures means that benefits from such enhancements can take a very long time to be realised. The justification of any significant gauging enhancement therefore requires a good business case for progression. In addition to the current appraisal process, the justification of individual enhancements will likely require consideration of benefits to the wider system, however the approach to quantifying these benefits is not established and are likely complex. Finally, for the benefits to be realised, an approach must be agreed and defined with support at both the policy and practitioner level, and this approach needs to be consistent over the long term. This VS GS has been endorsed in principle by the Technical Leadership Group (TLG) and the Planning Oversight Group (POG) , with the caveat that before full commitment can be given to the strategy, there is a requirement for evidence-based research to support the principles. A detailed economic study was therefore recommended by the groups to better understand the costs and benefits of implementing such a strategy, and if applicable, how it can be implemented to optimise this investment. Previous work There has already been a significant amount of work in this area. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) published a Gauging Policy . ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/64b7c274-96a0-4b76-8980-4c2b27f89354 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 22 Nov 2018 | | Submission deadline | 21 Dec 2018 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 21 Jan 2019 - 31 Oct 2019 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £150,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ## Release History - 22 Nov 2018 at 10:42 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/64b7c274-96a0-4b76-8980-4c2b27f89354 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/64b7c274-96a0-4b76-8980-4c2b27f89354 22nd November 2018 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/15d9c75e-13cd-4cad-9a0c-f486481c72af RSSB2722 - T1158 - Assessing the Case for Implementing a Long-Term Gauging Strategy - I.T.T - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/c63206f1-90c5-40f6-a8ef-9ef9aeb9fe85 RSSB2722 - T1158 - Assessing the Case for Implementing a Long-Term Gauging Strategy - Terms and Conditions - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7ca7296f-c3a5-4954-a684-b462fc905dd7 Commercial Pricing Schedule ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-78503498-5c91-4a91-83ef-412ff1990145.json.