--- title: "RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED" published: "2018-05-04" --- # RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio Buyer: RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/014fbe7c-2c15-415d-8783-6517c24bc0fe | | 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 | 4 May 2018 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 15 May 2018 | | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### 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 ### Codes - 38322000 - Pantographs - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79311400 - Economic research services ## Release History - 4 May 2018 at 09:04 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/014fbe7c-2c15-415d-8783-6517c24bc0fe ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/014fbe7c-2c15-415d-8783-6517c24bc0fe 4th May 2018 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/538bf792-7a77-4e67-8026-765ab594b545 RSSB2700 - Request for Expressions of interest in RSSB research project T1129 Discontinuous Electrificatio ## 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-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ebfe18fb-43ae-43ed-b1d4-ff57d0c04735.json.