Delivery of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Training

Network Rail is undertaking this Market Engagement exercise to gather insights from potential suppliers regarding the future provision of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) training. This engagement is intended to inform the development of a potential procurement strategy and ensure that any future contracting approach is aligned with market capabilities, best practices, and innovation in training delivery.

The purpose of this Market Engagement is to:

-Understanding views of the supply market on the proposed scope, pricing mechanism and call-off mechanism.

-Identify any additional or alternative services, requirements or concepts that Network Rail have not considered – this information may then be considered to support Network Rail in developing/updating the scope of services for the tender opportunity.

-Identify suitable suppliers available in the market.

-Identify the capacity and capabilities of the suppliers available in the market.

-Engage with the supply market and understand the level of interest in bidding for this potential future opportunity.

-Allow suppliers who are interested in any potential future tender activity relating to this requirement, to be aware of the procurement platform that will be used and provide them with the steps to complete qualification to this platform if requested (should they not have already done so).

Please note that any content received in response to this Market Engagement will be used for information purposes only and will not be deemed as forming part of any proposed bid or potential future tender.

The Requirement

Proposed Framework Lotting Structure and Service

NR is considering the use of a Lotting Structure with either a single supplier or a number of suppliers to deliver the services for NDT. The breakdown of courses per Lot can be found in Annex B – Scope of Services.

NR acknowledges that a percentage of the delivery maybe sub-contracted with NR’s approval of the subcontractor.

The supplier may need to serve multiple sites, supplier owned or at NR premises, of which locations are varied across the Regions.

The supplier must:

-Provide high quality training.

-Ensure that trainers have enough knowledge of NR and/or the rail industry, and a detailed knowledge of the subject area concerned.

-Ensure all trainers are approved as per the Associate Trainer Process (ATP), as set out below (NB Suppliers do not need ATP approval to tender for this opportunity but this will need to be in place following the award of a contract).

-Ensure that all personnel and trainers maintain all appropriate and current qualifications and/or competences necessary.

-Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion as per NRs strategy Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail; and

-Ensure that its personnel and trainers adhere to the relevant assurances set out in NR standard NR/L2/CTM/202. This standard specifies requirements for the quality assurance of training/assessment organisations and individuals involved in the delivery of training/assessments which award a Network Rail competence which is deemed Safety Critical and requires an 'Authority to Work'.