Modular Lift, Design, Manufacture, Installation, Testing and Commissioning

Description of the Requirement

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited intends to enter into a contract with Explore 2050 (Trading as Vertiq) for the design, manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning of the Vertiq Modular Lift and associated services. The requirement comprises a fully integrated off-site manufactured modular lift solution including factory-based manufacture, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning and associated support services.

Justification for Direct Award

Network Rail intends to make a direct award under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 relying upon Schedule 5 Paragraph 1 (absence of competition for technical reasons).

Network Rail has undertaken a review of currently available market solutions and engaged with suppliers active within the lift and modular construction sectors to assess the availability of alternative solutions capable of meeting its requirements.

Network Rail has determined that an off-site manufactured modular lift solution is necessary to minimise passenger and operational disruption, reduce on-site construction activities, reduce railway possession requirements, improve installation certainty and support the efficient delivery of accessibility and station enhancement programmes across its estate.

Following market analysis, supplier engagement and technical assessment, Network Rail has concluded that it has not identified any reasonable alternative supplier capable of delivering a fully integrated off-site manufactured modular lift solution that satisfies its operational, safety, installation, programme delivery and standardisation requirements. Network Rail therefore considers that competition is absent for technical reasons and that a direct award is justified.

The proposed contract term is limited to 18 months and includes a break clause exercisable by Network Rail after 12 months. The inclusion of the break clause reflects Network Rail's intention to undertake further market testing and assess whether effective competition has emerged for future requirements.

Procurement Act 2023 Compliance Statement

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited considers that the proposed direct award satisfies the conditions for direct award set out in Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 and relies upon the justification contained within Schedule 5 Paragraph 1 (absence of competition for technical reasons).

This Transparency Notice is being published in accordance with Section 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 prior to the proposed award of the contract.

Evidence supporting the direct award decision, including market analysis, supplier engagement records and technical assessments, is retained within the procurement file.

Network Rail will continue to review market developments throughout the contract term and will utilise the contractual break clause and ongoing market testing to inform future procurement decisions.

Break Clause

Undertake further market analysis

Assess emerging modular lift solutions and suppliers

Review continued value for money

Determine whether future requirements should be subject to a competitive procurement process

Transparency Statement

This notice is published pursuant to Section 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 and provides advance notification of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited's intention to award a contract to Explore 2050 (Trading as Vertiq) using a direct award ground permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. The publication of this notice is intended to provide transparency regarding the Authority's proposed procurement approach.