HS2 OCS - Technical Specification & Certification of the UK Wiring Consist

Colas Rail UK intends to procure and operate a Wiring Consist for the installation of contact and catenary wire.

The Consist comprises of two powered modules:

1. Wiring Module: a self propelled rail vehicle equipped with a four cable wiring module and two capstans.
2. Stringing platform: a self propelled vehicle equipped with an elevating/rotating platform and one wire positioning unit.

Colas Rail requires specialist technical support from a suitably competent organisation to:

1. Assess and recommend the most appropriate operational and certification strategy for the Wiring Consist.
2. Identify the applicable UK legislative, standards, compliance and acceptance requirements.
3. Support the development of a technical specification suitable for procurement and tendering to manufacturers.
4. Support the definition of the certification and acceptance process for the selected solution.
5. Provide technical support during manufacturer engagement and subsequent certification activities, as required.

About the buyer's selection process:

Colas Rail are looking for a competent organisation with demonstrable experience in developing the technical specifications of UK rail construction plant and certifying plant for use on the UK railway.

Suppliers will need to provide evidence information to HRS12 including CVs, previous experience / case studies from other projects and similar undertakings.

Pricing to include rates for proposed roles / staff to support the identified scope within the HRS12 "Technical Specification and Certification of the UK Wiring Consist" document.

Pricing to include a proposal of resource requirements against the identified scope items defined within the HRS12 "Technical Specification and Certification of the UK Wiring Consist" document.

About the buyer:

Colas Rail are the organisation responsible for the Design, Construction, Testing and Commissioning of the OCS package on the HS2 Project as part of the wider Rail Systems Delivery.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. At Colas Rail, we promote a safety culture where we are free to:

Speak up about unsafe conditions

Stop work in order to reassess the situation

Challenge each other when we feel something isn't right

We are convinced that our corporate culture and our values are our finest assets. Our Care, Share, Dare values are at the heart of everything we do. These values along with Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions.

We are proud to act as an example. We do not hesitate to assert our values of ethics and transparency on a daily basis with our customers, our service providers and our employees.

Our success is built upon our ability to harness the best of our supply chain and to build professional, collaborative relationships based on performance that ensures people get home safe every day.

Additional information: The services shall be delivered in accordance with Colas Rail CR2 Professional Services Agreement Terms & Conditions, including applicable HS2-specific provisions; copies will be issued to shortlisted suppliers.

Suppliers to submit their tender proposal by the tender deadline of Thursday 23 July 2026 by email to [email protected].

If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected] and we shall endeavour to respond to them at the earliest.