ETCS Train Driver Simulation Simulator Infrastructure and Services

{
  "id": "072190-2025",
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "date": "2025-11-07T16:38:38Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
    "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "value": {
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          "currency": "GBP",
          "amountGross": 120000000
        },
        "status": "active",
        "options": {
          "description": "NTL or any other Participating Authority may request additional deliverables or services (such as components of the Simulator Infrastructure) that are not explicitly listed in the scope of this procurement. Where such requirements arise, pricing will be agreed within the relevant work order, subject to the following conditions:\n-Any pricing related to design, build, or installation services must remain consistent with the rates set out in the framework.\n-All agreed prices must be clearly linked to comparable items already included in the framework pricing schedule.\n-The appointed supplier will be required to provide supporting evidence to justify the proposed pricing."
        },
        "hasOptions": true,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical (Quality)",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "name": "Price",
              "type": "price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
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              ]
            },
            {
              "name": "Social Value",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "type": "economic",
              "description": "Details of conditions of participation can be found in CFP ITP Part 3 - Procurement Specific Questionnaire."
            },
            {
              "type": "technical",
              "description": "Details of conditions of participation can be found in CFP ITP Part 3 - Procurement Specific Questionnaire."
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
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            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "34150000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Simulators"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "ETCS Train Driver Simulation Simulator Infrastructure and Services",
    "value": {
      "amount": 100000000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 120000000
    },
    "status": "active",
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "id": "072190-2025",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072190-2025",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "datePublished": "2025-11-07T16:38:38Z"
      }
    ],
    "procedure": {
      "features": "The Tender stages will be run as follows:\nStage 1:\nAll interested suppliers can apply to be considered for participation in this procurement exercise, through application via https://www.delta-esourcing.com/ Tenderbox Reference: 45S3X532Q7.\nThe Procurement Specific Questionnaire ('PSQ') will be evaluated in two (2) parts:\nPart 1: Mandatory information to be provided by the suppliers, failure to do so and in an accurate manner may lead to exclusion from the procurement process.\nPart 2: Questions relating to conditions of participation, including standard & technical questions\nAll suppliers that have passed the submission of mandatory information will then be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria provided within the ITP documentation. \nThe top 4 scoring suppliers for the technical questions and who pass all other conditions within the PSQ, including conditions of participation will be shortlisted to participate in the Invitation to Negotiate ('ITN') stage. \nShould there not be the maximum number of suppliers capable of meeting the required criteria the number of successful suppliers taken forward to ITN will be reduced accordingly. \nIn the instance where there is a tiebreak for any of the last successful positions, the number of successful suppliers would increase, and include any tied suppliers (set to two decimal places) as additional suppliers for the ITN. Therefore, the maximum number of successful suppliers made may increase where 2 or more suppliers have tied scores in the last successful position. Additionally, Northern Trains Limited ('NTL') reserves the right, but is not obligated to to take forward to any suppliers whose final score is within 2% of the last successful position. \nAll other suppliers (and non-compliant parties) will be notified as unsuccessful from the process at this stage.\nNTL reserves the right to not score any question response that had not been provided in line with the instructions provided in the ITP.\nStage 2:\nSuppliers taken through from Stage 1 will be invited to submit their Tender Responses. \nTender Responses will have three (3) distinct elements:\n- Technical Quality with a weighting of 60%\n- Pricing with a weighting of 30%\n- Social Value with a weighting of 10%\nNTL will undertake a comprehensive evaluation process to determine the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).\nTender Responses will initially be checked for compliance, including that all required returnables for the response have been submitted. If NTL does not consider a Tender Response compliant, it reserves the right not to carry out any further evaluation and eliminate the supplier from the procurement.\nAt any stage following the submission of a Tender Response, NTL reserves the right (but shall not be obliged) to seek clarification of any aspect of a supplier's Tender Response during the evaluation process. \nNotwithstanding the foregoing, at any stage following the submission of a Tender Response, NTL may require Negotiation Meetings in which the supplier may be required to present their Tender Response for the purposes verifying any aspect of that Tender Response. The supplier will be required to make suitable personnel available to NTL in order to resolve NTL's queries.  Any clarification discussed at such clarification meetings will be agreed by NTL and the supplier and documented and submitted by the supplier through the message centre on Delta.  \nFollowing the response of the ITN, representatives from NTL & TransPennine Trains ('TPT')  may visit the supplier's manufacturing site in order to assess the supplier's capability to develop, manufacture and deliver ETCS desktop simulators. \nNTL therefore requests that the suppliers make their sites available to visit within the 4 week period following ITN submission. \nThe specific dates on which these visits can be made will be agreed with the suppliers via Delta portal during or following the ITN stage. \nThe purpose of any site visits is to assess the supplier's capability to develop, manufacture and deliver ETCS desktop simulators and verify the information that the supplier's provided in ITN Part 3 - Tender Response. \nStage 3 (optional):\nFollowing evaluation of the ITN, a minimum of the top two (2) highest scoring suppliers for each lot may be invited to submit Best and Final Offers ('BAFO's). NTL strongly encourages all suppliers to submit competitive tender submissions. Whilst NTL may request BAFOs, suppliers should not rely on any potential subsequent opportunities for providing improved commercial offers.\nFurther information on the tender process can be found in CFP ITP Part 1 - Instructions & ITN Part 1 - Instructions."
    },
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "type": "open",
        "method": "withoutReopeningCompetition",
        "description": "This framework agreement will be established as a single-supplier arrangement. \nNTL, along with any other Participating Authorities, will have the ability to directly award contracts to the appointed supplier.\nFramework pricing will be based on the successful supplier's final tender submission and will constitute the applicable charges under the agreement.\nComprehensive details regarding the framework's operation and the application of charges are provided in CFP ITP Part 4 - The Contract.",
        "buyerCategories": "The Participating Authorities who may call-off under this framework are:\n- the Train Operating Companies\n- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited\n- Any holders of a passenger licence or a station licence granted pursuant to section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 and/or a passenger licence granted pursuant to regulation 6 of the Railway (Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2005"
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-24T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "description": "Northern Trains Limited ('NTL'), a Train Operating Company delivering passenger rail services across the North of England, is issuing this notice to establish a single-supplier framework agreement for the provision of European Train Control System ('ETCS') Train Driver Simulation Simulator Infrastructure and Services.\nNTL will act as the contracting authority and owner of this framework agreement. However, both NTL and the Participating Authorities named in this notice will be entitled to call off their respective requirements under the framework.\nThe scope of this procurement includes the purchase of ETCS Train Driver Simulation Simulator Infrastructure and Services to support driver training in preparation for the implementation of ETCS across the Northern network, scheduled for 2030 as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme.\nETCS is an industry driven programme aimed at standardising train control and signalling systems to enhance interoperability, safety, and operational efficiency across the rail network. Its introduction along the TRU corridor-connecting Manchester, Leeds, Huddersfield, and York-will have a significant impact NTL's operations. This transition will require rolling stock compatibility with the new signalling system and comprehensive driver retraining, affecting six traincrew depots and approximately 1,800 drivers.\nThe requirement for ETCS Train Driver Simulation Simulator Infrastructure and Services include, but are not limited to:\n- Portable Simulators, comprising:\nHardware: simulator station (e.g., screens, driving controls, DSD pedal, keyboard, mouse, headset, PC base unit, graphics card, cabling)\nSoftware: traction type for existing rolling stock as well as newly built trains\n- Simulator Control Stations: hardware & software\n- Admin Interface Station, including firewall & network interface equipment\n- Spare Parts Package\n- 36 month warranty for each simulator solution\n- Extended Maintenance & Warranty for subsequent years\n- CGI Route development\n- Multi-platform ETCS Application offering various training scenarios\nOptional items available under the framework may include:\n- Virtual Reality (VR) training headsets\n- ETCS traffic simulator workstations\n- Additional CGI route development (priced per mile and kilometers)\nIndicative volumes under this framework are expected to be:\n- 48 portable simulators in total (32 for NTL and 16 for TransPennine Trains Limited (\"TPT\"))\n- 16 simulator control stations in total (12 for NTL and 4 for TPT) \n- 2 admin interface stations (1 for NTL and 1 for TPT).\nThese volumes are estimates and may be subject to change prior to entering into individual work orders. No minimum purchase volumes are guaranteed under this framework agreement.\nThe indicative timings for delivery of the simulators are as follows: NTL - September 2027, TPT - January 2031. Other Participating Authorities may enter into their respective work orders at any point throughout the framework's duration. \nThe estimated total value of the framework is £100,000,000 across its whole duration (8 years). This value has been estimated by taking into account the potential demand from all Participating Authorities mentioned on this notice and is not solely based on the value of the initial expected volumes. \nNTL is procuring on behalf of the Participating Authorities (as more particularly defined below) and will enter into the relevant framework agreement with the successful supplier where such contract is awarded. The Participating Authorities (as more particularly defined below) are permitted to use the framework via subsequent work orders in accordance with section 1(3)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. However, NTL is responsible for the conduct of the procurement throughout and all correspondence and communication from suppliers is to be solely with NTL.\nIn addition to NTL, the Participating Authorities who may call-off under this framework are:\n- the Train Operating Companies\n- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited\n- Any holders of a passenger licence or a station licence granted pursuant to section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 and/or a passenger licence granted pursuant to regulation 6 of the Railway (Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2005\nWhere used throughout this notice, the meaning of Train Operating Companies includes all and any of those train operating companies who, currently or in the future, provide services for the carriage of passengers by railway:\na) under a franchise agreement with the Secretary of State within the meaning of section 23(3) of the Railways Act 1993 or\nb) under, or secured under, the Secretary of State's duty in section 30(1) of the Railways Act 1993; or\nc) in accordance with legislation which supersedes or amends the powers referred to in a) and b), including where such powers are transferred from the Secretary of State to another body.\nA list of some of the current providers of services for the carriage of passengers by railway under these provisions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-register-of-rail passenger-contracts.\nThe framework agreement may be novated or assigned by NTL to Train Operating Companies, or to DFT Operator Limited (company number: 07141122) or any successor parent company to a Train Operating Company, following a corporate restructuring or similar circumstance.",
    "specialRegime": [
      "utilities"
    ],
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "submissionTerms": {
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ],
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
    },
    "procurementMethod": "selective",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.delta-esourcing.com/\nTenderbox Reference: 45S3X532Q7",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
    "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2025-12-12T15:00:00Z",
    "additionalProcurementCategories": [
      "services"
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  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
      "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED",
      "roles": [
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      "address": {
        "region": "UKE21",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "York",
        "postalCode": "YO1 6JT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "George Stephenson House"
      },
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      "identifier": {
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      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@northernrailway.co.uk"
      },
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          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
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  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
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{
  "id": "071719-2025",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2025-11-06T15:16:46Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
    "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
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  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
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        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
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    "items": [
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        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "34150000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
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        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "ETCS Portable Simulators",
    "status": "planned",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "techniques": {
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "description": "Northern Trains Limited ('NTL')  is planning on going out to tender for the procurement of ETCS Portable Simulator solutions and their subsequent maintenance. \nThe aim of the procurement is to establish a single supplier framework agreement with the winning tenderer, which both NTL and other Participating Authorities (as named on the Tender Notice) will be able to call-off from. \nThe scope of the requirement includes the purchase of portable simulator solutions that will allow train drivers to undertake training on ETCS (European Train Control System) system. \nThe requirement for simulator solutions includes, but its not limited to, the following:\n- Portable Simulators \nHardware: simulator station (including, but not limited to: screens, driving controls, DSD pedal, keyboard, mouse, headset, PC base unit, graphics card, connecting wires)  \nSoftware: traction type for existing rolling stock as well as newly built trains \n-  Simulator Control Stations: hardware & software \n- Admin Interface Station: to include firewall & network interface equipment \nNTL will also require:\n- spare parts package \n- 36 month warranty for each simulator solution \n- extended maintenance & warranty for subsequent years\n- CGI Route development \n- ETCS App (muti platform) that can provide a number of scenarios \nThere will also be the option for additional purchases under the framework, which include: \n- VR training headsets \n- ETCS traffic simulator workstation \n- Additional CGI routes (per mile)",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2025-11-07T23:59:59Z"
    },
    "specialRegime": [
      "utilities"
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    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
    "additionalProcurementCategories": [
      "services"
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  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
      "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED",
      "roles": [
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      "address": {
        "region": "UKE21",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "York",
        "postalCode": "YO1 6JT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "George Stephenson House"
      },
      "details": {
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      "contactPoint": {
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      },
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          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
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  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "071719-2025",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071719-2025",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2025-11-06T15:16:46Z"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "met",
        "dateMet": "2025-03-10T00:00:00Z",
        "description": "Northern Trains Limited ('NTL') has invited a selected pool of suppliers to engage in pre-market engagement.\nThe suppliers have been selected based on their involvement in the previous simulator tenders (both in NTL and in other Train Operating Companies) and through engagement at trade shows.\nThe main aims of the pre-market engagement was to:\n- Better understand the current driver training simulator market and supplier capabilities\n- Validate the feasibility of establishing a single-supplier framework and gather examples from the market where this has previously been done\n- Understand the pricing methodologies for a framework agreement and any commercial challenges\n- Understand how the project can be delivered to multi-customer end users and how much involvement would be required from the project teams during the development and delivery stages\nThe suppliers have been asked to fill in a short questionnaire focusing on the above mentioned points and a 30 minute call took place with the suppliers to go through their responses in more detail. \nThe pre-market engagement has confirmed that a single supplier framework for multiple customers is a viable solution. Following pre-market engagement, work has started to develop a suitable contract. It gave the project team an understanding of what is available and possible in the simulator market, which impacted the specification development and tender response questions. It has been confirmed that indexation in line with CPI is a standard practice on other frameworks and that has been included in this framework."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "024314-2025",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2025-05-21T17:12:37+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
    "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
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  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051c0f",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planned",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-03-01T23:59:59Z",
          "startDate": "2026-03-01T00:00:00Z",
          "maxExtentDate": "2034-03-01T23:59:59Z"
        }
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    "items": [
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        "deliveryAddresses": [
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        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "34150000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Simulators"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "ETCS Simulators",
    "status": "planned",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "techniques": {
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "description": "This project is a collaboration between Norther Trains Limited, TransPennine Trains Limited and XC Trains Limited with the aim to procure driver training simulators to deliver ETCS (European Train Control System) driver training within the abovementioned train operating companies. \nAs part of this project we are looking to purchase 56 portable Driver Training simulators, which is broken down into a requirement for each train operating company: 32 for NTL, 16 for TPT & 8 for XC. There is also a requirement to for the ongoing maintenance of the simulators.  \nNTL, TPT & XC are looking to establish a framework agreement as part of this procurement, under which each company will be able to call-off their specific requirement, however, the specific procurement route has not been established yet and may be subject to change.",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2025-07-01T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "specialRegime": [
      "utilities"
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    "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
    "additionalProcurementCategories": [
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  "parties": [
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      "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
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      "roles": [
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        "region": "UKE21",
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        "streetAddress": "George Stephenson House"
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            "description": "Public authority - central government"
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  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "024314-2025",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024314-2025",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK1",
        "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2025-05-21T17:12:37+01:00"
      }
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  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}