Pre Market Engagement: Portable Mobile Phone charging Units

The current requirement is for a facility to provide passengers with portable mobile phone charging in, but not exhaustive to 15 NR managed stations. It should be noted that NR is not committing to the installation of a facility at all locations; the lists provided in the RFI submission document that accompanies this notice shows the number of locations where we may wish to utilise such a facility with the majority being installed in stations.

We understand that “one solution fits all’ may not be appropriate in every environment the portable charging solution is situated in and recognise that a range of options may be applicable such as a vending machine solution and / desk top facility (e.g. hand to hand solution). NR is seeking to understand the full range of solutions that are available in the marketplace. Interested Suppliers may propose a range of available options but should explain their suitability in differing environments. All assets must comply with vigorous safety standards, details of which can be provided at a later stage.

Supplier Expectations

• Supplier will own and manage the asset
• Fully portable / hire out solution
• Secure Payment Method
• A solution that will generate income for Network Rail
• Suppliers working in a sustainable fashion

The purpose of this RFI is to engage with the supply base and request information relating to the existing solutions available in the market, specifically this RFI will look to address the following areas:

• Identify the existing solutions available in the market;
• Identify the functionality and capabilities of the solutions available in the market, suitable operating environments and associated maintenance requirements;
• Understand how the solution will keep up to date with new technological advancements in the telecoms market e.g. as new models or phones are introduced;
• Understand how this type of facility can be used securely and safely in NR Stations;
• Understand the reliability of the solutions and how performance is measured, including user satisfaction measures;
• Understand the current innovation within the marketplace to support NR in developing requirements for any potential future tender activity;
• Identify any additional capabilities or concepts that NR have not considered – this information can then be used to support NR in developing its requirements for any potential future tender activity;
• Identify indicative costs of the solutions available and how these are securely charged to the user; and
• Understanding the commercial models of each business.

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

NR may be looking to tender this requirement in the near future. Any potential tender event in relation to this requirement will be issued via the NR procurement platform – Bravo which can be found at the following link: networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html ↗.

Please note any discussions which do occur will cease immediately should a formal competition ultimately be announced. NR is committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and to following EU procurement regulations.

The Periodic Indicative Notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market engagement via a request for information and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the future. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the PIN event and a response to this PIN does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this event or any future procurement.

This PIN does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this PIN and NR will not accept any proposals offered in response to this PIN. Additional information: NR is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to or attending any PIN event. Any procurement of any services, supplies or works by NR will be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016.