ScotRail InterCity Replacement Fleet and Technical Support and Spares Supply

Following the Cabinet Secretary for Transport’s announcement on 3 September 2024 that a replacement was to be sought for the High Speed Train (HST) fleet which operates intercity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, ScotRail (SRT) was seeking expressions of interest, and from those who prequalify, tenders for:

1. the supply of a single fleet/class of existing rolling stock to operate its intercity services; and
2. the provision of technical support and spares supply arrangement to enable SRT to maintain the fleet.

The InterCity Replacement Fleet must demonstrate improved reliability and availability, reduced emissions and operating costs compared to the current HSTs. The fleet must be capable of operating on existing Network Rail infrastructure on SRT’s intercity corridors with minimum changes to achieve a statement of compatibility and safety validation.

The fleet shall be of sufficient size to operate a minimum of 19 daily passenger diagrams plus sufficient spare trains for maintenance. The average passenger diagram operates approx 220,000 miles p/a.

The supplier of the trains will be required to refurbish the fleet (as needed) before it enters passenger service to provide SRT customers with a reliable and comfortable journey, attractive environment and suitable facilities. The fleet will be required to operate in reliable passenger service until at least 2035 and may be required (in whole or in part) until 2042 without further refurbishments.

With passenger services expected to enter service before the end of 2027, there will be a phased approach to the trains being introduced, with the final train expected to be in operation before the end of 2028.

SRT will conduct maintenance with support from a Service Provider under an enhanced Technical Support and Spare Supply Agreement (TSSSA+) to include all scheduled, unscheduled and ad hoc maintenance materials; off-train overhauls; technical support and continuous process improvement to improve productivity and efficiency.

The TSSSA+ includes enhanced elements:

-Knowledge transfer and training of SRT staff to competently operate and maintain the fleet.

-Heavy maintenance activities which cannot be conducted at SRT depots.

-Maintenance services at the supplier's facilities during driver training and fleet transition (when SRT will still be maintaining the HST fleet).

This Procurement was a single process to select providers of:

-the InterCity Replacement fleet under a rolling stock lease including any refurbishment and enhancement work.

-technical support and spares supply with additional maintenance and support during introduction.

Contracts have been awarded to two different contracting entities. Bidders were required to respond jointly to this Contract Notice to satisfy all contractual elements. E.g. as a joint venture or consortium with one party providing The Fleet and the other providing the TSSSA+ elements.

Applicants had their capability and financial standing evaluated and successful applicants proceeded to an Invitation to Negotiate.

This procurement was run by (contracts awarded by and signed with) SRT, its aim is to deliver Transport Scotland’s (TS) requirements. Following receipt and evaluation of tenders, SRT prepared a Final Business Case (FBC) in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance for approval by TS. This included comparison against alternative options, including procurement of a new build train (not in scope of this procurement).