Supply and Changeout of the Auxiliary Batteries and Battery Trays - Jubilee Line Fleet

This proposed direct award is undertaken pursuant to Section 41(6) and Schedule 5 Paragraph 7 of the Procurement Act 2023.

Competition is absent for objective technical reasons and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.

Hoppecke Industrial Batteries Limited is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the battery cells installed across the Jubilee Line 1996 Tube Stock fleet and remains the only organisation capable of providing a fully assured solution without extensive redesign, validation, testing and recertification activities. The battery cells installed on the fleet contain specialist physical, electrical and operational characteristics developed specifically for operation within the existing fleet configuration.

A change of supplier would result in Transport for London receiving goods which are different from, and potentially incompatible with, the existing Emergency Standby Battery system.

Any alternative solution would require significant additional engineering activities, including:

Engineering design review and approval;

Battery charging validation;

Vehicle integration assessments;

Fleet operational trials;

Safety assurance activities;

Engineering certification and acceptance;

Configuration management changes; and

Maintenance documentation updates.

These activities would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in the operation and maintenance of the existing fleet and would introduce significant additional cost, programme delay and operational risk.

Furthermore, the Emergency Standby Battery system performs a safety-critical function supporting emergency lighting, communications systems and train control functionality. Maintaining continuity of OEM assurance, compatibility and technical support is therefore necessary to ensure the continued safe operation of the Jubilee Line fleet and compliance with London Underground engineering requirements.