Train Services Agreement for Class 745 and 755 Rolling Stock Units

The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where-

(a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and;

(b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

The Direct Award for maintenance services is on substantially the same basis as the current Train Service Agreement contract and is intended to be an extension of current services by an existing supplier, with the aim of providing adequate time for a competitive tender process to be undertaken.

Due to the timeframe required to contract the services, resultant services would be incompatible with safe operation and continuity of service. Adequate time needs to be provided for bidders to mobilise their bid parameters. The Direct Award is entered into with the aim of providing adequate time for a competitive tender process to be undertaken.

The incompatible services would not only materialise as operational and technical incompatibilities but would also result in unsafe operation of a regulated asset.