Scope
Reference
ETCS System Safety Assurance
Description
The Safety Assurance supplier will be responsible to support obtaining necessary approvals to support delivery of works.
The safety assurance supplier will adhere to principles and standards in place according to the following:
Application of the Common Safety method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (NR Standard NR/L2/RSE/100/02).
Commission Regulation (EU) 402/2013.
The Future works scope is a modification to the in-service ETCS system operating between Heathrow (Stage A) and Ealing Broadway (Stage TB2), with the safety assurance expected to build upon the existing works and documentation produced for these stages.
Contract 1. ETCS System Safety Assurance
Supplier
Contract value
- £420,614.17 excluding VAT
- £504,737 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 February 2026 to 31 December 2026
- 10 months, 27 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34632200 - Electrical signalling equipment for railways
- 45234115 - Railway signalling works
- 72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Not Applicable
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
The Western ETCS L2 project, commissioned in November 2023, represents the UK’s first mainline deployment of ETCS Level 2. Synergy Rail was competitively appointed through all prior phases of the project since 2015 via the W&W Safety Assurance Framework (CP6), delivering end-to-end system assurance from GRIP 3 feasibility through to system commissioning and early post-commissioning support.
Key services provided included:
Development of the safety and acceptance strategy
Interoperability verification and regulatory support
Management of product acceptance processes.
Oversight of all V&V activities and testing phases
Completion of safety justifications for operational non-compliances Synergy Rail’s contributions were highly commended by both FCCS SRP and ORR, with ORR explicitly recommending their methodology be used as a template for future ETCS deployments.
Justification
With the project now in a “post-commissioning enhancement and non-compliance resolution phase”, continuity of system knowledge, safety case integrity and structure, and regulatory confidence are critical to the successful engagement with 4SP/FCCS-SRP and W&W -SRP and deployment.
Synergy Rail is uniquely qualified for the following reasons:
Unmatched technical familiarity with the deployed system, including contractors architecture, assurance processes, structure of the System Safety Case , Interoperability arguments, the Technical File and bespoke safety justifications used in deployment of the current ETCS L2 Solution.
End-to-end project involvement, eliminating the onboarding risks and delays of a new provider Demonstrated regulatory credibility, having delivered a model process acknowledged by the ORR and FSSC-SRP have engendered trust and confidence in submissions streamlining both time to resolution and reduced the “Pull” on critical limited Regulator and Panel member involvement.
Established relationships with Network Rail Engineering, Assurance Panel members and project teams
Appointing an alternative provider would likely increase final cost, delay critical updates, and undermine continuity of safety oversight and drive increased Panel engagement in submissions and assessment time. Therefore, a Direct Award is the most practical, economical, and low-risk procurement approach for the Industry as a whole.
Supplier
SYNERGY RAIL
- Companies House: 07052630
264 High Street
Beckenham
BR3 1DZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKI61 - Bromley
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. ETCS System Safety Assurance
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Contact name: Gavin Jones
Telephone: +447734646598
Email: gavin.jones2@networkrail.co.uk
Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government