Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
1 Eversholt Street
London
NW1 2DN
Telephone
+44 1908781000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Composite Switch & Crossing Bearers
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Composite Switch & Crossing Bearers - PRIOR INFORMATION ONLY
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Composite Switch & Crossing Bearers - PRIOR INFORMATION ONLY
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
31 May 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
As part of the UK railway sustainability strategy, and in the wake of the recently awarded composite sleeper tender, Network Rail would like to understand what technical innovations are available in the area of switch and crossing bearers. In particular, the use of sustainable “composite” materials as an alternative to wood and timber. In order to maximise the benefit to the railway, we would like to understand what commercially available “composite” products are available and understand more about these prior to inviting suppliers to tender.
There are 2 elements to this PIN:
1. Network Rail wishes to identify all Suppliers of composite products suitable for use in railway infrastructure. All Suppliers have the opportunity to participate in working groups to contribute to the development of the Network Rail Standard for the use of Composites in Track, and to the development of the technical specification prior to a competitive tender process taking place. If you are a Supplier of composite products suitable for use in railway infrastructure, and ARE NOT currently in contact with Network Rail regarding these products, please respond to this PIN by Friday 21st May 2021 to express your interest in being included in future working groups.
2. Network Rail wishes to identify any technical innovations available in the area of switch and crossing bearers. If you are a provider of these products, please respond to this notice by Friday 4th June 2021 with answers to the following questions:
Where possible please provide the following information: (Note: any information provided shall be treated as confidential by Network Rail and shall be used solely for the purposes of development of the Network Rail Standard for the use of composites in track, and development of the technical specification prior to a competitive tender process)
1) Examples of current bearer designs including fully dimensioned drawings detailing width, height and maximum length attainable
2) Details of the sizes of S&C baseplates and types that can be fixed to the bearer without overhanging or clashing with other internal elements
3) Details of any complex S&C layouts where non-conventional bearer placement was adopted
4) Details of installations where your bearer system has been used within S&C including infrastructure owner, year of install, axle loads, through/turnout speeds, equivalent gross tonnage per annum and approval status.
5) Details of any new developments being pursued for S&C bearers
6) Specific unique selling point details for your bearers designs
7) Details of point equipment types attached to your bearers and the mounting/fastening type used
8) Evidence of conformity to the relevant national or notified technical rules or user requirements
9) An outline of the manufacturing process including % use of recycled material used within the material composition and whole life sustainability considerations.
10) Evidence of bend test performance and to which test criteria this was assessed against
11) Evidence of creep and/or fatigue test performance including test criteria this was assessed against
12) Evidence of pull out test performance for the baseplate/rail seat screw fastenings.
13) Density of material and any handling or assembly limitations.