Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
FIRST TRENITALIA WEST COAST RAIL LIMITED
8th Floor, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road
London
W2 1AF
Contact
Bengu Zorba
bengu.zorba@avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Upgrade of the mobile signal repeaters on Pendolino Fleet of Trains - Proof of Concept
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
FTWCR (Avanti West Coast) is investigating the opportunity to upgrade the mobile signal repeaters on our Pendolino fleet.
To help with the ongoing connectivity program at Avanti West Coast we are looking to enhance the experience to allow customers to have the ability to make voice calls as well as use their personal data whilst onboard our trains.
We are therefore engaging with the market to test our assumptions and explore the range of products, functionality and integrations that could support our business
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK - West Coast Main Line Railway
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Avanti West Coast (AWC) is investigating the opportunity to upgrade the mobile signal repeaters on our Pendolino fleet. The new system must cover at least the bandwidths which are available today plus the inclusion of 5G.
As a minimum this will need to be able to work on the current supported networks of EE, O2 and Vodafone.
While this is for a Proof Of Concept with respect to a 9 car Pendolino, if successful then we would look at progressing further to a full fleet rollout. The Pendolino fleet comprises of:
• 9 car trains = 21 = 189 carriages
• 11 car trains = 35 = 385 carriage
o total 574 carriages
We are engaging with the market to test our assumptions and explore the range of products, functionality and integrations that could support our business. We are also interested in the time and cost constraints that are allocated to the deployment of such solutions. Through better understanding the market capability, it will support the internal review of the requirement to support the development of a business case.
two.2.14) Additional information
It is the intention of AWC to install the new repeaters on one train as a POC and trial this for 6 months to see the benefits it will bring to AWC customer service and satisfaction.
If successful, we will then return with the benefits from the POC trial to further the rollout across the fleet.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
30 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
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date
13 May 2022
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This notice is to create early market engagement with suppliers.
Should you wish to support this activity please send an email to the email address stated on this notice and in addition please provide your responses to the questions below to the same email address should you wish to do so
It is FTWCR intention to launch a formal procurement process, for which a contract notice will be published. This process will be subject to the review of the outcome of the responses from this early market engagement and the ability to continue with this project.
• Proposed Deployment of POC - Aug - Sept 22
1. System
1.1 Customer Experience
Please provide an overview of your solutions functionality to support an enhanced customer experience.
a. How would your solution enhance the customer experience to our customers?
1.2 Back Office System
Please provide an overview of your solutions Back Office functionality to support with management and reporting
a. Describe what information would be available in your back-office systems?
b. How configurable is your back-office system?
2 Maintenance and Support
Please outline your typical maintenance arrangement
2.1. How do you ensure maximum reliability of the solution?
2.2 How do you support the business operation when hardware/ software fails?
2.3.How does your solution support accurate identification, reporting and management of faults?
3 Deployment
Please outline your typical deployment timescales with reference to the indicative dates provided.
How do you support staff with training on your solution (if any)?