Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Waterloo General Offices
London
SE1 8SW
Contact
Ann Marie Rochford
annmarie.rochford2@networkrail.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1908781000
Country
United Kingdom
Region 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
Other activity
Railway Infrastructure
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of Helicopter Services to Deliver Aerial Survey Work
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60440000 - Aerial and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Network Rail is seeking to put in place a contract for the provision of helicopter services to deliver aerial survey work across its national infrastructure and estate. The contract will provide Network Rail with access to helicopter-based survey capability nationally, across its Regions, with service availability 365 days per year including an element of night flying.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 34722000 - Balloons and dirigibles
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Network Rail is seeking to put in place a contract for the provision of helicopter services to deliver aerial survey work across its national infrastructure and estate.
The contract will provide Network Rail with access to helicopter-based survey capability nationally, across its Regions, with service availability 365 days per year including an element of night flying.
Network Rail has used helicopters to survey its assets and create aerial pictorial maps of the railway infrastructure since 2004. Currently, this capability is delivered by two helicopters, one covering Scotland and one covering England and Wales, with an estimated 1000 flight hours per year.
Network Rail provides the Aerial Survey Specialists (referred to as ‘observers’ from this point forward) that accompany each flight to capture and process data specified by the Regions.
Anticipated commence of new contract: April 2026.
Aircraft Requirements and Availability
Essential:
• Helicopters must be available during the hours of 0700 to 1900 each day, 7 days per week.
Each aircraft must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Twin engine helicopter
• Fully equipped for VFR and night capable flights
• Fitted with a CAA approved mount capable of carrying the required camera/survey systems as specified in this notice, plus 1 x Network Rail observer and two other passengers (such as Network Rail engineers)
• Flight following capability (Spidertrax or equivalent) to be made available to Network Rail
• Able to fly a mission for a duration of three hours without needing to refuel
• Able to mount screens and other equipment in the cabin – both fore and after
The availability of aircraft must be achieved through:
• The provision of a backup aircraft in the event of mechanical fault or scheduled maintenance
• Access to additional aircraft may be required if the need arises (subcontracting shall be permitted)
Desirable:
• IFR capable platform
Pilot Availability and Competence Profile
Essential:
• A minimum of two dedicated pilots shall be assigned to each aircraft
• Pilots shall be trained to Commercial Air Transport (C.A.T) Standard, night rated and with a minimum of 2500 hours rotary wing flight time
• Pilots shall be trained and familiar in flying infrastructure survey missions
• Pilot competence shall be maintained by limiting rotation between Network Rail and other customers
• Tasking schedules shall be set by Network Rail's observers and the supplier will be required to allocate a pilot for a daily mission that in general shall not exceed standard flight duty hours
Desirable:
• IFR rated pilot
Sensors, Camera Equipment and Systems
The supplier shall provide and maintain the following equipment:
Essential:
• System 1 - Thermal Multi Sensor System to include: HD Thermal Imaging sensors with Zoom capability, HD Visual Colour Cameras with Zoom capability, Laser Range Finder with Geo-lock capability, 6-axis or greater stabilisation, Augmentation with mapping.
• System 2 - Gimbalised Stills camera system to include: HD Stills Camera System (min 50mp) with Zoom capability, 6-axis, or greater stabilisation.
Desirable:
• System 3 - Corona Discharge Multi Sensor System to include: HD UV Imaging sensors with Zoom capability, HD Thermal Imaging sensors with Zoom capability, HD Visual Colour Cameras with Zoom capability, HD Stills Camera System with Zoom capability, Laser Range Finder with Geo-lock capability, 4-axis or greater stabilisation, Augmentation with mapping.
In addition to the above, the helicopter must also be able to accommodate Network Rail’s own bespoke MACs camera system. This is mounted on a standard meeker boom or equivalent.
two.2.14) Additional information
Additional information on the specification will be included in the forthcoming tender documents.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
21 January 2025
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
Network Rail will be hosting a market engagement event for Aerial (Helicopter) Survey Services for Network Rail on Tuesday 3rd September 2024.
The event will be hosted on TEAMS and shall commence at 10.00am promptly. The objective of this event is for Network Rail to provide information to potential suppliers on its requirements for manned helicopter aerial services, how these services currently delivered and anticipated development of the service during CP7.
After the initial presentation, Network Rail will allow time for potential suppliers to have a 20-minute meeting with the Air Operations.
There will be a maximum of 6 sessions available on the day and these will be booked on a ‘first come first served’ basis. The timings of these session are as follows:
11:30
12:00
12:30
13:00
13:30
14:00
Additional sessions will be arranged if required shortly after the market engagement.
If you would like to express an interest in attending market engagement event for Aerial (Helicopter) Survey Services for Network Rail / book an individual meeting please email annmarie.rochford2@network rail.co.uk. In the subject line of your email please state, ‘Market Engagement Event - Network Rail Manned Helicopter Aerial Services.’
You will receive a confirmation email of your booking. You will also receive a series of market consultation questions. Your responses will assist Network Rail in developing the strategy for the servicing of its aerial services requirement.
You must attend the pre-market engagement session to qualify for an individual meeting, however it is NOT mandatory that you attend this event as information shared by Network Rail during individual meetings will be made available to all tenderers when the tender is published.
Requests for further information and any questions or clarifications in respect of this RFI should be addressed to annmarie.rochford2@networkrail.co.uk
Deadline to express an interest to this PIN is noon 28th August 2024.
Please note any discussions which do occur will cease immediately should a formal competition ultimately be announced. Network Rail is committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and to following UK procurement regulations. The Periodic Indicative Notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market engagement via a request for information and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the future. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the PIN event and a response to this PIN does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this event or any future procurement.
This PIN does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this PIN and Network Rail will not accept any proposals offered in response to this PIN. Network Rail is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to or attending any PIN event.
Any procurement of any services, supplies or works by Network Rail will be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Regulations 2024.
Network Rail would like to thank you in advance should you wish to respond to this Request for Information.