Tender

Scotland Rooftop Solar PV

  • Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

F05: Contract notice – utilities

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-028265

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-039aab

Published 25 September 2023, 7:18pm



Section one: Contracting entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Waterloo General Offices

London

SE1 8SW

Email

John.Weston@networkrail.co.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

National registration number

2904587

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.networkrail.co.uk

Buyer's address

www.networkrail.co.uk

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.6) Main activity

Railway services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Scotland Rooftop Solar PV

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 09330000 - Solar energy

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The procurement aims to establish a partnership between Network Rail (NR) and a renewable energy developer for the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays across various sites in Scotland. With the main objectives of cost-saving, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving service delivery, this partnership will contribute to NR's sustainability goals and reduce its carbon footprint.

The project focuses on installing solar PV arrays at stations, depots, offices, car parks (with an emphasis on solar carports), and other viable sites within Scotland, the customer for the outcome of this procurement. By strategically selecting locations, NR aims to maximise the benefits of solar energy generation. However, ground-mounted solar PV arrays are excluded due to potential land-use conflicts and environmental concerns.

The procurement will select a renewable energy developer who will be granted an exclusive development agreement for five years, with a potential two-year extension at Network Rail’s discretion and subject to satisfactory performance. The developer will be responsible for conducting site surveys, funding, constructing, maintaining, owning, and operating the solar PV arrays. They will also decommission the arrays at the end of the lease and PPA and restore the site afterward.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £19,800,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 45000000 - Construction work
  • 45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work
  • 45210000 - Building construction work
  • 45213320 - Construction work for buildings relating to railway transport
  • 65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution
  • 71314000 - Energy and related services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Network Rail are undertaking a Decarbonisation / Energy Efficiency Programme across a range of built assets in all UK Regions. The project is part of the Decarbonisation Programme aimed at supporting Network Rail (NR) to meet its targets for zero carbon emission as part of the Government’s Road to Zero strategy.

Network Rail Route Services have national targets to achieve carbon and energy reductions in their operations as outlined in our Environmental Sustainability Strategy . An overview of Network Rail scope of activities may be found on our web site .

As one of the UK’s largest electricity consumers, NR has set targets to decarbonise traction and non-traction electricity consumption by utilising Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). PPAs help us deliver our decarbonisation requirements; reduce electricity cost volatility by fixed price contracts (for a major cost item); and provides resilience to NR’s long-term planning.

This project supports NR achieving its non-traction decarbonisation target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 by the development of rooftop (on-site) solar PVs for on-site electricity consumption. The project aims to select a developer to survey viable sites and with NR’s approval fund, construct, maintain and operate solar PV generation facilities (solar arrays) on the selected rooftop sites in Scotland’s Railways. NR will purchase the renewable energy generated via on-site PPAs. Any renewable energy generated in excess of NR’s demand will be spilled/sold to the Grid.

The energy landscape is shifting towards renewable energy sources, driven by climate change concerns, increasing energy demand, and the need for sustainable solutions. Network Rail (NR) has recognised the importance of incorporating renewable energy, such as solar power, into their operations to reduce their carbon footprint, improve efficiency, and contribute to sustainability goals. Instead of drawing its energy from traditional grid sources, NR is set to gravitate towards an increased reliance on renewable energy.

The procurement aims to establish a partnership between Network Rail (NR) and a renewable energy developer for the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays across various sites in Scotland. With the main objectives of cost-saving, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving service delivery, this partnership will contribute to NR's sustainability goals and reduce its carbon footprint.

The project focuses on installing solar PV arrays at stations, depots, offices, car parks (with an emphasis on solar carports), and other viable sites within Scotland, the customer for the outcome of this procurement. By strategically selecting locations, NR aims to maximise the benefits of solar energy generation. However, ground-mounted solar PV arrays are excluded due to potential land-use conflicts and environmental concerns.

The procurement will select a renewable energy developer who will be granted an exclusive development agreement for five years, with a potential two-year extension at Network Rail’s discretion and subject to satisfactory performance. The developer will be responsible for conducting site surveys, funding, constructing, maintaining, owning, and operating the solar PV arrays. They will also decommission the arrays at the end of the lease and PPA and restore the site afterward.

Network Rail intends to award the following;

(a) Development Agreement: Development Agreement will run for a period of 5 years with an option for Network Rail to extend for an additional 2 years subject at Network Rail’s discretion and subject to satisfactory performance.

(b) Onsite PPA: The Onsite PPA will be for a term of 25 years to match the useful life of the asset with an option for the Developer to extend for a further 5 years.

(c) Site Lease: The Site Lease will be for a term of 25 years to match the useful life of the solar assets with an option for the Developer to extend for a further 5 years.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £19,800,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

360

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged number of candidates: 6

Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:

As stated in the procurement documentation.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

In order to express an interest and download the procurement documentation you must register with the NR Bravo system at the address listed above.


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required

As stated in the procurement documentation.

three.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them

As stated in the procurement documentation.

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

As stated in the procurement documentation.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2023/S 000-002352

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

14 November 2023

Local time

2:00pm

four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

21 December 2023

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Network Rail

London

Country

United Kingdom