Scope
Reference
Project_43839
Description
Network Rail (Wales & Western) intends to award a contract via direct award under the Procurement Act (2023) to TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Limited to replace and upgrade the existing fleet of Ultrasonic Testing Sticks.
Network Rail uses Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks, also known as Pedestrian Rail Detection Systems, to detect internal flaws in rail infrastructure. These devices are critical to the broader non-destructive testing (NDT) strategy aimed at maintaining rail safety and reliability.
Due to the specific standards required for non-destructive testing, and the current fleet of products entering an End-of-Life phase, Product Acceptance was achieved on the TrackSYS UT Lite Pedestrian Ultrasonic Rail Tester in collaboration with TrackSYS NDT Ltd and Network Rail's Technical Authority.
Not proceeding with this procurement could put the Network Rail Wales Route at significant risk of not being able to equip inspection teams with functioning, compliant equipment.
Contract 1. Ultrasonic Rail Testing Stick Replacement
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,547,000 excluding VAT
- £1,856,400 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 30 March 2029
- 2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Description of possible extension:
Extension of 1 years dependant on the maintenance and servicing needs.
Main procurement category
Goods
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
There is an additional innovative piece of equipment that could further improve the effectiveness of the products. Whether this option will be utilised is dependent on a number of unknown factors.
This additional product has also been designed in collaboration with Network Rail's Technical Authority.
CPV classifications
- 38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights
- Single supplier - technical reasons
To meet regulatory standards, Network Rail requires Product Acceptance through our Technical Authority to utilise products of this nature. This is a lengthy, collaborative process, the result of which being that TrackSYS had the most effective product.
Schedule 5, Paragraph 5:
"The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-
(a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services, or works required; and
(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services, or works."
Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 :
"The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-
(a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works."
Supplier
TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQRL-5517-XBBN
Croft Court, Croft Road
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
ST50TX
United Kingdom
Email: terry.clarke@tracksysndt.com
Region: UKG24 - Staffordshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Ultrasonic Rail Testing Stick Replacement
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government