Development & Design Partnership Framework (NPR/IRP including Eastern Region)

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (NR) intends to select four suppliers to the Development and Design Partnership Framework (DDPF) to provide services and works (enabling works and intrusive surveys) for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), Network North (NN) and the Eastern Region. The geographic scope of the DDPF is the area covered by the Eastern Region (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-regions/eastern/), as well as the routes encompassed by IRP, NN, NPR in North-West & Central which is identified and illustrated within the tender documentation. The scope of the framework covers the provision of professional development, design, technical, and all the services to deliver Engineering Stage (ES) 1 to 5 for the DDPF. Any programme allocated to framework suppliers will be instructed to proceed through the following ES only: ES1 (Requirements defined and baselined), ES2 (Constraints identified and project feasibility confirmed), ES3 (Minimum Viable Product single option identified and endorsed), ES4 (Approval in Principle), and ES5 (Construction ready design approved and requirements validated). The framework will be awarded through a single lot. The value of the framework is an estimate only, and as such, the framework value and associated workbank is not guaranteed. The workbank allocated through the framework will be subject to our client's, the Department for Transport, instruction and funding. The process for allocating projects is set out in the tender documentation. The initial term of the DDPF is 5 years with an option to extend the framework by yearly increments up to a further 3 years (as set out in the DDPF). The DDPF's commercial model contains an incentivisation mechanism based on a weighted scorecard driven by key performance indicators. This mechanism is driven by the DDPF's Critical Success Factors that are defined in the tender documentation. The mechanism will provide a series of commercial opportunities to high-performing suppliers including advancement into further Engineering Stages for incumbent suppliers and the allocation of new programmes based on a competitive performance leaderboard. There will be an opportunity to comment on the contractual documentation. NR will determine which, if any, changes should result in revisions to the DDPF based on the objective merit of the proposed changes. Further detail is set out in the Instructions to Participants. The contractual documentation will not be subject to negotiation. The negotiations will relate to the commercial element only. Participants will have an opportunity to update their tenders following negotiations. Initial Tenders will be evaluated but feedback will not be shared with participants. Only feedback on Final Tenders will be shared. To aid the supply chain in responding to the tender when it is released, NR has planned a tender launch briefing on 7 June 2024 at 3pm (GMT) on MS Teams. If you would like to attend the virtual briefing, please see section ‘VI.3) Additional information’ for further details on how to register. The procurement event, pre-qualification questionnaire (pqq_3272) and associated tender documentation is intended for publication on the same day (7 June 2024) which will be confirmed at the tender launch briefing.