09TS Victoria Line Supply of Vertical and Lateral Dampers

In line with the Procurement Act 2023 this Contract Details Notice is being published following contract award. This goods-only direct award procurement is for the supply of vertical and lateral dampers to support the 09TS Victoria Line Fleet with phase 2 of their Heavy Overhaul Program Lift (HOPL) project. These dampers are critical suspension components connecting the bogies (wheelsets) to the car body, primarily to absorb vibrations, control excessive movement, and ensure a smooth stable ride by managing vertical bumps and side-to-side (lateral) swaying, boosting passenger comfort and reducing noise. The dampers work together to isolate the car body from track imperfections, especially important for faster high frequency lines. ZF Group are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) who is the sole holder of the intellectual property rights (IPR) and exclusive rights necessary for the supply and maintenance . These rights prevent any other supplier from legally or technically providing the required solution. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists that would meet the specification without infringing on these rights. Therefore, a direct award to ZF Group is justified under the Procurement Act 2023, specifically Schedule 5, Paragraph 5 - Single Supplier Grounds. Safety and reliability considerations further reinforce the need for a direct award. Dampers degrade over time, and their performance must remain within specification to ensure safe operation. Introducing non-OEM dampers would necessitate extensive validation, including vehicle dynamics modelling, in-service trials, and degradation analysis. The materials are currently supplied by ZF Services UK Limited. Due to the bespoke nature of them and the technical dependency, only ZF Services UK Limited can ensure full compatibility and continuity of service. Total contract amount is circa £523,668