Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) Vehicle Project - AWARD

The Coventry VLR vehicle project will deliver a zero tailpipe emissions prototype vehicle as part of a larger research and development programme to develop a novel, low-cost, low-carbon rail-based public transport system for operation within the city of Coventry. The programme is a collaboration between WMG (University of Warwick), Coventry City Council (CCC) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). The overall programme is conceived to deliver an affordable rail based system that is capable of on and off-street running, be interoperable with existing rail systems and have low-carbon self-propelled vehicles which are emissions free at the point of use.

The vehicle project, led by WMG, will deliver a safety certified prototype rail vehicle to the specification outlined in the tender documents in December 2020. The scope of this contract will cover the full turnkey solution for the detailed design and subsequent manufacture, delivery and commissioning of the prototype rail vehicle. The vision is for a fully battery-powered electric rail vehicle, with a lightweight, multi-material structure, capable of autonomous operation. In particular, it is expected that this will be used to demonstrate the applicability of new technologies to the rail industry in an operational environment.

In order to express interest in this opportunity please go to the University of Warwick In-Tend supplier portal (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick).

The University of Warwick is not a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) and its procurement activities are not subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the obligations under the European Public Procurement Directives, including the European Remedies Directive. Advertisement of any contract in the Official Journal of the European Union or Contracts Finder is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation.

Please note that this project will be run using an accelerated open OJEU tender approach and only advertising this requirement for 15 days. The tender closing deadline is Wednesday 14th February 2018 at 12pm GMT.