European Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Early Works - Stage 2 (Develop) Support Services

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice London St. Pancras Highspeed's current TVM430 signalling system is reaching obsolescence, creating increasing operational, safety and resilience risks. Without intervention, system reliability and lifecycle issues are expected to significantly impact network performance from the 2030s. Stage 1 of the upgrade programme—delivered with SYSTRA—produced an Operational Context Document, a Technical Strategy with long‑ and short‑list options, and a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) in WebTAG format. This completed the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) Stage 1: Determine. LSPH and its stakeholders are now progressing to RNEP Stage 2: Develop, requiring specialist external consultancy support throughout 2026. Stage 2 will resolve key strategic questions, including the preferred technology solution for replacing TVM430, the funding approach within the HS1 regulatory and concession framework, the suitability of innovative commercial models, strategic opportunities, and the project delivery and scope choices that minimise whole‑life cost. Additional strategic issues may be identified collaboratively during the process. Summary of requirement Stage 2 has an estimated duration of six months, extending if an option to complete on-site surveys is executed, and aims to evaluate a range of delivery options for introducing ERTMS on High Speed 1. The assessment will include but not be limited to benefits, costs, deliverability, and operational impacts. The objective is to secure full stakeholder agreement on a single, coherent project delivery strategy for ERTMS implementation. To complete Stage 2, the appointed consultant will deliver: • Confirmation of the preferred technical option, commercial delivery model, funding route, and integrated project delivery model. • Long‑list and short‑list optioneering across technical, commercial, and funding dimensions to determine the integrated delivery model. • A whole‑life cost estimate for the integrated delivery model. • A delivery schedule through to entry into service and handover to maintenance. • A comprehensive RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies) register in the authority’s format. • All Deliverables from the Deliverables Register (to be provided). • Satisfy paragraphs A.6 to A.11 of the latest Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline guidance to enable progression to the next phase. Required Outcome All relevant stakeholders support and agree to the implementation of a single, coherent project delivery strategy for ERTMS on High Speed 1. Timescales and Procedure The Contracting Authority intends to follow a Competitive Flexible procedure in this procurement. The Contracting Authority intends to publish a tender notice in April 2026 and award a contract in September 2026.