Refresh of Enterprise Train Fleet

Description

Translink is seeking qualified contractors to assist with the Asset Renewal of the ‘Enterprise’ train fleet. This initiative, proposed by Northern Ireland Railways Company Ltd (NIR), aims to enhance the cross-border inter-city train service between Dublin Connolly in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Grand Central in Northern Ireland. The service, which utilises four sets of push-pull consists, has been in operation since 1997. Now 27 years old, the fleet requires a final phase of asset renewal to ensure reliability, safety and compliance with the customer satisfaction standards set by Translink and Irish Rail. In collaboration with Irish Rail and as part of the Enterprise Fleet Life Cycle Maintenance Programme, 28 coaches, 4 generator vans, and 8 locomotives undergo heavy maintenance and asset renewal every 4 to 6 years. This work package will focus on the refurbishment of 4No. generator vans and 28No. coaches (4 of which are Catering Cars). Lot 1: Before initiating a competitive tender process, Translink aims to engage with the marketplace to gather insights that will shape the sourcing strategy for this contract and, consequently, the procurement process. It is expected that this procurement exercise will be divided into separate workstreams, which will be confirmed following the premarket engagement and an information gathering phase. We wish to engage with experienced contractors who can meet the requirements outlined in this notice and can demonstrate relevant experience delivering projects in a railway environment or an ability to deliver products with relevant safety certification for use in a railway environment. Work packages are anticipated to be: Generator Engine Overhaul Bodywork Repairs Coupler Overhaul Carpet Refresh Seat Retrim Toilet Door Overhaul Seat Reservation System Overhaul Catering Equipment Interested suppliers should register their interest by emailing their contact details to: Andrew Campbell at andrew.campbell@translink.co.uk We anticipate holding meetings with interested parties Dec 2024 / Jan 2025. Additional information: Suppliers registering their interest in participating in this exercise should note that:. 1. This Notice is to initiate a market engagement and. information gathering exercise and does not indicate the start of a procurement exercise. It is instead intended to act as an informal market research document providing a brief synopsis of Translink’s’ future requirements. This document is not intended to provide. a definitive list of requirements.. 2. We intend to invite interested suppliers to discuss Asset Renewal – Refresh of Enterprise Train Fleet and associated work as briefly described in II.1.4) Short description.. 3. This. document is not a tender specification nor request for quotation. Translink is merely investigating market opportunities at this stage without entering any contractual or financial commitments. . 4. Please note, progress in the project will be subject to the availability. and timing of funding. If this requirement is given financial approval, it will be tendered under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. Any documents, discussions, presentations, demonstrations, or clarifications submitted for. this Market Research will not be considered. as any part of the tender exercise. If Translink does decide to proceed with a competitive tender process, a separate detailed tender. specification document will be produced as part of that process. . 5. Nothing in this advertisement or any other documents or information provided by Translink or any of its advisers or agents is to be construed as implying a commitment by Translink to place any Contract, now. or in the future with any participating supplier in respect of the requirement under consideration.. 6. Translink takes no responsibility. for any actions or decisions taken, costs incurred, or commitments made by interested parties in responding to this notice or by being. involved in any subsequent discussions in this market engagement and information gathering exercise. . 7. At this stage it is not possible to give an accurate timeframe for this requirement. .