Network Rail appoints suppliers to Operational Programme framework
Network Rail has following a competitive bid process unveiled the winners of its Operational Programme Delivery framework, appointing a cohort of leading consultancies to the public transport sector.
The arm’s length public body of the Department for Transport, Network Rail is the owner and infrastructure manager of most of the railway network in Great Britain. To support upgrades to its network, and the delivery of major infrastructure programmes and internal projects, Network Rail works with a range of preferred external suppliers.
The Operational Programme Delivery framework sets out Network Rail’s partners for operational programmes for the coming three to six years. The appointed partners will advise and support the public sector body on, among others, the delivery of network improvements, climate change and decarbonisation objectives, and digitisation programmes.
The Programme Controls & Planning lot, worth nearly £5 million, was awarded to two suppliers. This lot focuses on services that help Network Rail with developing, implementing and integrating financial and risk controls across the full lifecycle of its programmes and projects.
One of suppliers selected was LogiKal, a consultancy that specialises in the application of effective project controls in the infrastructure transport sector. The London-based consulting firm also works for clients including High Speed 2, Tideway West, Palace of Westminster, Crossrail, East West Rail and Battersea Power Station.
Commenting on the win, LogiKal’s Managing Director Tom Kent, said “We are delighted to be appointed to this framework agreement and will provide Network Rail with industry leading expertise in digitally integrated project controls and proven major project delivery experience.”
Lot 5 focuses on engineering and technical consultancy services, with WSP one of the winners. This £5 million lot includes work such as railway signalling, traffic management, rolling stock, electrification, interoperability and systems integration.
Darren Reed, Managing Director of WSP Rail, said: “We are committed to helping Network Rail deliver a railway that puts the passenger first and we look forward to applying the expertise that has seen us deliver various complex schemes, and at various stages of development, around the world.”
Another company appointed to the framework is Costain, supported by boutique railway consultant Schofield Lothian. “Costain’s pedigree in complex programme delivery, its consultancy services and digital DNA, position us to maximise the value for money and impact of key transformation programmes for Network Rail, its passengers and the taxpayer,” said Sue Kershaw, Managing Director of Costain’s Transportation business.
Kevin Corcoran, Managing Director at Schofield Lothian added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Costain on this national framework. We are looking forward to building on the success of our 30-year track record in delivering professional consultancy services to Network Rail.”
The news comes a year after Network Rail announced the winners of its Design Services Framework (DSF) – a mega-framework agreement worth more than £1 billion (estimated) for the period 2020 to 2029. Framework contracts were awarded to a total of thirty-four suppliers.
