Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2020-09-16
Buyer: Northern Trains Ltd
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 32422000

Technical requirements: Northern Trains has obligations to modify and install certain train fleets with passenger WiFi and networked equipment and is currently part way through a programme of works to install and commission these systems. Northern now needs to secure the provision of further equipment to complete the programme of works on its remaining fleets of trains requiring the modification.
Northern Trains has obligations to modify and install certain train fleets with passenger WiFi and networked systems equipment and is currently part way through a programme of works to install and commission these systems. Northern now needs to secure the provision of further equipment to complete the programme of works on its remaining fleets of trains requiring the modification.
The equipment provided under this contract will need to integrate and operate seamlessly with existing WiFi and Network equipment already installed on Northern's existing fleets.
The scope of the procurement will cover the supply and commissioning of WiFi and Network equipment required for installing to 131 two car diesel multiple units, 2 three car diesel multiple units and 16 four car electrical multiple units.
The variation of the contract is permissible under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, namely Regulation 88 ‘Modification of contracts during their term’ and in particular paragraphs (1) (b) (i) and (ii).
The extension of this contract, originally awarded to Icomera on the 12 February 2020, is necessary because almost half of Northern's train fleets have already been (or are due to be) fitted with the Icomera X6i mobile communication gateway and other specially configured Network equipment which delivers a proven cyber secure service as part of NTL’s compliance with the Network and Information Systems Directive. This Icomera system has undergone significant functionality and cyber security testing and acceptance by Northern to work with other connected onboard systems with which it integrates and has been proven to work with the entire Digital Train system on the train when operating as a single Multiple Unit and also when coupled with other Multiple Units to form a larger single multiple unit. Any third party’s equipment and system would need to be interoperable with Icomera’s equipment and software when coupled to a Unit with Icomera’s equipment fitted and would therefore require a re-design of the whole Train network configuration, significant functionality testing, cyber security testing and must be proven as a solution before being accepted for installation and integration into the Train fleet.
Icomera also provide a hosting, maintenance, cyber security and support service for Northern’s Train fleets which could be extended to include the additional Train fleets. For a third party supplier to provide a similar hosting and support service for their solution would lead to significant duplication of resource, servers, infrastructure and costs. We would lose any economies of scale available for supporting an increased existing equipment base which would also add complexity and additional risk to NTL’s cyber security programme. Additionally, Northern would have to duplicate training for staff to enable the use of a second back office systems required for the third party equipment as well as incur disproportionate costs associated with additional stockholding of spares for maintenance requirements.
In consideration of the above, a change of contractor cannot be made due to technical and economic factors and would cause significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for Northern.


Winner: Icomera UK Ltd