GWR - Hose assemblies, associated fittings and components

Procurement description

This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway (GWR). That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of GWR, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme.

If transfer takes place before the contract award the successor operator shall assume all the rights of the Client set out in this document. All references to the Client shall be deemed to refer to the successor operator for the purposes of this procurement and the successor operator shall be entitled to continue or terminate this procurement as if it was involved.

GWR procures a range of specialist hose assemblies and associated components to support the maintenance and continued operation of its rolling stock fleet and depot equipment.

The requirement includes hose assemblies and associated fittings and components used across a range of rolling stock engineering applications. The supplier may also be required to provide component identification, technical support, manufacture or assembly of replacement hoses and responsive delivery where operational requirements arise.

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

A.B. HOSES & FITTINGS LIMITED

Procedure type

Direct award

Description of how these justifications apply

The requirement relates to specialist hose assemblies used within GWR's existing rolling stock fleet. AB Hoses currently supplies products that meet the relevant technical, compatibility and operational requirements associated with the existing equipment.

For the relevant products, changing supplier or introducing an alternative product may require GWR to establish technical compatibility and undertake additional engineering assessment, testing and approval. Where this is required, a change of supplier could result in disproportionate technical difficulties, additional cost and delay, with potential impacts on fleet maintenance and availability.

The agreement will be non-exclusive. GWR will therefore retain the ability to source products from alternative suppliers where suitable technically compliant alternatives are available and where doing so represents an appropriate commercial outcome. The agreement does not guarantee AB Hoses exclusivity over GWR's wider hose requirements.

The direct award is therefore intended to provide an appropriate contractual mechanism for the continued supply of existing and compatible products from AB Hoses, while preserving GWR's ability to utilise alternative sources where appropriate.

Direct award justification

Additional repeat extension partial replacement

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Utilities

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 30 November 2028