Global Centre of Rail Excellence invites supply chain partners to Meet The Buyer
The Global Centre for Rail Excellence (GCRE) is inviting prospective supply chain partners and suppliers to meet the buyer and find out more about contracts expected to be worth in the region of £250 million.
Situated on the former Nant Helen opencast mining and Onllwyn washery in Neath Port Talbot, the 700 hectare facility features a purpose-built, modern and dynamic test facility for international rail innovation, including two electrified test loops: a 6.9km loop capable of speeds up to 177 kph and another infrastructure testing loop of 4.5km allowing speeds up to 64 kph.
A dual platform station environment will also be constructed. Elsewhere on the site will be infrastructure and rolling stock testing and research and development facilities which will create innovation opportunities to complement the testing offering.
Arcadis has been appointed for rail systems design and Mott MacDonald is focused on the project’s net zero energy strategy.
A formal procurement process (or processes) for the major infrastructure project is expected to commence in early 2023. Yet, the Prior Information Notice indicates that it may potentially include works associated with passive rail systems (including but not limited to permanent way, overhead line electrification, civils works etc), active rail systems (including but not limited to signalling, SCADA, power and telecoms), fencing, depot and buildings related requirements along with the bulk purchase of materials.
Whether or not these works will be split into separate lots will be determined in the final procurement strategy, which the forthcoming market engagement will help inform.
Details of the market engagement event have been published on the Welsh Government’s procurement portal Sell2Wales:
Date: Wednesday 2 November 2022
Time: 1:30pm
Location: City Hall, Cardiff
Those interested in attending the Meet the Buyer event with GCRE on 2 November should register here.
Kelly Warburton, chief commercial officer for GCRE said: “This is an invitation to those interested in being part of the wider team that will deliver this transformational project. We’re beginning early consultation with prospective suppliers about the opportunities, to discuss current thinking and set out our plans to deliver a modern and dynamic test facility for international rail innovation with leading-edge research and development facilities.
“GCRE has the potential to transform the railway industry in the UK and we want the supply chain to be part of this with a real focus on collaboration and a genuine sense of partnership. From local contractors to major tier one industry partners, there will be plenty of opportunities to engage and be part of our journey. Beginning the discussions now will help suppliers to introduce themselves to our team and understand the opportunities available.”
