CP7 Cambrian Midlife Obsolescence Management (CMOM)

Description

Network Rail intends to procure works, goods and associated services to address obsolescence across the Cambrian European Train Control System (ETCS). The requirement includes the replacement, upgrade, modification, integration, testing and commissioning of obsolete hardware and software associated with the Radio Block Centre (RBC), SILAM, SICAM, Ansaldo SEI interlocking and MTOR object controllers, Llanbadarn LEU, RCCS and GEST systems. The contract will also include associated design, assurance, system interfaces, installation, testing and commissioning, training, documentation, spares and support requirements necessary to deliver and support the obsolescence works. The objective is to address existing and emerging obsolescence risks, improve system supportability and resilience, maintain compatibility with the existing Cambrian ETCS architecture, and support the continued safe and reliable operation of the railway.

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

Gavin Jones

gavin.jones2@networkrail.co.uk

Contract period

7 Dec 2026 → 22 Dec 2028

Value incl. VAT

£5.4m

Category

works

Awarded suppliers

• Compagnie des Signaux · GB-PPON-PBJQ-7674-GQZH · FR, FR

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

Direct award justification – Schedule 5, paragraph 7: The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where— (a)a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b)the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. The requirement is for the partial replacement and renewal of obsolete components within the existing Cambrian ETCS system, rather than replacement of the overall signalling system. The existing Cambrian ETCS system incorporates route-specific signalling principles, interlocking functionality, HMI arrangements and operational interfaces that form part of the existing Compagnie des Signaux (CSEE) system architecture. The replacement SEI interlocking, RBC, workstation and lineside equipment must maintain compatibility and interoperability with the existing infrastructure and associated legacy systems, including RCCS, GEST TSR/TRAIN, SILAM, MTORs, signaller HMI and existing rolling stock interfaces. A change in supplier would result in the provision of equipment and associated systems that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing CSEE system architecture and its interfaces. Addressing those differences or incompatibilities would require significant modification, redesign or replacement of existing interfacing systems, potentially including the control centre, interlocking, RBC and HMI, together with associated design, validation, assurance, rolling-stock compatibility and operator-training activities. These incompatibilities would therefore result in disproportionate technical difficulties in the operation and maintenance of the existing Cambrian ETCS system. The necessary intervention would materially change the requirement from the partial replacement of obsolete components to a wider re-signalling programme involving significant additional scope and technical complexity. Accordingly, the requirement is for the existing supplier to provide replacement goods, services and associated works that maintain compatibility and interoperability with the existing CSEE system and avoid the disproportionate technical difficulties that would arise from introducing incompatible equipment.