HS2 Ltd has issued a PIN to gather insights on its procurement strategy.
- The initiative aims to shape the approach for railway operations and maintenance.
- Phase one of the £57bn project between London and Birmingham will open between 2029-2033.
- The consultation follows the Infrastructure Management Readiness and Operations Group rounds.
- The National Audit Office criticised wasted resources due to project cancellations.
HS2 Ltd is extending an invitation to various organisations for participation in a market engagement exercise that focuses on shaping its procurement strategy for railway operations and maintenance. The high-speed rail company has issued a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) as a formal call for input from suitably experienced organisations, urging them to engage in this crucial process. The goal of this approach is to inform and finalise the development of a comprehensive procurement and contracting framework.
This initiative is poised to influence the operational strategies for phase one of the £57 billion megaproject connecting London and Birmingham. The initial phase is scheduled to commence operations between 2029 and 2033, marking a significant milestone in British infrastructure development. This engagement exercise is part of a broader systematic effort to incorporate stakeholder feedback into planning, following previous rounds branded as Infrastructure Management Readiness in June 2023, and the HS2 Operations Group, initiated in October 2023.
It is crucial to note that this market consultation operates independently from the primary £50 million contract procurement anticipated to begin in January 2025. While participation in the engagement will provide valuable insights and potentially shape the procurement approach, the PIN explicitly states that non-participation will not disqualify organisations from engaging in future competitive bidding processes.
In a sobering assessment, the National Audit Office has highlighted inefficiencies relating to the project’s northern sections, which have been cancelled. The watchdog noted that this cancellation resulted in wasted expenditure, undermining the project’s initial objectives and compromising the broader goal of enhancing national rail capacity.
This strategic engagement with the market reflects HS2 Ltd’s commitment to refining procurement practices while addressing previous inefficiencies.
