Leasing of existing Rolling Stock for Southeastern Metro Services to meet October 2027 demand

The procurement contact named on the official notice.

The overall objective of this procurement is cost reduction and cost avoidance, through securing the best medium and long-term value fleet solution for the benefit of taxpayers, the Department for Transport, Southeastern and ultimately, Southeastern's customers.

We believe that a component of this objective can be secured by leasing existing Rolling Stock of sufficient quantity, to address the escalating costs of Southeastern's ageing fleet Such Rolling Stock must be available for full unrestricted operational passenger service with Southeastern by 01 October 2027 The quantity of vehicles to be procured on lease is anticipated to be between 350 and 810 (these quantities have been calculated using an assumed 20m vehicle length).

The precise number to be leased will be determined once tenders have been received Southeastern will require either a lease or sub-lease for Rolling Stock which meets the key requirements which will include (but not be limited to): o Availability of units in full unrestricted operational passenger service with Southeastern by 01 October 2027 o full compliance with all applicable accessibility regulations (PRM NTSN) o compatibility with Southeastern infrastructure (excluding High Speed 1 infrastructure) and all approval processes completed by 01 October 2027 o bidders will be required to demonstrate that all vehicles tendered must not compromise the inter-operability, and must support the efficiency, of Southeastern's fleet operation o all vehicles tendered must have a remaining useful life in passenger service of at least 15 years from October 2027 o units powered by 750V DC electric third rail o suitable for metro operation o doors at 1/3 and 2/3 positions o toilets o cab air conditioning, as a minimum o AC traction motors o must not worsen energy consumption compared to the current Southeastern fleet Southeastern is seeking a fleet which will operate with sustainability in mind, with a goal to reduce carbon footprint, energy usage and embedded carbon Bidders may be required to provide ongoing maintenance support, for example, the supply of heavy maintenance to be included in the lease, along with design authority support.

Alternatively, by way of a materials supply and technical support agreement, whole life cost guarantees and a performance regime