Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening wants the new Crossrail fleet to bring jobs and boost business in Britain.
Four bidders have been shortlisted to deliver 60 new trains. Each 200 metre train must be fully air conditioned, provide walk through carriages and carry 1500 passengers.
The four bidders are: CAF, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA of Spain, Hitachi Rail Europe Limited of Japan, Siemens plc of Germany and Bombardier Transportation (UK) Limited of Litchurch Lane, Derby. The contract will be awarded in 2014.
The Secretary of State has let it be known that she is keen to understand and communicate the benefit of this contract to the economy. ‘A number of outcomes from the Government’s review of public procurement have been reflected in this procurement, which could bring opportunities to UK businesses. This includes a ‘responsible procurement’ requirement that means bidders will need to set out how they will engage with the wider supply chain and provide opportunities for training, apprenticeships and for small and medium size businesses within their procurement strategy.’
The requirements follow a review of procurement procedure announced last August by the Government, in the wake of the popular protests that erupted after the Thameslink contract went to Siemens of Germany. The capital cost of new Crossrail rolling stock and depot facilities at old Oak Common is in the region of £1bn. This is the largest single contract that Crossrail will let.
