Station Services Mediation System (SSMS)

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This procurement seeks a Station Services Mediation System (SSMS) for Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail (IE). The SSMS will function as a central platform for processing, integrating, and managing real-time passenger information services across the IE railway network. The successful contractor will be responsible for the design, supply, configuration, integration, commissioning, support, and maintenance of this system.

The SSMS must interface with existing and future IE operational systems, including timetable systems, signalling systems, passenger information display systems (PIDS), public address systems, and external passenger information platforms. A key requirement is to support a phased migration from current Customer Information Systems to a future Centralised Traffic Control and Communications Based Interlocking (CBI) environment, ensuring uninterrupted passenger information services during this transition.

The core functions of the SSMS include:

• Mediation Platform: Acting as the central hub between timetable data, real-time train movement data, and passenger information systems.
• Data Ingestion and Processing: Ingesting, validating, and processing timetable information from multiple sources, and processing real-time train movement and signalling data.
• Data Correlation: Correlating timetable and train movement data to determine train running information and generate passenger information outputs.
• Information Distribution: Generating and distributing real-time passenger information to:
• Passenger Information Display Systems (PIDS)
• Long Line Public Address (LLPA) systems
• Website and mobile applications
• Other authorised downstream applications.
• Operator Interfaces: Providing configurable interfaces for monitoring, control, manual intervention, and emergency messaging.
• System Functionality: Supporting graphical modelling of railway infrastructure and live train operations, providing comprehensive audit logging, diagnostics, reporting, and system monitoring.
• Integration: Integrating with IE enterprise management and monitoring systems.
• Infrastructure and Security: Operating within IE's virtualised infrastructure and cybersecurity environment, with secure remote management, maintenance, and software updates.
• Resilience: Providing backup, disaster recovery, and high availability architecture with no single point of failure.
• Availability: Achieving a minimum system availability of 99.99%.
• Support and Training: Providing training, documentation, commissioning support, and ongoing maintenance services throughout the contract period.

The contractor will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of the SSMS, including design, configuration, testing (factory and site acceptance), integration, commissioning, migration, training, maintenance, and technical support. The solution must comply with all applicable European and Irish standards, cybersecurity requirements, electromagnetic compatibility requirements, and Iarnród Éireann technical standards. A minimum eight-year product support commitment, including lifecycle management, cybersecurity updates, obsolescence management, and platform refresh options, is mandatory. The contract covers all necessary software, licences, configuration, integration, documentation, training, commissioning, maintenance, and technical support.

3. Background & buyer context

Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail (IE) is procuring this Station Services Mediation System (SSMS) under the Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU) and associated Irish national legislation. IE operates in the transport sector and is classified as a utility undertaking. The procurement process is being managed by IE, with its registered office at Connolly Station, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. The SSMS is intended to modernise passenger information systems, facilitating a phased migration from existing Customer Information Systems to a future Centralised Traffic Control and Communications Based Interlocking (CBI) environment. This initiative aligns with the need for enhanced operational efficiency and improved passenger experience across the IE network. The procurement is being conducted through a two-stage process: pre-qualification (PQQ) followed by a tender stage.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, applicants must meet the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 (exclusive of VAT) for the last three audited financial year ends. If relying on a parent company for this requirement, the parent company must provide the necessary details and a Declaration of Eligibility.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: Applicants must provide details of their ISO 9001:2015 certification (or equivalent accredited Quality Management System). Compliance with EN ISO 9001:2015 or an equivalent internationally recognised standard is required. ISO 14001 or equivalent is also mentioned.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Applicants must also complete the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) in its entirety, including all parts of Appendix 1. Declarations of Eligibility are required from the applicant, all members of a consortium, and any sub-contractors. If an applicant relies on the resources of any third party (including sub-contractors) to meet selection criteria, specific arrangements and documentation, including a legally binding Letter of Undertaking/Support, must be provided.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring methodology will be detailed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation issued to shortlisted applicants. However, the PQQ states that applicants must score a minimum of 40% of the allocated marks under specific criteria. The overall award will be based on a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) basis, which typically involves a balance of quality and price.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria