E.11 It is likely that a rail procurement could be undertaken on the following basis (under an NPD structure):-
i. Design and Build
ii. Design, Build and Maintain
iii. Design, Build, Finance and Maintain
E.13 Under all scenarios private and public finance could be used wholly or in combination. There will also be different levels of handover that can be contracted for, for example post the D&B, the contractor could
- handover the infrastructure (tested against the specification)
- handover the infrastructure fully tested prior to commercial services
- handover the infrastructure fully tested post a period of initial services, dealing with interface issues (i.e. beyond "snagging") of say vehicles for a defined period (e.g. 12 months), and being responsible for maintenance over this period
E.14 For i., ii. and iii. it will be important to assess these options for VfM against qualitative VFM and wider VfM factors in accord with the guidance above.
E.15 It will also be important to assess the options, against a situation where an organisation like Network Rail (for example where Network Rail can transact directly with Scottish Government to deliver some or all of the above options) where it could deliver the defined option.
E.16 Further, consideration of an organisation like Network Rail as a subcontractor to private sector bidders in options i., ii. and iii. must also be considered.
E.17 In all circumstances regulatory, statutory and vires issues must be considered of the promoter and the Scottish Government and fully evaluated as part of option appraisal (qualitative and quantitative).