Tender: Strategic Rail Authority needs bespoke software development for web & de

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is the public sector, strategic specifier and its purpose is to promote the use of the railway network, to secure the development of the railway network and contribute to the development of an integrated rail system.

This involves setting the framework within which Network Rail and Train Operating Companies will deliver. The SRA is responsible for planning the rail system, and franchising the train operating company contracts. In order to support its objectives.

The SRA intends to appoint a contractor for the supply of bespoke software development and support services for web and small PC network based applications (as utilised in its internal Management Information Systems, Business Applications etc), Applications are hosted within the SRA LAN, and by a 3rd party internet service provider.

The services required will include development of new applications and support for the existing portfolio of applications. In addition, consultancy resource may be required in the fields of IT project management and business analysis (pertaining to related areas of the described services).

The existing portfolio of applications to be supported includes the following technologies: Visual Basic; MS Access (not part of the current approved technical architectures); MS Exchange (Outlook and Forms); Oracle; Desktop OS - Windows XP (Office XP); Server OS - Windows 2003; Web Servers - Red Hat Linux, Apache, MS Win2000, Mils; Web based applications using Java, ASP, Plone, Zope, Python, Perl, HTML, MySql. Suppliers will need to demonstrate skills in these areas. The SRA's current technical architectures additionally include: MS SQL Server; Business Objects; Livelink; Experience in these areas will be desirable.

Total quantity or scope: 1-year contract with options to extend for a further 3 years in annual increments, subject to satisfactory review. Estimated value 150 000 GBP per annum.

Information concerning the personal situation of the contractor, supplier or service provider and information and formalities necessary for the evaluation of the minimum economic, financial and technical capacity required: The expression of interest must be accompanied by a completed Accreditation Questionnaire showing how the candidate satisfies the qualifications required therein. The Accreditation Questionnaire forms part of the Supplier Accreditation Pack which is available at www.sra.gov.uk, or from David Mansfield, e-mail: david.mansfield@sra.gov.uk.

Reference number attributed to the file by the contracting authority: 2004/00175.

Conditions for obtaining contract document and additional documents: Obtainable until: 13.8.2004.

Dispatch of invitations to tender to selected candidates: Estimated date: 16.9.2004.

Official name and address of the contracting authority: Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), Att: David Mansfield, 55 Victoria Street, UK-London SW1H 0EU. Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7654 6860. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7654 6010. E-mail: david.mansfield@sra.gov.uk. URL: http://www.sra.gov.uk/.