This procurement covers the overhaul of the Jumper system (including parts & labour) on the London Underground Metropolitan line trains, required to renew the jumper system compliance and to support the fleet overhaul activities. The jumpers are bespoke to the Metropolitan line fleet, and are now due for overhauls in line with the train management regime. The design, manufacture and ad hoc repairs on the Metropolitan line Jumper system has been carried out by the Original Equipment Manufacturers - AB Connectors (a subsidiary of TT Electronics), from the time of the fleet's procurement, so there would be a continuity of supply from the time of introduction of these components by using the current supplier.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award The jumper system is a critical high safety and high reliability cabling connection that electrically and electronically link adjacent cars, enabling seamless and integrated transfer of power and communication signals throughout the train. This integration allows for safeguarding and coordinated control of various onboard centralised functional systems such as lighting, HVAC, door operations, passenger information, safety systems and diagnostic functions. The technical specifications for Jumper parts and overhaul services are developed strictly to ensure proportionate compatibility with these existing systems. Given the inherent complexity of this specification, TfL does not have the technical information to specificity of jumpers to manage its compatibility with the aforementioned systems, if sourced from alternative supplier; and without validated requirement specifications, supporting assurance documentation, or the necessary testing equipment on-site, TfL have no baseline for verification or benchmarking of alternatively sourced jumper. Therefore, an introduction of these jumpers, aside disproportionate maintenance risks, could cause unresolvable in-service failure and malfunctions (in both communication and power transfer) to and of the critical functions - lighting, train doors, HVAC, safety systems, etc - described above, which severely risks passenger and infrastructure safety. Consequently, TfL cannot assure or safely deploy an alternative solution, as trains cannot enter service without fully functional, compatible and compliant cabling systems which are essential to maintaining both reliability and safety. Hence, the justification for awarding this proposed contract as a direct award without competition is in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 7 of the Procurement Act 2023, given the technical complexity of the jumper system and (a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority (London Underground) receiving overhauled jumper systems that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

Utilities