This procurement is for the supply and repair of windscreen wiper system components (including motors and blades) for the S-Stock, Victoria, Bakerloo and Tram Line Fleets Wiper Systems for a period of 4 years. Wiper systems are used for cab windscreens to ensure that visibility for the train operator is adequate during adverse conditions (e.g. various forms and levels of precipitation), by sweeping through the viewing area on the windscreen. Components under this scope cover the S-Stock (S7 and S8), Victoria Line (09TS) which use electrically driven wipers, Bakerloo Line (72TS) and some casualty related components for Tram Line fleet. Some components under this scope are classed as safety critical components. Award of this contract will ensure safe and reliable maintenance (and consumables when required) for the Windscreen Wiper Systems.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award Transport for London (TfL) does not possess, nor have access to, a complete set of drawings, material and product specifications, or the software required for the repair and maintenance of the Windscreen Wiper Systems. As a result, B Hepworth is currently the only supplier capable of providing replacement parts and carrying out maintenance activities for these systems. B Hepworth is the current supplier of key Windscreen Wiper System components, including the motor and TfL does not hold sufficient technical documentation, software, or associated technical information relating to these components. Consequently, appointing an alternative supplier would require London Underground Limited (LUL) to procure components with different technical characteristics. Any alternative supplier would be likely to use different manufacturing methods, materials, or designs to meet the required specification, resulting in variations in the finished product. Such variations would create incompatibility with the existing Windscreen Wiper System, as the components are integrated within a wider system and interact with neighbouring parts. This would give rise to disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance, including the potential need for system modifications, increased maintenance complexity, and reduced interoperability with existing equipment. This request aligns with the Procurement Act 2023 (Clause 41.6, Schedule 5, Paragraphs 7a) & 7b), which states; The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where- (a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works 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