Client Support Framework (CSF)

The East West Railway Company (the Authority) is responsible for the delivery of East West Rail (EWR), a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project providing new and upgraded rail links between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. EWR Co. is responsible for leading the development, procurement, and commissioning of the railway.

The Authority is undertaking a procurement for Client Support Framework (CSF) Partners to support the development and delivery of the EWR programme.

Overview of the Intended Contract

The Authority is establishing a 3 lot / single appointed supplier per lot framework for the provision of Client Support Services (CSF) for a period of twelve (12) years.

Relationship with the ITOAE Partner

The Authority is separately procuring an Integration, Technical, Operations, Assurance and Environmental (ITOAE) Partner.

The Authority's current position is that the CSF partners will be structurally separated from the ITOAE, such that the appointed CSF Partners will not be eligible to be appointed under the ITOAE for the duration of the CSF contracts. The purpose of this separation is to protect the independence of assurance and advice, to mitigate real or perceived conflicts of interest, and to align with independent review findings on major programme governance (including the Stewart Review, 2025).

The Conditions of Participation are :-

Stage 0 - Expression of Interest and Ethical Walls Agreement where relevant.

Stage 1 - PSQ stage to include Legal and Financial Capacity , Conflict of Interest declarations and Technical ability.

Stage 2 - ITT stage for shortlisted suppliers to include Quality and Commercial evaluation.

Stage 3 - Optional negotiation.

All be set in accordance with the Authority's obligations under the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024.

Scope of Services

At this stage , the Authority has defined the high-level scope of services.

Lot 1 – Reporting and Controls / PMO Support

Programme, portfolio and pac