From 2013 to 2015, Deise Engineering project managed the ScotRail franchise renewal and Caledonian Sleeper franchise renewal, valued at £8 billion, for Transport Scotland.
The ScotRail franchise, a large, complex transport system providing inter-city, regional and suburban rail services on the Scottish Rail Network, was the single largest contract awarded by the Scottish Government.
The Caledonian Sleeper franchise, an overnight rail passenger service to and from London, involved a £100 million investment to improve the service by the UK and Scottish Governments.
The scope of project management included handling procurement contracts and driving performance, managing the project team and stakeholders, developing project plans, and ensuring minimum risk and cost. All work was signed off by the Minister of Transport.
Deise Engineering’s Director and Chief Engineer directed Transport Scotland’s advisors, including Atkins Limited (technical advisors), DWF LLP (legal advisors) and Ernst & Young LLP (financial advisors) who were acting for Transport Scotland in relation to the contract award of the new ScotRail franchise.
Throughout the process, we managed interface activities with bidders, directed Transport Scotland’s policy department, produced board reports for consideration, produced ministerial reports for consideration, and managed the 75,000-document electronic data site.
Additionally, we prepared and answered queries related to bidder clarification, and controlled the risk register and stakeholder management. We evaluated bids, prepared bids, answered enquiries, and conducted evaluator clarification. We were involved with the lifecycle from bid invitation through to bid evaluation, award of contract, completion of projects and reconciliation of accounts, tender publishing, and opening for multi-million pound projects worth £MM for construction of rail infrastructure.
By effectively monitoring progress against programme, Deise Engineering ensured that both time and cost programmes were met and that the franchise was delivered on time.
As representatives of Transport Scotland at weekly/monthly meetings, our Director chaired meetings with the client and the advisors relating to franchise matters. Our team compiled weekly/monthly project management and PM reports, and registered, controlled and monitored documentation.
We managed the mobilisation of the new franchisee and outgoing incumbent.
Deise Engineering successfully established project control systems and took client briefs, as well as managing key project issues and monitoring project costs in line with approved budgets. We prepared programmes, led in the delivery of project management, and provided feedback on project progress. Objectives achieved during the project include:
- Ensured value for money
- Secured industry alignment to increase effectiveness and reduce costs
- Exploited utility and capacity of the network
- Improved journey times and connectivity
- Managed change effectively
- Improved passenger satisfaction
- Improved environmental performance
- Improved accessibility to services and stations
Scope of Project Management:
- Project delivery management
- Project team management
- Procurement management
- Company representation
- Stakeholder management
- Contractor management
- Final contract negotiations
- Health and safety compliance
- Project plans development
- Risk exposure minimisation and management
- Cost exposure minimisation and management
- Driving performance
- Solving conflicts and project delivery issues