Digital access management solution

Location

Description

Network Rail intends to establish a framework agreement with Resonate for the supply of the Initaite software along with associated implementation services, ongoing maintenance, support and operational services. The Inititate software is a digital access management solution, which is an additional system which works with our existing Scalable signalling control systems and Luminate traffic managmeent system, both of which are manufactured by Resonate. The requirement includes delivery of the new software module; integration with existing Network Rail architecture; system configuration; testing and acceptance activities; and provision of service levels, maintenance, and operational support following implementation. The award will be a zero value framework, with a total maximum forecasted spend of £47.8m over its 8 year duration. No extension options are allowed.The framework will enable regional call‑off contracts, including performance management through three call‑off‑level KPIs. All notices associated with framework and call‑off activity—including transparency, contract award, contract details, performance and change notices—will be issued in line with Procurement Act 2023 requirements. The goods and services will be delivered by Resonate under the NR(IT)02 framework contract structure, using updated schedules aligned to existing Luminate licence terms and Network Rail responsibilities.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• None found

Legal Justification

Resonate holds exclusive intellectual property rights over the Initiate system, including proprietary source code, data schemas, integration interfaces and system architecture components. As a result, only Resonate can deliver a solution that is fully compatible with Network Rail’s current deployed systems of Luminate and Scalable platforms. A review of market options confirms that no alternative supplier can provide an equivalent level of functionality, interoperability or readiness within the required timescales, and procuring from another supplier would necessitate redevelopment of core components, introduce significant delay and prevent realisation of the intended operational benefits. These constraints arise from the inherent technical architecture rather than procurement preference, and no reasonable alternatives exist. A market scan and technical assessment further confirm that, for technical reasons, Resonate is the only supplier able to provide a system compatible with the existing Luminate and Scalable environments while delivering the required capability. Any alternative supplier would face prohibitive re‑engineering requirements due to Resonate’s proprietary architecture, integration protocols and data models. Consequently, there is an absence of viable competition and no reasonable alternative solutions currently available. The zero‑value structure of the framework ensures proportionality by preserving Network Rail’s ability to consider emerging technological alternatives in future and prevents unnecessary supplier lock‑in. The requirement also constitutes an extension to the existing Luminate and Scalable systems. The proposed solution relies on the same proprietary architecture, interfaces, data structures and operational workflows. Changing supplier at this point would result in incompatible or non‑uniform system components, requiring substantial re‑engineering of underlying systems and altering operational processes in a way that would create disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance, including increased risk to system stability, additional support complexity and duplicated development effort. Procuring the extension of the existing systems from Resonate is therefore necessary to maintain system integrity. The zero‑value contract structure again ensures proportionality and maintains future flexibility should compatible bolt‑on solutions become available from the wider market.

Other Information

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