Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”).

DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027). The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects.

The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management. Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement.

The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail.

The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as “Clients”. These “Clients” are detailed in the “Contracting authorities that may use the framework” section below.

In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.

Lot 1 provides specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport modes. Lot 1 will be sub-divided into eleven (11) Sub-Lots, across five (5) categories.

The eleven (11) Sub-Lots will be awarded based on whether an Applicant is successful to the PRIME Grade (one (1) Sub-Lot) or to the MEDIUM and EXPERT Grade (five (5) Sub-Lots for each Category per Grade). Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details.

Lot 1 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require technical, commercial, operational, strategic, infrastructure, and programme delivery advice to support transport policy development, investment decision-making, and delivery. The Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework.

DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed.

As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots.

Strategic corporate planning and appraisal Business case support Benefits realisation support Monitoring and evaluation Control and investment period advice and analysis Strategic planning and research Transport market reviews High level general transport investment strategy support Macro and micro-economic advice Remapping and devolution studies Fare reviews and policy Ticketless travel and ticket retailing Revenue protection Modelling – revenue forecasting, fares and demand Package-specific bid evaluation support AI strategy development in transport Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category B – Transport Operations and Performance Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport operations, performance and customer service advice General transport operations, performance and customer service research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.

Operational proposal package Operational management Timetabling, diagramming, rostering Staffing policy/strategy Industrial relations/Trade Unions/TUPE/pensions General transport operational interfaces Management and business structure Operational mobilisation Operational safety Modal and inter-modal integration, interfaces and connectivity Passenger communication Passenger connectivity Service quality/customer service Passenger flow monitoring Cycle and walking advice Accessibility Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon, and social value. Category C – Commercial Advice for Transport Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General commercial advice for transport Commercial advice for transport research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.

Commercial risk analysis, adjustment, and profiling Model structuring and development Revenue and incentivisation commercial advice Comparator and should cost modelling and associated business case support Commercial strategy development, delivery and assurance Contract administration and contract management Estimating, cost planning, cost data analysis and benchmarking Quantitative cost risk analysis including Monte Carlo analysis Package-specific bid evaluation support Business and commercial model design Model analysis and testing of commercial models Supply chain mapping Commercial due diligence Project management commercial advice Procurement process management Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category D – Transport Infrastructure and Asset Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and general transport asset management and advice Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and assets research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.

Transport infrastructure predictive and preventative strategic support and advice Transport hub design, layout, logistics, passenger & pedestrian movement and facilities Stations - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Airports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Ports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Depots and stabling - strategy and advice Signaling and systems - strategy and advice Rolling stock - strategy and advice Rolling stock - management, acceptance, planning, leasing In operation facilities and services Technical due diligence General transport engineering, feasibility & operating advice Power / electrification including renewable and other energy sources strategy and advice Telecommunications and digital strategy and advice Intelligent infrastructure for asset management Package specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category E – Transport Project and Programme Management Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General project, programme and portfolio management advice Project, programme and portfolio management research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.

Programme partner Programme, project and portfolio management Programme, project and portfolio delivery Programme, project and portfolio controls, risk management and change control. Programme, project and portfolio assurance Integrated assurance Stakeholder management advice Project feasibility advice Project representative Enterprise, programme and project integration management Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.

Lot 2 provides Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice. Lot 2 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require interim general transport advisors, high calibre panel and review team resources and development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies.

Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. This Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework.

DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed.

As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots.

Category F – Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice Typical requirements include, but are not limited to: Sourcing interim general transport advisors Sourcing high calibre panel and review team resources. Development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies