- 3 Lead Evaluator(s) for ‘passport’ applications
- 1 Evaluator for 2 rail franchise bids
- 7 Evaluator(s) for Direct Awards
- 7 Evaluators for TOC EMA/ERMA and NRC
For many years, the North Star team has undertaken a number of evaluations on behalf of the UK Department for Transport (DfT).
2015 – 2017: Since 2015, companies that wish to bid for train operating franchises in the UK have been required to hold a rail franchising ‘passport’, obtained by completing a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ). North Star provided three Lead Evaluators to assess train operating companies’ (TOCs’) PQQ applications for the ‘passport’ scheme, covering the areas of safety, customer service and Human Resources (HR). The work included specialist DfT Evaluator training, preparation of a final report and liaison/collaboration with other Evaluators to achieve a broad consensus.
2015 – 2016: North Star provided seven Evaluators for a TOC’s Direct Award submission to assess whether their contract should be extended as part of the revised DfT franchising timetable.
2016 – 2018: North Star provided an Evaluator to review all bidders’ submissions for two TOC rail franchises – one in 2016 and one in 2018. For each of these bidders, we reviewed delivery plans against requirements identified by the DfT, considering the level of compliance, the quality of each technical response and the bidders’ approach to innovation in the future franchise. We provided an objective view to ensure that the successful bidder demonstrated the capacity and technical capability to deliver the franchise requirements and financial objectives, whilst providing value for money to customers and delivering the performance criteria for the services.
2021 – Ongoing: North Star is providing Lead Evaluators and Evaluators for the evaluation of TOCs’ performance in delivering their Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs)/Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs) and National Rail Contract (NRCs). All of these involve the evaluation of evidence provided by TOCs in the areas of performance, HR, finance, business management, customer experience and collaboration against the criteria specified by the DfT.
