Supply Only vs Supply and Install — Which Model Works Best for Rail Projects?
Supply Only vs Supply and Install — Which Model Works Best for Rail Projects?
When a contractor is procuring TGSI tactile indicators for a railway station upgrade, one of the first questions is whether to engage the supplier for material only or for a full supply and install package. The answer depends on the project, the contractor’s capabilities, and the program constraints. Here is a straightforward breakdown of both models.
The Two Models
Supply Only
The TGSI manufacturer supplies the product — tactiles, any required consumables, and technical documentation. The principal contractor’s own labour, or a specialist subcontractor engaged by the principal, carries out the drilling and installation.
Supply and Install
The TGSI manufacturer supplies the product and provides the installation team, including specialist equipment such as a multi-drill rig for platform edge work. The manufacturer takes responsibility for both the product and the installation quality.
When Supply Only Makes Sense
Supply only is the preferred model for most SAT and TAP station upgrades where the principal contractor has established site teams and installation capability.
Advantages:
- Simpler contract — one supplier interface for material, separate management of installation labour
- Principal contractor retains direct control over installation scheduling and sequencing around rail possessions and access windows
- No margin loading on installation — the contractor manages that cost directly
- Faster mobilisation where the contractor already has drilling capability on site
What to confirm before going supply only:
- Does your installation team have experience with dry-fix TGSI installation on concrete railway platforms?
- Do you have the right drill bit specification for the stem diameter? (8.3mm stem requires precise hole tolerance)
- Is your team familiar with the AS/NZS 1428.4 placement requirements, or will you need technical support from the supplier?
A good TGSI supplier should provide installation guidance documentation and be available to answer technical questions even on a supply-only engagement.
When Supply and Install Makes Sense
Supply and install becomes the right model when the contractor does not have specialist drilling capability in-house, when the program is very tight, or when the TGSI scope is large enough that a dedicated installation team is more efficient than integrating the work into a general labour programme.
Advantages:
- Single point of responsibility for both product and installation quality
- Specialist equipment — a 12-drill rig, for example, can install platform edge TGSIs significantly faster than hand drilling, which matters on short rail possession windows
- Supplier carries installation warranty as well as product warranty
- Reduces contractor management burden on a complex live rail site
The key question to ask a supply-and-install provider:
- What is their rail safety accreditation and site induction status for TfNSW worksites?
- Do they have their own drilling equipment or are they subcontracting installation?
- What is their experience on live rail platforms specifically?
A Third Option: Supply Plus Plant
For some projects there is a middle ground — the TGSI supplier provides the material and the specialist drilling equipment, while the contractor supplies the labour. This can work well where the contractor has experienced operators but not the specific drill rig required for platform edge installation at the required speed.
This model keeps cost down while accessing specialist equipment, and suits contractors who want operational control but recognise the equipment gap.
What Railtact Offers
Railtact operates across all three models depending on project requirements:
Supply only — material supplied from local Sydney stock, short lead times, technical documentation and support included.
Supply plus plant — material and drilling equipment supplied, contractor manages installation labour.
Supply and install — full service including our specialist 12-drill rig for platform edge work, available for projects where the scope and program justify it.
We don’t have a preferred model — we work with what suits the project and the contractor’s delivery structure.
Practical Tips for Procurement on SAT Projects
- Get TGSI into your early procurement schedule — it’s a small cost item but a compliance-critical one. Late procurement creates program risk.
- Confirm colour specification early — TfNSW SAT specifications are specific about colour and luminance contrast. Confirm before ordering.
- Request a technical datasheet and test certificates upfront — your quality system will need evidence of AS/NZS 1428.4 and AS/NZS 4586 compliance at ITP stage.
- Ask about stock availability — locally manufactured stock can be supplied within days. Imported product can take 8–12 weeks.
Railtact supplies engineered UV-stabilised polyurethane TGSI tactiles for rail and public infrastructure across NSW. Supply only, supply plus plant, or supply and install. Manufactured in Australia. Stock available from Sydney.