This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Jul 2025 at 14:25

Tender

28 Jun 2023 at 14:51

Planning

09 Dec 2021 at 22:44

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process under review involves Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, which has completed a substantial contract titled "Supply of Steel Rail and Ancillary Services." This process is classified under the CPV code for railway-track construction materials and supplies, signifying its industry category as goods. The procurement was undertaken through a negotiated procedure with a prior call for competition, aimed at concluding multiple framework agreements. This purchasing process involves the delivery of steel rail supplies and related services throughout the United Kingdom, with some services extending to continental Europe. The most recent procurement stage was the award phase, with contracts signed by June 2025, following the conclusion of tenders in August 2023.

This tender presents multiple avenues for business growth, particularly for firms specializing in railway construction materials and services. Opportunities abound for both large suppliers and smaller enterprises capable of fulfilling niche requirements, such as the provision of corrosion-resistant rail or engagement in circular economy practices via recycling. Potential candidates should have the capacity to deliver high-quality products in varying quantities promptly, a trait particularly highlighted in the selection criteria. Suppliers who can innovate and adhere to sustainability targets, such as incorporating Green Steel, will find this tender particularly suited to their capabilities. The diverse lot structures provide significant business opportunities ranging from supply commitments across extensive timelines to options for future operational engagements, supporting both immediate and long-term strategic growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Supply of Steel Rail and Ancillary Services

Notice Description

The Supply of Steel Rail and ancillary services to Network Rail (NR) for a period of up to 8 years. The scope for supply of steel rail within this notice includes the potential to include all of Network Rail and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd and Network Rail High Speed and also to those organisations covered by our external business framework including Transport for Wales and as an occasional joint procurement with HS2 Ltd. The value of each lot awarded over an eight year duration is estimated to be as follows: Lot 2a PS229.2m Lot 2b PS128.2m Lot 3 PS107.7m Lot 4 PS40.7m Lot 5 PS23.0m Lot 6 PS40.1m The direct award contract to British Steel Ltd for Lot 1 is covered by a separate award notice.

Lot Information

Steel Rail - North

Supply of Steel Rail

Potential Lot 2 - Steel Rail - South

Supply of Steel Rail

Lot 2a Long and Short Rail Package and Ancillary Services

Network Rail has appointed 1 Supplier. Long Rail/Short Rail Package and Ancillary Services. The Supplier shall provide rail in 108m or 216m rail lengths in 56E1 and 60E2 profiles and in both R260 grade and Premium grades. The Supplier shall provide the above with corrosion resistant coating as requested by Network Rail. Short Rail - The Supplier shall provide rail in lengths up to 36m in both 56E1 and 60E2 profiles and in both R260 grade and Premium grades. Additional information: Network Rail reserves the right to increase the value/volume advertised of this lot within the realms of permitted modification rules including in the case of insolvency of the supplier made by direct award under Lot 1.

Options: Option 1: Green Steel Option 2: Closed Circular Economy Option 3: Operation and Maintenance of Eastleigh Long Welded Rail Depot

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Lot 3 Short Running Rail Package and Ancillary Services

Network Rail have appointed 4 Suppliers to a framework. The Supplier shall provide rail in lengths up to 44m in both 56E1 and 60E2 profiles and in both R260 grade and Premium grades.

Options: Option 1: Green Steel Option 2: Closed Loop recycling.

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Lot 4 - Conductor Rail Package and Ancillary Services

Network Rail has appointed 2 Suppliers to a framework to supply conductor rail. The Supplier shall provide Conductor Rail in lengths of either 18.288m or 91.44m.

Options: Options: Yes Description of options Option 1: Green Steel Option 2: Closed Circular Economy

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Lot 5 Switch Rail Package and Ancillary Services

Network Rail has appointed two suppliers to a framework to supply switch rail. The Supplier shall provide rail in lengths up to 36m. All profiles shall be provided in both R260 grade and Premium grades.

Options: Modification Options 1. Green Steel 2. Closed Circular Economy

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Lot 6 Bullhead Rail Package and Ancillary Services

Network Rail has appointed 2 Suppliers to a framework. The Supplier shall provide Bullhead Rail 95 RBH in lengths of 18.288m.

Options: Option 1: Green Steel Option 2: Closed Circular Economy

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Lot 2b Long, Short Rail and Ancillary Services

Network Rail has appointed 3 Suppliers to a framework. The Supplier shall provide rail in 108m or 216m rail lengths in 56E1 and 60E2 profiles and in both R260 grade and Premium grades. The Supplier shall provide the above with corrosion resistant coating as requested by Network Rail. Additional information: Network Rail reserves the ability to increase the value/volume advertised of this lot but only in the case of insolvency of the supplier awarded Lot 1.

Options: Option 1: Green Steel Option 2: Closed Circular Economy

Renewal: The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of 2 years and then for a final 1 year period up to 30 September 2032.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02ff89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038983-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies

34946110 - Rails

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£648,582,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£648,582,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jul 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
7 Aug 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
28 Jul 2022Expired
Award Date
11 Apr 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
60 months

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled, Planned
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

Arcelormittal Espana SA

British Steel Limited

Saarstahl Rail SAS

Voestalpine Rail Technology GMBH

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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