Award

45,000,000

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LTD

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

28 Jan 2026 at 10:56

Tender

19 Jul 2024 at 10:27

Planning

05 Feb 2024 at 15:46

Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, a national agency based in London, is undertaking a re-tendering process for the provision of Track Bed Investigations, aiming to commence a new framework agreement designed for track renewals across the UK. This procurement process, currently in the tender stage, seeks services related to railway-track inspection, including standard and deep track bed investigations, concrete coring, and drainage surveys. Submissions for this competitive procedure must be received by 26th July 2024 at 12:00 PM, following which a pre-qualification phase will narrow down suitable candidates. Key timeline dates include the Invitation to Tender on 28th November 2024 and contract commencement set for 17th July 2025. The competitive tender, with an estimated value of £45,000,000, involves two lots: England & Wales, which comprises the majority of the demand, and a separate lot for Scotland.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in railway inspection services, engineering, and construction. With a framework duration extendable up to seven years, companies can secure long-term business relationships with Network Rail. The tender process is selective and competitive, encouraging businesses with robust engineering capabilities, particularly those proficient in track bed stabilisation and drainage evaluation, to apply. Firms that are adept at offering innovative survey design and railway maintenance services are well-positioned to gain from this framework. Additionally, the ability to handle dynamic and comprehensive field services, coupled with cost-competitive proposals, will be advantageous for bidders aiming to lock in either or both geographical contracts.

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Notice Title

45,000,000

Notice Description

Network Rail has awarded national Framework Agreements for the provision of Track Bed Investigations for England & Wales, and for Scotland. The framework scope includes standard and deep track bed investigations, concrete coring and various drainage surveys, which are used for the design and specification of the trackbed for track renewals. The framework is specific to the Engineering Services Design Delivery function in Network Rail. The workbank comes from client teams in the Network Rail regions who will call-off from the framework when track bed investigations are required. Due to the work-related nature of these activities, the framework terms & conditions are based on the NR29 Framework Contract for Network Rail Amended NEC4 Engineering and Construction Short Contract. The framework will run for an initial period of five years, and Network Rail will have the option to extend for two further one-year periods, providing the flexibility for a five, six or seven year framework duration.

Lot Information

Track Bed Investigation Framework - England & Wales

The specification for the Track Bed Investigation Framework covers the following track bed investigation and associated works, and site & factual reporting which are to be provided for track sites in England & Wales: Standard Track Bed Investigation: * Determining the condition of the existing track bed and sub-grade * Assessing the condition of the existing lineside drainage. * Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) to determine the soil structural properties. * Trial trenches to determine drainage paths and lateral variation of track bed materials. * Categorising of Spent Ballast for disposal * Measuring structural constraints (clearances) to support the construction phase and compliance with COM Regulations 2015 (Design Risk Register) to determine construction risks and mitigations. Deep Track Bed Investigation * Deeper window sampling and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) using heavy probing techniques for investigating Track Bed Stabilisation sites. Additional Works and Other Investigation Techniques * Stiffness Measurement surveys using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), and Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD). * Drainage level surveys/topographical surveys to support the design track of drainage systems. * Concrete coring of slab track or other associated foundations * Material testing * Rail and sleeper deflection monitoring using cameras, Geophones or similar.

Renewal: Network Rail will have the option to extend for two further one-year periods, providing the flexibility for a five, six or seven year framework duration in total.

Track Bed Investigation Framework - Scotland's Railway

The specification for the Track Bed Investigation Framework covers the following track bed investigation and associated works, and site & factual reporting which are provided in Scotland: Standard Track Bed Investigation: * Determining the condition of the existing track bed and sub-grade * Assessing the condition of the existing lineside drainage. * Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) to determine the soil structural properties. * Trial trenches to determine drainage paths and lateral variation of track bed materials. * Categorising of Spent Ballast for disposal * Measuring structural constraints (clearances) to support the construction phase and compliance with COM Regulations 2015 (Design Risk Register) to determine construction risks and mitigations. Deep Track Bed Investigation * Deeper window sampling and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) using heavy probing techniques for investigating Track Bed Stabilisation sites. Additional Works and Other Investigation Techniques * Stiffness Measurement surveys using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), and Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD). * Drainage level surveys/topographical surveys to support the design track of drainage systems. * Concrete coring of slab track or other associated foundations * Material testing * Rail and sleeper deflection monitoring using cameras, Geophones or similar.

Renewal: Network Rail will have the option to extend for two further one-year periods, providing the flexibility for a five, six or seven year framework duration in total.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04373d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007483-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71631470 - Railway-track inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Jul 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
16 Apr 2024Expired
Award Date
21 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LTD
Contact Name
Philip Hunt
Contact Email
josh.mcbride@networkrail.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1908781000

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Post Town
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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