Award

IT Software to Support the Management of Unplanned Disruption on Scotland's Rail Network

SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED .

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Jan 2026 at 08:45

Award Notice
Award

27 Nov 2024 at 14:45

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

ScotRail Trains Limited has completed a procurement process for an IT software package designed to manage unplanned disruptions on Scotland's rail network. The contract has been awarded to Nexus Alpha Ltd, based in the United Kingdom, under a limited procurement method, allowing a direct award without prior competition due to the unique technical requirements of the software. This system is crucial for the daily operations of ScotRail, providing functionalities such as generating disruption messages, updating route incident information, and communicating changes through third-party railway systems. The solution also includes a mobile application for staff and a real-time customer interface. This contract was signed on 22 December 2025 and is expected to run for five years, contributing significantly to the rail service's operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in industry-specific software development, particularly those experienced in transport logistics and digital communication platforms. With the award to Nexus Alpha Ltd, a small to medium-sized enterprise, this contract demonstrates the potential for specialised companies to secure substantial, high-impact contracts. Businesses with capabilities in developing complex operational software with integrated real-time communication systems and mobile solutions would find similar opportunities in sectors requiring bespoke technological solutions. Furthermore, the five-year duration of the contract offers a stable partnership, paving the way for collaborative innovation and potential future expansions in service offerings.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

IT Software to Support the Management of Unplanned Disruption on Scotland's Rail Network

Notice Description

ScotRail are awarding this contract for IT software and services which support the management of train services during times of unplanned disruption on Scotland's rail network. It is a critical system in supporting daily operations. A summary of the core functionality of the system is as follows: - The ability to generate and update line of route disruption messages and distribute these messages to a pre-defined list of recipients -The ability to view route disruption incidents being experienced by other rail operators on Scotland's rail network -The ability to configure the system to automatically identify all stations and journeys affected by an incident which causes unplanned disruption - The ability to automatically update 3rd party rail industry systems and journey planners to reflect changes to services as a consequence of unplanned disruption - A mobile app for the use of frontline staff which will provide real-time advice of disruption incidents; frontline staff will have the ability to filter notifications specific to their business area - A customer facing real-time view of how ScotRail train services are performing; customers will have the ability to receive alerts when services are disrupted on the line of route which they use

Lot Information

Lot 1

ScotRail is awarding this contract for IT software and services which support the management of train services during times of unplanned disruption on Scotland's rail network. It is a critical system in supporting daily operations. A summary of the core functionality of the system is as follows: - The ability to generate and update line of route disruption messages and distribute these messages to a pre-defined list of recipients -The ability to view route disruption incidents being experienced by other rail operators on Scotland's rail network -The ability to configure the system to automatically identify all stations and journeys affected by an incident which causes unplanned disruption - The ability to automatically update 3rd party rail industry systems and journey planners to reflect changes to services as a consequence of unplanned disruption - A mobile app for the use of frontline staff which will provide real-time advice of disruption incidents; frontline staff will have the ability to filter notifications specific to their business area - A customer facing real-time view of how ScotRail train services are performing; customers will have the ability to receive alerts when services are disrupted on the line of route which they use

Procurement Information

On the basis of The Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016 in accordance with regulation 48.(1)(c)(ii) a utility may award a contract following a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a call for competition where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator due to competition being absent for technical reasons. This disruption management software is a critical system in supporting ScotRail's daily operation. It is an industry specific system with specific technical functionality which is unique to the supplier Nexus Alpha. Specifically, the software allows ScotRail to view line of route disruption for the other Train Operating Companies who operate within Scotland. This is critical for consistency of messaging and updating customers at ScotRail stations; it allows ScotRail to automatically identify stations and journeys impacted by disruption; the system can update 3rd party industry systems and journey planners to reflect changes to services as a consequence of unplanned disruption, keeping our customers and employees informed. ScotRail is not aware of any other system available on the market that can provide this functionality. Therefore, ScotRail are awarding this contract to Nexus Alpha for a period of 5 years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04c07c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000882-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Nov 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED .
Contact Name
Kathleen Gay
Contact Email
kathleen.gay@scotrail.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 6HQ
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NEXUS ALPHA

Further Information

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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