Award

Provision of Onboard IoT SIM Cards and Data Services

NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 May 2025 at 15:15

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

11 Apr 2025 at 11:43

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited, based in York, UK, as a central government public authority, has completed the award for the contract titled "Provision of Onboard IoT SIM Cards and Data Services." The procurement process involved a direct award to British Telecommunications Public Limited Company for telephone and data transmission services. This decision was influenced by the need for compatibility and reliability in maintaining Northern's onboard communication systems. The contract is valued at £2,457,600 (net) and commenced on 22nd May 2025, concluding on 21st August 2030. The location of influence spans the UK, and the contract falls under the services category, specifically within the utilities regime.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies that provide specialised data and communication solutions within the transport sector, particularly those capable of supporting IoT integration for transportation fleets. Large-scale businesses with a focus on data services that can ensure compatibility and reliability in high-demand environments are particularly well-suited to engage with similar future procurements. Collaboration with an established buyer like Northern Trains ensures consistent demand for innovative communication solutions, fostering long-term business relations and further sectoral expertise development.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Onboard IoT SIM Cards and Data Services

Notice Description

Northern Trains Limited intends to directly award British Telecommunications Limited the contract for the supply of SIM cards and data provision services. This decision is based on our established partnership with British Telecommunications Limited, which already supplies various data sources integral to Northern's operations. Northern Trains Limited operates fleets of trains equipped with sophisticated hardware that relies on onboard routers to facilitate seamless communication while in transit. To ensure the continued functionality and operational efficiency of these systems, as well as Northern's comprehensive data management infrastructure, it is imperative to maintain compatibility with the SIM cards provided by British Telecommunications Limited. Following an evaluation process, alternative Mobile Network Operators were found incapable of meeting Northern's commercial requirements for maintaining the existing routers on our fleet nor meet the technical requirements for interoperability and the essential availability required by our systems. This direct award to British Telecommunications Limited is essential for ensuring uninterrupted service provision and maintaining the high standards of service and reliability that our passengers expect and deserve.

Procurement Information

Northern Trains Limited intends to directly award British Telecommunications Limited the contract for the supply of SIM cards and data provision services. This decision is based on our established partnership with British Telecommunications Limited, which already supplies various data sources integral to Northern's operations. Northern Trains Limited operates fleets of trains equipped with sophisticated hardware that relies on onboard routers to facilitate seamless communication while in transit. To ensure the continued functionality and operational efficiency of these systems, as well as Northern's comprehensive data management infrastructure, it is imperative to maintain compatibility with the SIM cards provided by British Telecommunications Limited. Following an evaluation process, alternative Mobile Network Operators were found incapable of meeting Northern's commercial requirements for maintaining the existing routers on our fleet nor meet the technical requirements for interoperability and the essential availability required by our systems. This direct award to British Telecommunications Limited is essential for ensuring uninterrupted service provision and maintaining the high standards of service and reliability that our passengers expect and deserve.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050161
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020177-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64210000 - Telephone and data transmission services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,457,600 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
21 May 2025 - 21 Aug 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@northernrailway.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Post Town
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-050161-2025-05-09T16:15:33+01:00",
    "date": "2025-05-09T16:15:33+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-050161",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
            "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "03076444"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PZCJ-2164-HJQZ"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "George Stephenson House",
                "locality": "York",
                "postalCode": "YO1 6JT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKE21"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@northernrailway.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-01800000",
            "name": "BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "01800000"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PRYC-1538-TGMN"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Braham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "E1 8EE",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI42"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ccsframeworks@bt.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.bt.com",
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
        "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-050161",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Provision of Onboard IoT SIM Cards and Data Services",
        "description": "Northern Trains Limited intends to directly award British Telecommunications Limited the contract for the supply of SIM cards and data provision services. This decision is based on our established partnership with British Telecommunications Limited, which already supplies various data sources integral to Northern's operations. Northern Trains Limited operates fleets of trains equipped with sophisticated hardware that relies on onboard routers to facilitate seamless communication while in transit. To ensure the continued functionality and operational efficiency of these systems, as well as Northern's comprehensive data management infrastructure, it is imperative to maintain compatibility with the SIM cards provided by British Telecommunications Limited. Following an evaluation process, alternative Mobile Network Operators were found incapable of meeting Northern's commercial requirements for maintaining the existing routers on our fleet nor meet the technical requirements for interoperability and the essential availability required by our systems. This direct award to British Telecommunications Limited is essential for ensuring uninterrupted service provision and maintaining the high standards of service and reliability that our passengers expect and deserve.",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Northern Trains Limited intends to directly award British Telecommunications Limited the contract for the supply of SIM cards and data provision services. This decision is based on our established partnership with British Telecommunications Limited, which already supplies various data sources integral to Northern's operations. Northern Trains Limited operates fleets of trains equipped with sophisticated hardware that relies on onboard routers to facilitate seamless communication while in transit. To ensure the continued functionality and operational efficiency of these systems, as well as Northern's comprehensive data management infrastructure, it is imperative to maintain compatibility with the SIM cards provided by British Telecommunications Limited. Following an evaluation process, alternative Mobile Network Operators were found incapable of meeting Northern's commercial requirements for maintaining the existing routers on our fleet nor meet the technical requirements for interoperability and the essential availability required by our systems. This direct award to British Telecommunications Limited is essential for ensuring uninterrupted service provision and maintaining the high standards of service and reliability that our passengers expect and deserve.",
        "specialRegime": [
            "utilities"
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "pending",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 2949120,
                "amount": 2457600,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-01800000",
                    "name": "BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "64210000",
                            "description": "Telephone and data transmission services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-05-22T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2030-08-21T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "The contract has the option to add more data/SIMS"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "014577-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014577-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-04-11T12:43:03+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "020177-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020177-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-05-09T16:15:33+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2025-05-22T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ],
            "date": "2025-05-09T00:00:00+01:00",
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2025-05-20T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}