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Infrastructure Monitoring Core Service

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

29 Aug 2025 at 13:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

21 Aug 2025 at 16:20

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

09 May 2025 at 10:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for an end-to-end Infrastructure Monitoring Core Service is being led by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a central government public authority based in London. This initiative is intended to replace the existing Infrastructure Monitoring fleet to ensure the safe operation of the Great Britain rail network. The procurement pertains to railway services, embracing both train and non-train borne methods, with the tender stage currently active. Suppliers are invited to submit their expressions of interest by 9th October 2025, with the contract slated to begin in April 2027. Key interactions, including a briefing on 9th September in Milton Keynes, will safeguard potential suppliers' understanding of expectations and compliance criteria under the Competitive Flexible Procedure as governed by the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in infrastructure monitoring solutions, railway technology enhancements, and innovative data collection methods. Companies with expertise in rolling stock maintenance, railway-track inspection, IT services, or UAV technology are well-positioned to compete. The process encourages technical dialogue and negotiation, enabling the integration of cutting-edge developments while driving social value and sustainability. It presents an expansive service scope, allowing adaptability to technological advancements and changing operational demands. Hence, firms able to demonstrate financial health and technical innovation, especially those committed to net-zero goals, have favourable prospects in this large-scale procurement valued at approximately £1.5 billion.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Infrastructure Monitoring Core Service

Notice Description

Network Rail ("the Authority") is procuring an end to end Infrastructure Monitoring (IM) solution to replace its life expired dedicated IM fleet and assure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Great Britain rail network. The supplier will provide, operate and maintain the assets, systems and services necessary to capture, process, assure and deliver all required IM data streams to Network Rail's Enterprise Data Platform, in accordance with relevant Measurement Standards and IM Data Specifications, so that the Authority receives the right data, in full and on time, for use by end customers across Regions and Routes. The solution may combine dedicated IM rolling stock, in service monitoring (on timetabled passenger or freight services) and, where appropriate on a cost-benefit basis, non train borne methods (e.g., Road-Rail Vehicle (RRV)), provided all applicable law, policy and standards are met. The supplier will act as Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM), manage obsolescence, ensure approvals for operation on the British network, and deliver services against a jointly maintained Joint Operating Plan. Network Rail will not purchase or own the solution assets. Core scope of services and outputs * Data capture & delivery: Provision of 18 IM data streams to the Authority's defined structures/formats (open, non proprietary) and timelines, including urgent reporting for safety critical findings. Data assurance (including ISO 8000 aligned data quality regime), secure handling/retention, and transmission (default use of Network Rail telecoms where suitable) are in scope. * Operations: Plan, crew and run IM activities in accordance with the Joint Operating Plan (dedicated paths arranged by Network Rail; in service paths orchestrated by the supplier with the relevant TOC/FOC). The solution must minimise non recording mileage and timetable capacity consumption (e.g., by operating closer to line speed) and be resilient to disruption (e.g., recovery runs to protect maximum measurement intervals). * Maintenance & reliability: Provide serviceable, compliant, calibrated assets/systems designed for reliability, maintainability and ease of operation; hold/maintain necessary licenses/approvals (including ORR requirements) and product acceptance; manage spares, calibration, and certification. * Continuous improvement & innovation: Deliver ongoing efficiency/performance improvements and proactively stimulate market innovation against Network Rail's future ambitions, using open architectures that mitigate vendor/technology lock in and enable integration of best of breed systems via change control where approved. * Performance management: Meet a KPI regime covering service reliability, on time delivery, completion rate, data compliance, data quality, user satisfaction, continuous improvement, innovation, social value, safety, and environment/sustainability. * Mobilisation & transition: Mobilise new solution per tendered plan; as capabilities enter service, Network Rail will decommission the current IM fleet. Supplier support may be requested for advice during transition. Minimum data streams in scope * Rail flaw detection. * Rail depth. * Rail surface crack. * Rail profile (wear). * Track bed condition (e.g., ballast depth/fouling). * Structure gauging. * Platform gauging. * Track intervals (six foot gauging). * Ballast profile. * Track geometry. * Track imagery (shoulder to shoulder). * Automated track inspection. * Static OLE geometry. * OLE contact wire wear. * Conductor rail geometry. * Conductor rail wear. * Forward facing imagery. * Communications networks signal strength (e.g., GSM R, public mobile). Standards, compliance and constraints Data streams must meet the relevant Measurement Standards and Data Specifications (e.g., NR/L2/TRK series, NR/L2/ELP/27325, NR/L2/TRK/3204, NR/L2/TRK/038, etc.), with delivery frequencies adhering to nominal and maximum intervals defined per track section in the Baseline Coverage Requirements. The solution must comply with applicable law and Railway Group Standards, data protection/security requirements, and environmental/sustainability obligations; emissions reduction (e.g., electric where feasible, electro diesel where necessary) is expected. Out of scope Analysis of data beyond the IM Data Specifications, and the operation, maintenance and disposal of the existing IM fleet.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contract will have an initial term of eight (8) years, with two optional extensions of four (4) years each, allowing for a maximum total duration of sixteen (16) years, plus an additional two (2) years of termination assistance if required. The estimated total contract value, including all options, is approximately PS1.5 billion. Optional elements within the contract include: Extension Options: * First extension: up to 4 years * Second extension: up to 4 years Extensions will be exercised at Network Rail's discretion, subject to performance, funding availability, and strategic review of technology developments. Termination Assistance: * Up to 2 years of continued service and transition support at the end of the contract term to ensure continuity and safe handover. Service Scope Options: * Additional data streams beyond the initial 18 specified in the core requirement, to accommodate evolving business needs and technological advancements. * Increased or decreased network coverage or service frequency, triggered by changes in standards or operational requirements. Optional processing stages for IM data: * Stage 1-2: Raw data capture and post-capture interpretation (including near real-time reporting of severe defects). * Stage 3: Feature identification and fault detection. * Stage 4-5: Advanced interpretation and analytics for selected data streams. These options allow Network Rail to scale the level of data processing and analytics during the contract term. Innovation and Technology Roadmap: * Incorporation of new technologies or methods identified through the supplier's Technology Roadmap, subject to Network Rail approval and contract variation. Change Control Mechanism: * A structured process for introducing new capabilities, adjusting service levels, or implementing innovations, supported by a "true-up" pricing mechanism.

Renewal: The contract will have an initial term of eight (8) years, with two optional extensions of four (4) years each, allowing for a maximum total duration of sixteen (16) years, plus an additional two (2) years of termination assistance if required.

Planning Information

A briefing document will be available on Network Rail's Bravo Portal from the date of release of the notice. 1. Follow the link: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html 2. From the welcome screen, access the “View Current Opportunities” link and select “IM Programme Core Services”. No login is required. 3. Click on the attachment “Preliminary Market Engagement Brief May 2025”. A briefing call will be held on 9th May 2025. Please refer to the briefing document for further details. Following this call, we intend to release key documents to provide clarity on the exact scope of this procurement, along with a questionnaire to allow you to provide feedback.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050f71
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052460-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

50 - Repair and maintenance services

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

34611000 - Locomotives

34620000 - Rolling stock

34621000 - Railway maintenance or service vehicles, and railway freight wagons

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

50220000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to railways and other equipment

50225000 - Railway-track maintenance services

71355000 - Surveying services

71631470 - Railway-track inspection services

71700000 - Monitoring and control services

72222300 - Information technology services

72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services

72228000 - Hardware integration consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
£1,500,000,000 £1B-£10B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Aug 202512 months ago
Submission Deadline
25 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
16 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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