Planning

#41208 - Preliminary market engagement exercise for de-icer product for third rail applications

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 May 2025 at 10:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a central government public authority, is spearheading a preliminary market engagement exercise for de-icing products tailored for third rail applications, aiming to solve operational challenges during icy conditions. The procurement is aligned with the goods category and is currently in the planning stage, targeting industry participants well-versed in de-icing agents. The engagement milestone is set for 16th June 2025, at which point potential solutions will be evaluated. Located in London, the project encompasses Northern and Southern UK regions with the contract period slated from 1st September 2025 to 31st August 2028. Notably, applications are encouraged from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSES), as indicated in the procurement document available via Network Rail's sourcing platform.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in de-icing solutions, particularly those with innovative products that can enhance the efficiency of third-rail systems under winter conditions. Firms operating within the chemical manufacturing or railway maintenance sectors would find this tender particularly compelling. Participating in this process not only offers the potential for substantial business growth, backed by a budget of GBP 300,000, but also provides a platform to establish long-term partnerships with Network Rail, a key player in the UK's rail infrastructure sector. This engagement fosters collaboration aimed at introducing reliable, high-performance de-icer solutions crucial for mitigating winter disruptions in railway operations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

#41208 - Preliminary market engagement exercise for de-icer product for third rail applications

Notice Description

The purpose of this preliminary market engagement exercise is to identify de-icing products that might assist Network Rail in overcoming operational difficulties associated with the operation of third-rail traction systems during icy conditions. Electric railway vehicles that obtain their power through a DC third rail system rely on the quality of the electrical connection between the conductor rail and the train's pick-up shoe. In winter conditions, ice can form on the conductor rail degrading the quality of the electrical connection to such an extent that the trains are unable to function properly. Network Rail operates a winter treatment program on Southern, and North West and Central, Regions where anti-ice products are deployed on the conductor rail to help prevent ice build-up, thereby maintaining the required electrical connection. At present, Network Rail does not have a suitable de-icing product that can be deployed in the event of ice forming on the conductor rail and it is undertaking this preliminary market engagement exercise to identify products that might serve that purpose. The Procurement Documents can be downloaded from Network Rail's BravoNR sourcing platform via this link. https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html From the welcome screen, access the 'Current Opportunities' link and select #41208 - Preliminary market engagement exercise for de-icer product for third rail applications

Planning Information

The purpose of this Procurement Event is to identify de-icing products that might assist Network Rail in overcoming operational difficulties associated with the operation of third-rail traction systems during icy conditions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0510a0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020377-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

CPV Codes

24951310 - De-icing agents

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Simon Godfrey
Contact Email
simon.godfrey@networkrail.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
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

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. 

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