Planning

Rail Management Software

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 May 2025 at 09:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited (DRS), a sub-central government public authority located in Carlisle, UK, is in the planning stage to procure an off-the-shelf Rail Management Software solution. This procurement covers locomotives, wagons, maintenance, and traincrew planning to facilitate dynamic asset planning across DRS's value chain. Potential suppliers are invited to participate in a virtual Supplier Engagement Day on 9th June 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM BST via Microsoft Teams, with registration required by 2nd June. The procurement category falls under goods, with the software package being the main focus. The anticipated start and end dates for the contract are 2nd February 2026 and 1st February 2031, respectively, with the procurement method operating under the Procurement Act 2023 principles.

This tender represents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in IT solutions and software packages to engage with the rail industry, especially those that can provide innovative solutions for integrated rail management. The project is particularly suitable for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that offer dynamic, cost-effective IT solutions aimed at optimising transport and maintenance planning. Participating in the engagement day provides a platform to understand DRS’s requirements, market capabilities, and indicative costs, potentially leading to further demonstration opportunities. By addressing DRS's objectives for long and short-term planning and real-time management, businesses can align their offerings to meet these strategic goals, thereby supporting growth and collaboration within the rail sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Rail Management Software

Notice Description

Rail Management Software DRS are seeking to procure an off-the-shelf IT solution, covering : 1. Locomotives; 2. Wagons; 3. Maintenance; and 4. Traincrew planning along our value chain. to enable a dynamic planning process across all assets (drivers, locomotives, wagons), train paths, and maintenance to deliver optimised plans in long-term, short-term-planning and in real-time management.

Planning Information

Supplier Engagement Day Invitation – Rail Management Software Direct Rail Services (DRS) invites interested suppliers to attend a virtual Supplier Engagement Day for an upcoming procurement of an Integrated Rail Management Planning Software solution. Event Details • Date: 9th June 2025 • Time: Start: 2pm BST (British Summer Time) / 13:00 UTC End: 5pm BST / 16:00 UTC Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams – link to be provided upon registration Purpose of the Event The purpose of this engagement is to: • Present the project and DRS’s objectives • Hold a Q&A session • Provide an overview of the anticipated procurement process and use the engagement session to inform the procurement process, conditions of participation and award criteria • Engage with suppliers to generate interest and prime their resources for the upcoming Tender opportunity. • Understand market capabilities to refine the scope • Understand indicative costs It is intended that the sessions will be recorded to assist with disseminating relevant information from the event to suppliers participating in the procurement process and to suppliers unable to attend the Engagement Day. Please note that the responses to this notice will be used for information purposes and will not be deemed as forming part of any proposed bid now, or any future tender. Project Scope Overview We are seeking to procure an off-the-shelf IT solution, covering : 1. Locomotives; 2. Wagons; 3. Maintenance; and 4. Traincrew planning along our value chain. to enable a dynamic planning process across all assets (drivers, locomotives, wagons), train paths, and maintenance to deliver optimised plans in long-term, short-term-planning and in real-time management. How to Register Responding to this Notice is an excellent opportunity to engage, share relevant information and provide feedback. Should you wish to participate, please complete the registration form via the following link by COB Monday 2nd June: https://forms.office.com/e/dniJRFFmiz Thank you for your interest and we look forward to meeting with you virtually on the 9th June. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to Paula Smith (Senior Buyer) by emailing paula.smith@ntsglobal.uk. NEXT STEPS One-to-One Demonstration Sessions If, following the engagement day, you believe your solution is able to meet our vision and requirements, there may be the opportunity for you to demonstrate your solution to us. We will share more information about this on the 9th June. These sessions will: • Be guided by clearly defined expectations — a scope will be provided in advance. • Last up to two hours per supplier • Be conducted virtually Important Notes • Participation in the Supplier Engagement Day does not guarantee inclusion in the formal procurement process. Likewise, non-participation in the Supplier Engagement Day does not preclude suppliers from participating in the procurement process. • DRS is, on a voluntary basis, operating under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) for this procurement and is therefore advertising this opportunity on the Central Digital Platform. By doing so, it does not become a public authority and DRS reserve the right to deviate from the PA23 at its discretion but will preserve the principles of fairness and transparency. • DRS reserves the right to revise its procurement approach prior to issuing the formal Tender Notice. • Please note that should demonstrations be conducted at pre-market engagement stage, these will be used for information purposes only and will not be assessed or evaluated.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05278d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027970-2025
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£210,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Feb 2026 - 1 Feb 2031 Over 5 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
DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Paula Smith
Contact Email
paula.smith@ntsglobal.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA6 4SJ
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Dalston and Burgh
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

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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