Award

Provision of FOC driver and PIC services

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

26 Jun 2025 at 14:49

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, initiated by First Greater Western Limited, centres on the provision of Freight Operating Company (FOC) driver and Person in Charge (PIC) services, critical for the management and servicing of its rolling stock. The procurement falls under the railway transport services industry category and involves various locations across the United Kingdom, including regions from UKC to UKK. The current stage is the award phase, with the contract period set to commence on 1st September 2025 and conclude by 31st March 2026, with potential extensions. The procurement method used was a direct award, justified by urgent operational requirements and scope changes, although a full tender process is promised for future compliance. Key dates include 29th August 2025 for signature milestones.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities for companies experienced in rail transport services, particularly those capable of quickly adapting to direct awards and urgent demands. Organisations providing robust FOC driver and PIC services that align with Great Western Railway standards are ideal candidates. Given the planned future re-tender, businesses interested in railway transport services should prepare to engage in a competitive tender process, likely enhancing their chances for future collaborations and contracts, ensuring they meet the expanded scope and compliance requirements. Large-scale suppliers like GB Railfreight Limited are well-positioned to benefit due to their existing capabilities and operational scale.

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Notice Title

Provision of FOC driver and PIC services

Notice Description

An immediate requirement has been identified for the provision of cl80x including Automatic Train Protection (ATP) competent Freight Operating Company (FOC) Drivers who are trained to Great Western Railway (GWR) standards. The FOC Drivers are required over 17 days to provide driving services to GWR for the management and servicing of its rolling stock to/from off network locations as mitigations to planned perturbation. In addition to driving services, there is also a requirement for Person in Charge (PICs) to work with the Drivers and operate off network facilities/locations on behalf of GWR. To ensure GWR can deliver for its customers, the route learning for the FOC Drivers must commence no later than August 2025. A tender will be published shortly for future requirements.

Procurement Information

Due to substantial scope changes in GWR requirements GWR intends to re-tender the entire requirement to ensure compliance with procurement legislation and to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all potential bidders. However, due to time constraints preventing the completion of a full procurement process at this stage, a short-term direct award has been made to meet urgent operational requirements. A full tender process will be launched in due course.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055465
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035497-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60200000 - Railway transport services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@gwr.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN1 1HL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

GB RAILFREIGHT

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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