Award

Provision of a Thunderbird Incident Response Locomotive Service

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

23 Jan 2026 at 14:44

Award

07 Nov 2025 at 16:15

Tender

07 Jul 2025 at 08:56

Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited has completed a public procurement process for the provision of a Thunderbird Incident Response Locomotive Service. This service will be based at Newark Northgate Sidings, serving the Eastern Region. The procurement utilised an open, competitive flexible procedure under special utility regulations, covered by the GPA and CPTPP agreements. The contract, executed under the award and contract stages, was signed on 24th December 2025, and will commence from 8th January 2026 running until 8th January 2029, with an option for a three-year extension. Colas Rail Ltd, located in London, has been awarded this service contract valued at £10,704,674.40, involving repair and maintenance services related to railways, classified under CPV code 50220000.

This tender offers businesses in the railway maintenance industry substantial growth opportunities, particularly those equipped to provide large-scale, ongoing service operations. Businesses of a similar scale to Colas Rail Ltd, demonstrating capability in incident response within the rail sector, would find this opportunity aligned with their services. The contract's fixed pricing under a closed framework agreement ensures financial predictability, making it attractive for companies seeking stable growth through sustained partnerships with a central government public authority like Network Rail. Additionally, although the tender required a valid Track Access Agreement, the competitive nature of the procurement allowed various large-scale tenderers to participate, thus fostering an inclusive business environment.

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Notice Title

Provision of a Thunderbird Incident Response Locomotive Service

Notice Description

Provision of a Thunderbird Incident Response Locomotive Service for Network Rail's Eastern Region to be based at Newark Northgate Sidings.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend for a further 3 years

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0559a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006268-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,800,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£10,800,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£8,920,562 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£8,920,562 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
8 Jan 2026 - 8 Jan 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2028-01-10

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Tom Gray
Contact Email
tom.gray3@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COLAS RAIL

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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