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GWR - Train Planning System

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 16:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 Jul 2025 at 13:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 Jul 2025 at 13:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

First Greater Western Limited is procuring and implementing a modern train planning system for Great Western Railway, on its own behalf and potentially for the successor public sector operator of those rail passenger services. The requirement is an industry-specific software solution covering current train-planning functionality, improvements and future development. It must integrate with rostering and control platforms, support operational decision-making and outputs, and maintain service continuity and operational safety during transition. The supplier will also need to support implementation and train railway colleagues to use the new system effectively. The work relates to Great Western Railway’s operating area in the United Kingdom, including locations in the South East and South West of England. The procurement is categorised as goods, specifically industry-specific software.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure involving expressions of interest, a pre-qualification questionnaire, an invitation to tender and supplier demonstrations. There is one lot. Expressions of interest were due by 28 August 2026 at 4:00pm. The contract is scheduled to run from 2 June 2027 to 1 June 2033, with two optional one-year extensions, potentially extending to 1 June 2035. The estimated value is £3,000,000 excluding tax (£3,600,000 including tax), for the lot and procurement. Evaluation is weighted 60% quality and 40% commercial considerations. Electronic submission is allowed in English. The award decision is scheduled by 12 March 2027. Options cover related goods and services.

This opportunity suits software providers with proven train planning or comparable rail-operations technology, and the capability to deliver a complete implementation rather than a standalone product. Suppliers should be able to reproduce and improve existing train-planning functions, develop the solution over time and integrate it reliably with rostering and operational control systems. Strong operational safety, resilience and business-continuity capability will be important because the transition must avoid disrupting day-to-day railway outputs. The requirement also favours suppliers experienced in large organisational change, user engagement and structured training for operational colleagues. Providers able to demonstrate a mature, future-proofed product, effective decision-support tools and an understanding of rail passenger operations are well placed to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

GWR - Train Planning System

Notice Description

This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway (GWR). That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of GWR, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme. If transfer takes place before the contract award the successor operator shall assume all the rights of the Client set out in this document. All references to the Client shall be deemed to refer to the successor operator for the purposes of this procurement and the successor operator shall be entitled to continue or terminate this procurement as if it was involved GWR seeks to procure and implement a modern, future-proofed train planning solution that ensures continuity of service delivery and operational safety. The new system will integrate seamlessly with rostering and control platforms. In terms of the overall project Objectives, they can be summarised as follows: 1. Provide a new system that can replicate and improve on current functionality as well as having the opportunity for further development and efficiencies 2. To provide our colleagues a System that helps support decision making and improves outputs 3. Undertake the transition programme to a new system in a way that does not have an impact on the day-to-day Business outputs whilst it is taking place. 4. Bring our colleagues with us throughout the programme and ensure they are trained in the best possible way to learn the new system. 5. To ensure value for tax-payer funds from this procurement, demonstrating GWR's commitment to being a "good and efficient operator".

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Related goods and services

Renewal: 2 x 1 year extensions

Planning Information

GWR want to hear from suppliers who feel they can realistically provide the Service. The project team are happy to discuss over Teams, face to face or on site. The GWR team will agree the next steps as interest is received. Please register your interest in participating in this stage here ; http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/2p4L0

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05621d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072871-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Jun 2027 - 1 Jun 2033 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
FIRST GREATER WESTERN 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
WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN1 1HL
Postcode Area
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
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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