Notice Information
Notice Title
Wales and Western Region Research & Development Engagement Event
Notice Description
Network Rail is exploring future research and development (R&D) opportunities in collaboration with the supply chain to address key operational and safety challenges across our infrastructure. This early engagement aims to identify suppliers, technology providers, and innovators who are capable of supporting the development of innovative solutions in a range of priority areas. The scope of this potential procurement includes, but is not limited to, the following areas of interest: Track - Development of solutions for the detection of pre-1979 rail types to identify defects or high-risk sections that may pose performance or safety concerns. Track - Innovative techniques for cutting and grinding back edge lipping to reduce the need for ultrasonic testing and milling interventions. Freight Operations - Systems or technologies to ensure scrap wagons are loaded safely and correctly, minimising the risk of operational incidents during transit. Infrastructure Maintenance - Automated cleaning systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of debris catchment management across the network. Energy Systems - Enhanced secondary cell battery technologies that improve asset reliability, reduce maintenance burdens, and ease manual handling for railway operatives. Safety and Security - New or improved solutions to detect, prevent, and manage trespass incidents on the rail network. Points and Switching - Continuous monitoring technologies that can measure the residual switch opening against the stock rail on RT60 points assets, supporting early fault detection and preventative maintenance. Network Rail seeks to understand the level of market interest and capability in each of these areas to inform potential future procurement strategies and innovation funding routes.
Planning Information
Supplier Engagement – R&D Innovation Programme Network Rail Wales & Western Region is pleased to invite you to participate in an upcoming Supplier Engagement Event as part of our Research and Development (R&D) programme. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration with the supply chain on key innovation challenges that support the delivery of a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable railway. Following regional engagement and operational insights, we have identified several priority areas where we are actively seeking innovative solutions. These challenges are detailed in the accompanying document to this notice and span various parts of our infrastructure and operations, including track, freight, infrastructure maintenance, asset management, and safety systems. To ensure meaningful and focused discussions, we will be hosting a series of thematic in-person engagement sessions during September and October 2025, at locations within the Wales and Western region — such as our Bristol or Cardiff offices. Next Steps – Express Your Interest To help us shape the sessions and allocate places appropriately, please complete the following short form to indicate: The challenge areas your organisation is interested in Your capacity or interest in contributing to the development of innovative solutions Your preferred location (if applicable) https://forms.office.com/e/GHPzHCBDJA Please submit your response by Wednesday 7th August 2025. Important Notes Due to space limitations, we may need to restrict the number of attendees per supplier organisation. Additional details, including session dates, times, and exact locations, will be shared shortly after the response deadline. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact: Lily-May Roberts – lily-may.roberts@networkrail.co.uk Olivia Jones – olivia.jones@networkrail.co.uk We look forward to your participation and to exploring opportunities to collaborate on innovative solutions that will shape the future of our railway.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-0564ac
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042408-2025
- 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
30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
42 - Industrial machinery
43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment
44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)
48 - Software package and information systems
50 - Repair and maintenance services
71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
-
- CPV Codes
30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies
34140000 - Heavy-duty motor vehicles
34144700 - Utility vehicles
34621200 - Railway maintenance or service vehicles
34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies
35120000 - Surveillance and security systems and devices
35121000 - Security equipment
38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
42414100 - Cranes
42600000 - Machine tools
42900000 - Miscellaneous general and special-purpose machinery
42997300 - Industrial robots
43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment
43324000 - Drainage equipment
44316000 - Ironmongery
48151000 - Computer control system
50324100 - System maintenance services
71356100 - Technical control services
79710000 - Security services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £500,000 £500K-£1M
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 23 Jul 20257 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 31 Oct 2025Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
- 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
- Lily-May Roberts
- Contact Email
- lily-may.roberts@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
- TLG3 West Midlands, TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
-
- Local Authority
- Lambeth
- Electoral Ward
- Waterloo & South Bank
- Westminster Constituency
- Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042408-2025
23rd July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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