Award

Comparative Review of Product Approval Processes in European Rail Infrastructure Organisations

OFFICE OF RAIL AND ROAD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Oct 2025 at 10:09

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

04 Aug 2025 at 10:11

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), a central government public authority located in London, recently awarded a contract titled "Comparative Review of Product Approval Processes in European Rail Infrastructure Organisations" under the procurement reference ORR/CT/25-37. This project, categorized under business and management consultancy services, is aimed at evaluating and comparing product approval processes across selected European rail infrastructure managers. Initiated as an open competition below the threshold, the contract was awarded on 9 October 2025, with implementation running from 9 October to 12 December 2025. A key aspect of this award is its focus on informing ORR's review of Network Rail's future product approval processes and regulatory expectations, directly impacting PR28 planning and CP8 assessments.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in consultancy services within the rail infrastructure industry. Companies that excel in governance, safety assurance, and innovation responsiveness will find themselves particularly well-suited to leverage this opportunity. Open procurement methods facilitate broad participation and competition among businesses of all sizes, including SMEs like the awarded supplier, FURRER + FREY GB LIMITED. Such contracts can foster significant growth, offering a platform for companies to demonstrate expertise and influence vital regulatory frameworks within the rail sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Comparative Review of Product Approval Processes in European Rail Infrastructure Organisations

Notice Description

The objective of this project is to review and compare how selected European rail infrastructure managers manage the approval of new products, components, and technologies for use on their networks. The project will assess the governance, efficiency, safety assurance, responsiveness to innovation, and overall burden on suppliers, with the aim of identifying best practices and lessons that the ORR can use to inform oversight of Network Rail's product approval regime and regulatory expectations. The outcomes will directly support ORR's preparation for PR28 by informing its ability to assess Network Rail's CP8 plans, scrutinise claimed innovation pathways, and assess how barriers to supplier entry are being addressed.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056c17
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063605-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£55,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£55,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£49,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
8 Oct 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFFICE OF RAIL AND ROAD
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementteam@orr.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4QZ
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FURRER + FREY GB

Further Information

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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