Tender

T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies

RAIL SAFETY STANDARDS BOARD (RSSB)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Aug 2025 at 15:51

Summary of the contracting process

The Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB), based in London, has initiated a tender process titled "T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies". This procurement is classified under research services, and it falls under the public undertaking category. The tender, valued at £100,000, is at the tender stage with an open procurement method allowing below-threshold competition. Key dates for this process include an enquiry period ending on 5th September 2025 and a submission deadline for tenders on 19th September 2025. The contract is expected to commence on 6th October 2025 and end on 6th April 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in autonomous or semi-autonomous ground-based inspection technologies. Companies with expertise in modern inspection systems and experience in navigating regulatory systems will find this tender particularly relevant. The open competition makes it a viable opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs aiming to expand their influence in the research services sector, particularly in innovations that push the boundaries of traditional rail inspection methods. The focus on unlocking regulatory barriers could lead to advancements in the industry's operational efficiency and capability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies

Notice Description

While systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement have demonstrated operational readiness, their use remains constrained by existing rules and definitions that do not reflect their modern capabilities. While aerial inspection platforms such as drones are increasingly used across the rail industry, this research focuses solely on "systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement" for inspection operations, defined here as ground-based technologies operating on or near the track. This research aims to unlock their potential by identifying regulatory blockers and enablers. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./66S353C8J2 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/66S353C8J2

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058493
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047428-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Aug 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Oct 2025 - 6 Apr 2026 6-12 months
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
RAIL SAFETY STANDARDS BOARD (RSSB)
Contact Name
Procurement Team
Contact Email
procurement@rssb.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 2031425651

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC3M 5AD
Post Town
Central London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Aldgate
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058493-2025-08-08T16:51:21+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-08T16:51:21+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058493",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVGN-9767-BLPT",
            "name": "Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVGN-9767-BLPT"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "25 Fenchurch Avenue,",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "EC3M 5AD",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Procurement Team",
                "email": "Procurement@RSSB.co.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 2031425651"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicUndertaking",
                        "description": "Public undertaking"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVGN-9767-BLPT",
        "name": "Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058493",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies",
        "description": "While systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement have demonstrated operational readiness, their use remains constrained by existing rules and definitions that do not reflect their modern capabilities. While aerial inspection platforms such as drones are increasingly used across the rail industry, this research focuses solely on \"systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement\" for inspection operations, defined here as ground-based technologies operating on or near the track. This research aims to unlock their potential by identifying regulatory blockers and enablers. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./66S353C8J2 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/66S353C8J2",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73110000",
                        "description": "Research services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 120000,
            "amount": 100000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.delta-esourcing.com/",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-09-19T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-09-05T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 120000,
                    "amount": 100000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "W2 Tenderer's understanding and methodology [Max 4 pages]",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 35,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "W3 Tenderer's experience and individual expertise [Max 2 pages, excluding CVs]",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 25,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "W4 Project management: Planning and engagement",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "W5 Project management: Risks and opportunities",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-10-06T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2026-04-06T23:59:59+01:00"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "047428-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047428-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-08T16:51:21+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}