Planning

Locomotive ETCS Fitment Framework

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

12 Sep 2025 at 15:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Sep 2025 at 11:43

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is currently in the planning stage of a significant public procurement process for the "Locomotive ETCS Fitment Framework", aimed at transforming the UK rail industry by implementing in-cab signalling technology to replace traditional lineside signals. This project falls under the industry category of railway signalling works, parts of railway or tramway locomotives, and rolling stock. The procurement approach involves early market engagement activities, including a virtual supplier engagement session scheduled on the 2nd of October 2025. This session will provide detailed information about the proposed approaches and encourage participation across various supply chain segments. The procurement process is intended to design, supply, install, test, and commission ETCS technology across existing locomotive classes by 2028, with the framework set to continue until the end of 2043.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for enterprises involved in the design, manufacturing, and installation of railway signalling and related technologies. The project is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to the nature of the framework's scope and the requirement for diverse supply chain engagement. Companies with expertise in ETCS technology, rolling stock parts, and traffic-control equipment will find this procurement process highly relevant, potentially leading to long-term collaborations with Network Rail and contributing to the advancement of digital rail infrastructure in the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Locomotive ETCS Fitment Framework

Notice Description

Network Rail is introducing digital signalling, which will see traditional lineside signals removed and replaced with European Train Control Systems (ETCS) technology. The implementation will enable continuous, real-time information to the train driver's cab. ETCS is an in-cab signalling system that enables trains to run closer together, safely and to travel at their optimal speeds. To implement ETCS, it requires changes to signalling infrastructure and fitment of in-cab technology on locomotives. NR is intending to procure a framework to enable the design, supply, installation (fitment), test and put back into service of ETCS equipment fitted across a range of existing locomotive classes, including electric, diesel and steam across the Charter & Heritage and Freight sectors. Network Rail has developed a proposed procurement approach which it now wishes to test with the supply chain to ensure it is both successful in procurement and in operation and therefore we seek the supply chains support in testing this proposed approach that we shall details in our Market Engagement launch and questionnaires thereafter.

Planning Information

Network Rail are launching an Early Market Engagement process as part of the development of the procurement approach to the LFF. Responding to the notice is an excellent opportunity to engage with the programme, share relevant information and provide vital feedback to inform the procurement approach. Should your organisation wish to respond to this notice please follow the instructions below. 1. Supplier Engagement Event NR intends to hold a virtual online supplier engagement session for registered parties in relation to the procurement of the Locomotive ETCS Fitment Framework (LFF) on the 2nd of October 2025, via Microsoft Teams. NR sincerely wishes your organisation to attend this event and hear about this very exciting opportunity and the start of changing the UK Rail Industry for the future of ETCS. This event will have a greater level of detailed information provided on our proposed approaches, and we encourage attendance therefore to help shape the requirements and contracting strategy. Our team will be on hand to ask all questions, and all supply chains are encouraged to attend (large or small) to understand how your organisation can become engaged and involved. 2. Market Sounding Questionnaire Following the Supplier Engagement Day, Network Rail will invite all participants to provide feedback on key areas of consideration in the development of the strategy and thinking to date, which will be captured via the Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). The MSQ will be issued to all interested parties by email to their nominated individual that have registered on BRAVO (JAGGER), following the Supplier Engagement Day. Any clarifications or questions in respect of this market engagement should be directed to: LFFPreMarketEngagement@networkrail.co.uk NR shall run a full clarification mailbox throughout this whole market engagement process and where NO Unique Selling Points (USP’s) or Intellectual Property Rights are disclosed then in these cases our responses and the original question may be shared with all potential participants. NR therefore request that should anything be considered a USP and IPR to your organisation that this is marked (CONFIDENTIAL & COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE) on the clarification or email at the very top of the clarification or email, so that NR can consider ensuring protection of the same. Further Information: For further information relating to the scope of this pre-market engagement, including how to register for the Supplier Engagement Event, please review the document titled "PME Locomotive Fitment Briefing Document" via the instructions below. 1. Follow the link https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html 2. From the welcome screen, access the "View Current Opportunities" link and select "Locomotive ETCS Fitment Framework ". (Login is not required). 3. Then follow the instructions in the "Responding to this Market Engagement" section of the attached document "PME Locomotive Fitment Briefing Document”. Contact Details: Contact name: Chid Oriaku - Senior Procurement Manager Email: LFFPreMarketEngagement@networkrail.co.uk Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/east-coast/east-coast-digital-programme/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0596a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056346-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

34620000 - Rolling stock

34630000 - Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; railways traffic-control equipment

34631000 - Parts of locomotives or rolling stock

45234115 - Railway signalling works

45316200 - Installation of signalling equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£270,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jul 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 May 2028 - 30 Dec 2043 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Chid Oriaku
Contact Email
chidozie.oriaku@networkrail.co.uk
Contact Phone
+447711600485

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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. 

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