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Charter & Heritage National Onboard ETCS Fitment Framework - Package 1

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

31 Jul 2026 at 14:23

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

12 Sep 2025 at 16:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Sep 2025 at 12:43

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited intends to procure a national framework for fitting European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment to existing locomotives in the Charter and Heritage sector. The work covers the design, supply, installation, testing and return to service of ETCS equipment across a range of locomotive classes, including electric, diesel and steam vehicles. ETCS is an in-cab signalling system that provides continuous, real-time information to drivers, allowing trains to run safely at closer intervals and at optimal speeds as traditional lineside signals are removed. This is a rail signalling and rolling-stock fitment requirement, including locomotive parts, rolling-stock work and signalling installation. The framework is being bought by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited as part of the introduction of digital signalling on the railway.

This procurement is at the planning stage: Network Rail has announced an intention to procure, but this record is not an invitation to tender. The expected approach is a selective competitive flexible procedure for one lot, using a framework agreement with a maximum of one participant. The indicative expression-of-interest deadline is 16 September 2026, with a further notice expected on 14 September 2026 and an indicative award decision by 12 November 2027. The planned contract period is 10 December 2027 to 29 December 2038. The estimated value is £140,123,500 excluding VAT and £168,148,200 including VAT. Network Rail held a supplier engagement event on 2 October 2025 and planned a market-sounding questionnaire, with responses due by 12 December 2025, to inform its procurement strategy.

The framework is likely to suit specialist rail engineering, rolling-stock and signalling businesses able to design and integrate ETCS equipment on existing locomotives, then manage installation, testing and recommissioning. Relevant experience across electric, diesel and steam locomotive classes will be important, particularly for Charter and Heritage vehicles with varied technical requirements. Network Rail says the approach involves significant first-in-class design activity, extensive original-equipment-manufacturer integration and continuity across the delivery lifecycle, so suppliers with strong design, systems-integration and delivery capability are well placed to prepare. The procurement is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, and the earlier engagement invited supply chains of all sizes to contribute. No specific accreditation is identified.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Charter & Heritage National Onboard ETCS Fitment Framework - Package 1

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 sector.

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/072760-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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
£140,123,500 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£140,123,500 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Sep 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Dec 2027 - 29 Dec 2038 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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Postcode Area
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

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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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