Notice Information
Notice Title
Certificate Lifecycle Management Programme Core Services
Notice Description
Network Rail is seeking to engage the market regarding the future procurement of a Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) solution. This project is driven by significant industry changes, including the CA/Browser Forum's decision to reduce the maximum lifespan of public SSL/TLS certificates over the coming years. By 2029, certificates will require renewal as frequently as every 47 days, and domain validation reuse will be limited to just 10 days. These changes are intended to enhance security but will introduce substantial operational overhead, making manual certificate management impractical and automation essential. Network Rail operates across a complex landscape of on-premises, cloud, and supplier-managed environments. A key challenge is the fragmented ownership and lack of central visibility over certificates, particularly those issued and managed by third-party suppliers. This fragmentation increases the risk of outages due to expired or misconfigured certificates and limits Network Rail's ability to monitor, renew, or enforce compliance directly. The CLM project aims to address these challenges by implementing a solution that enables the centralised, automated management of certificates throughout their lifecycle, regardless of where they are issued or managed. The solution must provide comprehensive visibility across all environments, support robust automation for renewal and validation, and enable clear supplier accountability through contractual mechanisms. This includes the ability to track certificates managed by third parties, enforce renewal responsibilities, and ensure that incidents caused by supplier failures can be managed contractually. Network Rail is inviting suppliers to demonstrate how their solutions can meet these requirements, including the ability to: Centrally track and manage certificates across all environments and suppliers. Automate certificate renewal, validation, and compliance processes. Provide visibility and control over third-party issued certificates. Support supplier accountability and contractual enforcement. Align with upcoming industry standards and security requirements. Deliver proven solutions at scale, with references from similar large infrastructure organisations. We welcome responses from suppliers offering innovative, scalable, and future-proof approaches, including those with experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Suppliers are encouraged to share relevant case studies, lessons learned, and any alternative models that could help Network Rail achieve its objectives. This market engagement will inform Network Rail's approach to the procurement of a CLM solution that ensures security, operational resilience, and compliance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Planning Information
Network Rail is inviting suppliers to participate in this preliminary market engagement for the Certificate Lifecycle Management System. The engagement process is as follows: Accessing the Documents: Suppliers should access the draft requirements and supporting documents via the Network Rail Bravo platform. Visit https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html, select "View Current Opportunities," and choose "Certificate Lifecycle Management Programme Core Services." The documents will be available in the attachments section; no login is required. Reviewing Requirements: Suppliers are requested to carefully review the draft requirements document and all supporting materials provided. Supplier Response - Structured Presentation: After reviewing the requirements, suppliers must prepare a structured PowerPoint presentation that addresses all elements outlined under the "Supplier Presentation Requirements for PME" section of the briefing pack. Presentations should comprehensively cover each specified area, demonstrating how your solution meets Network Rail's needs and responding to all requested points. Submission Instructions: Completed presentations must be submitted by email to Humza Tayyab at humza.tayyab@networkrail.co.uk no later than 17:00 on 12th November 2025. Please ensure your submission clearly references your organisation name and the CLM Programme. Submissions received after the deadline may not be considered. Clarifications: Any questions or requests for clarification regarding this notice should be directed to humza.tayyab@networkrail.co.uk. Review and Further Engagement: Upon receiving your completed presentation, Network Rail will review all responses and may contact suppliers for further information or discussion if necessary.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-059daa
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070933-2025
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Not specified
- Tender Suitability
- SME, VCSE
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
-
- CPV Codes
72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
72212170 - Compliance software development services
72212200 - Networking, Internet and intranet software development services
72212218 - License management software development services
72212732 - Data security software development services
72222300 - Information technology services
72260000 - Software-related services
72261000 - Software support services
72267000 - Software maintenance and repair services
72590000 - Computer-related professional services
72610000 - Computer support services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £800,000 £500K-£1M
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 4 Nov 20253 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 12 Nov 2025Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Nov 2025 - 30 Nov 2028 3-4 years
- 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
- Humza Tayyab
- Contact Email
- humza.tayyab@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
- Not specified
-
- 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/070933-2025
4th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068007-2025
23rd October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068006-2025
23rd October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068005-2025
23rd October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057910-2025
18th September 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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