Award

Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

26 Jan 2026 at 14:13

Award

02 Dec 2025 at 09:54

Award

10 Oct 2025 at 14:49

Award

24 Sep 2025 at 14:34

Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a central government public authority based in London, has awarded a contract through a Direct Award process under the Procurement Act 2023. The contract is for the supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment. The supplier, Thermit Welding (GB) Limited, will provide these goods over a fixed period, with the contract commencing on 9th November 2025 and lasting until 31st October 2029, with a maximum potential extension until 2033. The procurement stage has been completed, and the contract is classified under the goods category, mainly involving welding materials and equipment. The framework agreement associated with this procurement is closed, and Network Rail has opted to use a direct award method without reopening competition, due to the specialised nature of the welding process required by Network Rail's existing operations. The framework allows for a 4-year initial term with an option for an additional 4 years, subject to performance and market conditions.

This procurement provides an opportunity for businesses involved in the manufacturing and supply of industrial welding materials, particularly those specialising in Aluminothermic welding processes. The contract caters to businesses that can handle specialised requirements, and those capable of training personnel on unique welding processes specific to the supplier’s equipment. SMEs like Thermit Welding (GB) Limited, which currently holds the contract, have demonstrated the potential to scale by supporting large-scale infrastructure projects requiring high volumes of specific welding requirements. Companies with expertise in producing materials compliant with stringent industry standards will find this type of contract beneficial for establishing a niche market position and fostering long-term growth in the railway infrastructure sector.

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Notice Title

Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment

Notice Description

Network Rail has awarded a contract via Direct Award under the Procurement Act 2023 to Thermit Welding (GB) Ltd for the Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment.

Procurement Information

With respect to joining rails on site, Aluminothermic Welding is the only welding process Network Rail can utilise given the number of welds installed on an annual basis (Circa 30,000 - 40,000). Other welding processes are either not suitable (enclosed arc welding) or unable to support the number of sites and welds required per year i.e. flash butt welding as only 1 machine is available in the UK to support this process. Network Rail has a number of Aluminothermic Welders in the business which are trained on the Supplier's Aluminothermic Welding Process. In order to continue using this process, Network Rail has to use the Supplier's Aluminothermic Welding Materials and associated equipment as they are specific to their processes and alternatives would be incompatible with the process. Network Rail is unable to move to another Aluminothermic Welding process as this would require retraining of all welding staff which would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. In addition to this, there are no other Suppliers in the market which have an Aluminothermic Welding process approved to the requirements of NR/L2/TRK/0032 and EN14730-1.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a154
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006705-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)


CPV Codes

42662000 - Welding equipment

44315200 - Welding materials

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£10,100,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£10,100,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
9 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
matthew.taylor76@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THERMIT WELDING (GB

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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