Tender

Provision of Service Quality Regime (SQR) System

XC TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Oct 2025 at 13:37

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Provision of Service Quality Regime (SQR) System" is currently in the tender stage, managed by XC Trains Limited. As a private utility operating under the legal framework of the UK Parliament's 2023/54 act, XC Trains seeks to enhance its Service Quality Regime system. This initiative spans several UK regions, including UKC, UKD, UKE, and others, and falls within the software package and information systems industry category. The procurement follows a competitive flexible procedure, and expressions of interest are due by 3rd November 2025. Queries must be submitted by 17th October 2025, with an award period concluding on 20th February 2026.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in cloud-based database solutions, inspection systems, API development, and integrated reporting functionalities. Suitable candidates are those capable of delivering robust IT solutions tailored to transport and rail service delivery enhancement. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with capabilities in these areas are particularly encouraged to participate, with the procurement process accommodating the competitive selection of vendors while promoting innovation and service quality improvements within the rail sector.

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Notice Title

Provision of Service Quality Regime (SQR) System

Notice Description

XC Trains Limited (XC) operates passenger rail services over those routes listed within Appendix 2 of the ITP document. XC is a unique operation in that it runs from the Southwest in England to the North of Scotland and is the most extensive rail franchise in Britain, calling at more than 100 stations. XC serves 7 of the 10 largest UK cities with 7 routes radiating from a central hub in Birmingham. The Service Quality Regime (SQR) was set up by the Department for Transport (DfT) to incentivise Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to ensure customer experience standards across the railway network are maintained and improved. The regime is defined in the National Rail Contracts (NRCs) that exist between TOCs and the DfT, including in XC's NRC. The NRC sets out the obligations that TOCs have to deliver to ensure compliance with the SQR, and the repercussions if they are not. XC's SQR has been in place since late 2021 and has seen a few changes since it first started. XC is also proud to have helped the DfT trial changes to SQR during this time to pave the way for other TOCs following in the future. The key elements and strategic objectives of the Project are: - A cloud-based database for all SQR-related data, including an SQ Register, reference data, inspection data and rectification evidence data and provision of inspection forms to be used by third party inspectors; - An inspection forms system that will be used by third-party inspectors and Mystery Shoppers on their mobile devices to undertake and submit inspection data and provision of inspection-related notifications; - A web-based Back-office System for XC users and inspections supplier quality controllers to view and work with inspection data including the recording of rectification evidence, and creation and maintenance of application programming interfaces (APIs); - System functionality to generate email notifications in response to triggers linked to data being created or modified within the database; - APIs to enable the system to integrate with other systems; and - Reporting both on a regular cycle and as required. - The purpose of the Procurement is to select a supplier to provide a Service Quality Regime System.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Details of this will be shared in the main tender document.

Renewal: Details of this will be shared in the main tender document.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a9a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062909-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Feb 2026 - 20 Feb 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
XC TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
sqrsystem.admin@crosscountrytrains.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BUSINESS PARK
Postcode
SR3 3XP
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Doxford
Westminster Constituency
Houghton and Sunderland South

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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