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Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jan 2026 at 13:25

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

29 Oct 2025 at 10:56

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Oct 2025 at 15:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, operating from London, has completed a public procurement process to directly award a contract to TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing Limited for the replacement and upgrade of Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks. This contract, titled "Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks", falls under the goods category and is specifically aimed at maintaining the non-destructive testing strategy crucial for rail safety across the UK, particularly within the Wales and Western regions. The procurement was executed as a direct award due to TrackSYS's intellectual property and technical expertise, with no viable alternatives available. The contract commenced on 1 April 2026 and will run until 31 March 2028, with possibilities for extension depending on service needs. The process adhered to the utilities special regime under UK legislation 2023/54.

This contract represents a valuable opportunity for businesses involved in advanced testing apparatus and related technological innovations. With a contract value of £1,546,000, SMEs with capabilities in developing and supplying non-destructive testing equipment could find prospects for collaboration, especially considering Network Rail’s intent to leverage technological collaborations. Moreover, the contract’s option for further purchases and possible extensions offers future engagement opportunities for innovative business solutions aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of existing products, making it an attractive prospect for companies specialising in technical rail safety equipment.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks

Notice Description

Network Rail (Wales & Western) intends to award a contract via direct award under the Procurement Act (2023) to TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Limited to replace and upgrade the existing fleet of Ultrasonic Testing Sticks. Network Rail uses Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks, also known as Pedestrian Rail Detection Systems, to detect internal flaws in rail infrastructure. These devices are critical to the broader non-destructive testing (NDT) strategy aimed at maintaining rail safety and reliability. Due to the specific standards required for non-destructive testing, and the current fleet of products entering an End-of-Life phase, Product Acceptance was achieved on the TrackSYS UT Lite Pedestrian Ultrasonic Rail Tester in collaboration with TrackSYS NDT Ltd and Network Rail's Technical Authority. Not proceeding with this procurement could put the Network Rail Wales Route at significant risk of not being able to equip inspection teams with functioning, compliant equipment.

Procurement Information

To meet regulatory standards, Network Rail requires Product Acceptance through out Technical Authority to utilise products of this nature. This is a lengthy, collaborative process, the result of which being that TRACKSYS had the most effective product. Schedule 5, Paragraph 5: "The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract - (a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services, or works required; and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services, works." Schedule 5, Paragraph 6: "The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract - (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required; and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works."

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ce18
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005290-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,547,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,547,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Oct 202510 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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