Planning

Provision of Services for Drugs & Alcohol Testing and Medication Advice Line

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 11:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 Oct 2025 at 15:52

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED is in the planning stage of a public procurement process for the "Provision of Services for Drugs & Alcohol Testing and Medication Advice Line" under the health services industry category. The procurement process is initiated through a tender, with a focus on engaging the supply market. The location of the procurement is the United Kingdom, and key planning milestones include a market engagement exercise, with a due date set for 7th November 2025. The procurement method is a selective, competitive flexible procedure. This procurement is part of the public authority’s commitment to rail safety and health, with the contract period planned from 31st August 2026 to 19th October 2036. A future notice date is anticipated for 24th December 2025, and expressions of interest are due by 28th January 2026.

This procurement presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the health services and drug detection sectors. Firms with capabilities in random drug and alcohol testing, post-incident testing, and support programmes stand to benefit significantly. Additionally, suppliers offering innovative solutions for drug detection apparatus or medication advice are well-suited to bid. The tender encourages participation from SMEs and VCSEs, providing a level playing field for diverse business types. The contract, valued up to £12 million, offers a substantial financial incentive and the chance to establish a long-term relationship with a major public entity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Services for Drugs & Alcohol Testing and Medication Advice Line

Notice Description

The provision of Drug and Alcohol Testing services: Random Drug & Alcohol testing programme For-cause and post incident/accident D&A testing Drug & Alcohol Support programme active monitoring testing Supply of POCT kits with Medical Review Officer (MRO) service Test the Tester for Network Rail Occupational Health Service employee testers Medication advice line

Planning Information

The purpose of this PME is to: • Engage with the supply market and understand the level of interest in bidding for this potential future opportunity; • Allow suppliers who are interested in any potential future tender activity relating to this requirement, to be aware of the procurement platform that will be used, and provide them with the steps to complete qualification to this platform if requested (should they not have already done so); • Identify suitable suppliers available in the market; • Identify the capacity and capabilities of the suppliers available in the market; • Identify any additional services, requirements or concepts that Network Rail have not considered – this information may then be considered to support Network Rail in developing/updating its specification for the tender opportunity; • Gain feedback on the draft specification, and other aspects of the potential strategy for this opportunity, such as suppliers preferred contract length. Please note that any content received in response to this PME will be used purely for information purposes only and will not be deemed as forming part of any proposed bid or potential future tender. The scope of services for the opportunity will be more fully described in the associated tender documents. In addition, the contract and procurement process will provide for potential transfer of either the procurement process or the resulting contract itself in the event that this is required due to the establishment of GBR, rail reform or other corporate restructuring. The Market Engagement (ME) Document can be downloaded from Network Rail's BravoNR sourcing platform via this link. https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html From the welcome screen, access the 'Current Opportunities' link, scroll down and select: Provision of Services for Drugs & Alcohol Testing and Medication Advice Line

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d47b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069309-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

38544000 - Drug detection apparatus

85100000 - Health services

85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

85147000 - Company health services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Dec 20253 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Aug 2026 - 19 Oct 2036 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
Not specified
Contact Email
helen.catherall@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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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