Planning

Civils Examinations Framework Agreement (CEFA) - Southern Region

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 16:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is currently in the planning stage for the Civils Examinations Framework Agreement (CEFA) in the Southern Region of the United Kingdom. This task involves procurement for services primarily within civil engineering, including building surveying services, and will address infrastructure such as bridges, earthworks, and buildings critical for railway operations. The engagement includes a Supplier Pre-Market Engagement Event scheduled for 26th November 2025, with a registration deadline of 19th November 2025. The anticipated contract start date is set for 1st April 2028, with an estimated value of £360 million. This procurement falls within the utility sector and employs a framework agreement approach.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses aiming to enter or expand their presence in the railway infrastructure sector. Suppliers with expertise in civil infrastructure inspection and maintenance, particularly those with capabilities in surveying and structural asset management, would be well-positioned to benefit. The opportunity is especially conducive to SMEs and VCSEs given the potential for a framework agreement that advocates innovation, efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Participation in the pre-market engagement is crucial for businesses to align their strategies with the prospective procurement needs and establish connections with the buyer, Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Civils Examinations Framework Agreement (CEFA) - Southern Region

Notice Description

Network Rail Southern Region are seeking market engagement to inform the procurement strategy of a framework agreement which will manage civil examinations on the following assets: * Structures - overline bridges, underline bridges, tunnels, footbridges, side of line, intersections, culverts, retaining walls, ancillary assets; * Earthworks - embankments, soil cuttings, rock cuttings and mixed soil and rock cuttings; and * Buildings - lineside buildings, operational buildings (e.g. stations, depots, signal boxes, ROCS etc.), medium to high voltage sites. Civil examinations within Network Rail refer to the inspection, examination and reporting of structural assets to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of railway infrastructure. These examinations help identify defects, monitor structural integrity, and determine necessary maintenance or repair works to prevent failures and ensure continued safe operation of the rail network. It should be noted within the estimated Contract Start Date (currently set at 01/04/2028) that there is an expected 6-8 months mobilisation prior to contract go live.

Planning Information

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Supplier Pre-Market Engagement Event as we prepare for the renewal of the Network Rail Southern Region Civils Examination Framework Agreement (CEFA). This engagement session is a key opportunity for suppliers to gain insight into the framework's scope, which will cover critical infrastructure within buildings, structures and earthworks. As we shape the next iteration of the framework, we are keen to engage with the market, understand supplier capabilities, and explore innovations that can drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Join us virtually to learn more about the procurement approach and how you can be part of this essential framework supporting the UK's infrastructure. Civils examinations within Network Rail refer to the inspection, examination and reporting of structural assets to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of railway infrastructure. These examinations help identify defects, monitor structural integrity, and determine necessary maintenance or repair works to prevent failures and ensure continued safe operation of the rail network. Registration To register for the event - please complete the Microsoft Form below by 17:00 on 19/11/2025, which also includes some survey questions to help us understand the market better. Please note that submissions after the deadline will not be accepted. The form will request for a point of contact, a link to the virtual meeting will be sent to this email address no later than 2 working days prior to the event. *** https://forms.office.com/e/Rmar8thi4G *** Virtual Meeting The virtual meeting will take place on 26/11/2025 at 13:00 - 15:00. A link will be sent to those who successfully register for the event using the form provided above. To manage the number of attendees, we ask that no more than 2 persons join from your organisation. Any issues in the meantime, please do not hesitate to email: fiona.lee@networkrail.co.uk Please note that this is not a call for competition, it is solely a market engagement exercise and no direct business will be awarded as a result of participating in this exercise. Further responding to this engagement will not in any way advantage or disadvantage any supplier in a future procurement exercise. All information contained within this notice and subsequent enagagement event is indicative at this stage and subject to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d69c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069527-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71315300 - Building surveying services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 May 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2028 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 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
Fiona Lee
Contact Email
fiona.lee@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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