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Automatic Vehicle Inspection System

TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

11 Aug 2026 at 17:33

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

30 Oct 2025 at 15:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London (TfL) is currently in the planning phase for a tender titled "Automatic Vehicle Inspection System" aimed at developing an automated condition inspection system for rolling stock. This procurement falls under the services category and is part of the utilities regime. It is specifically oriented towards railway and tramway rolling stock and associated parts, as well as IT services. The engagement process involves suppliers submitting an Expression of Interest by 20th August 2026, with completed questionnaires due on 28th August 2026. Virtual supplier engagement sessions will take place on 24th and 25th August 2026 via Microsoft Teams. The project is planned to be implemented at up to two locations within London, with phases including concept development and potential wider rollout, contingent upon approval and funding.

The tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the fields of automated inspection technologies, particularly those specialising in video, thermal, and acoustic monitoring systems. Organisations with expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning analytics for defect detection and maintenance optimisation could greatly benefit from this opportunity. With the focus on enhancing maintenance efficiency and increasing asset availability for London Underground, companies able to offer innovative, scalable solutions will be well-suited to compete. SMEs and enterprises with prior experience in the rail industry or working with public sector utilities may find this tender particularly advantageous for business growth and strategic partnerships.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Automatic Vehicle Inspection System

Notice Description

Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to engage with the market to understand available solutions for an automated vehicle inspection system to undertake condition inspection of rolling stock as part of routine maintenance activities. TfL is seeking solutions capable of providing automated inspection of train bodyside, roof and underframe equipment as trains arrive at maintenance facilities. Solutions should be capable of identifying individual vehicles by painted number and capturing condition data of the vehicle during train movements. Solutions should be capable of detecting, classifying and reporting defects and asset condition issues, including, but not limited to, overheating components (such as brake resistors, bearings, traction equipment, HVAC equipment, brake blocks, wheelsets, traction motors and gearboxes), graffiti, broken windows, missing, damaged or misaligned components, damaged collector shoes, underframe damage, out-of-gauge equipment, wheel profile defects, wheel flats and brake wear using video & thermal imaging and acoustic monitoring technologies. The inspection capability should cover both sides of the vehicle, the roof and underframe, and be applicable to both multiple-unit and single-unit train formations. Solutions should provide secure capture, storage and management of inspection data, including images and sensor outputs, and utilise automated analytics, including Machine Learning (ML) and/or Artificial Intelligence (AI) where appropriate, to identify defects, trends and recurring issues and provide actionable information to maintenance personnel. TfL is particularly interested in understanding how proposed solutions can reduce manual inspection effort, improve maintenance efficiency, increase asset availability and support condition-based maintenance through frequent, automated fleet inspections. This planned procurement will be for a phased proof of concept and prototype trial and implementation at up to two London Underground Rolling Stock maintenance depots only. Depending on the outcome and demonstrated benefits, TfL may elect to procure further installations at other London Underground maintenance depots. The proposed procurement is envisaged to be delivered in three phases as defined below (subject to change): Phase 1: Concept design and development of the proposed solution. Phase 2: Subject to successful completion of Phase 1, development, installation and evaluation of a Proof of Concept at up to two London Underground Rolling Stock maintenance depots . Phase 3: Subject to business approval, potential fleet-wide rollout of the solution across the TfL's network. Phase 3 represents a potential future requirement only. Any future requirements under Phase 3 (in whole or in part) shall proceed at TfL's sole discretion and this EME or participation on in any future tender shall not constitute a commitment or guarantee of volume. As part of this EME, interested parties should note that TfL reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to develop any individual phase, any combination of phases, or none of the phases. Progression between phases is not guaranteed and remains subject to the TfL's continued business requirements, funding availability and internal approvals. The future procurement shall include defined break points at the end of each phase. TfL may, at its sole discretion, elect not to proceed to any subsequent phase without liability, other than for deliverables satisfactorily completed and accepted in accordance with the future Contract. No commitment is made to proceed beyond any phase, irrespective of the success of any preceding phase.

Planning Information

Interested suppliers should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by requesting a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) by email to arjunmattathil@tfl.gov.uk no later than 12:00 PM on 20th August 2026. Completed Market Sounding Questionnaires must be returned no later than 12:00 PM on 28th August 2026. Late responses will not be considered. TfL intends to hold brief supplier engagement sessions with interested suppliers. These sessions will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams on 24th and 25th August 2026 only. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participation or non-participation will have no bearing on the evaluation of any EME submission. Non-responses to this expression of interest will be deemed as not interested. If bidders do not choose to participate in the Early Market Engagement process, this will not affect the ability to participate in the tender if Expressions of Interest to participate in the tender is received by the closing date.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d750
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076454-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 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
TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
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
E20 1JN
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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