Award

Design, Removal, and Re-Livery of Locomotives

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 14:51

Tender

07 Jan 2026 at 10:31

PlanningUpdate

12 Nov 2025 at 14:33

Planning

11 Nov 2025 at 14:21

Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited (DRS), located in Carlisle, is overseeing a project entitled "Design, Removal, and Re-Livery of Locomotives" within the rail industry. The procurement initiative has progressed to the award stage as of 13 March 2026, following the completion of the tender process. The contract is valued at £540,000 gross, with AST Signs Ltd from Penrith named as the supplier. DRS is employing an open procedure for this procurement, which, although voluntarily aligned with the flexible procedures of the Procurement Act 2023, is not bound by it. This contract, commencing on 1 April 2026 and running until 31 March 2030, encompasses services addressing the repair and maintenance of locomotives, and will be executed in the region of UKD12.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in the maintenance and enhancement of railway equipment, particularly those offering high-quality workmanship and efficient resource management. It is particularly suitable for large enterprises with established abilities in varied phases of mobilisation, re-livery, and quality assurance, including health and safety management. The project's multi-year scope promises sustainable expansion avenues for capable suppliers in locomotive services, placing a strong emphasis on quality and cost management, thereby appealing to companies that can deliver comprehensive solutions in these areas. The procurement process promises an equitable competitive environment, fostering long-term partnerships and economic impact within the rail services sector.

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Notice Title

Design, Removal, and Re-Livery of Locomotives

Notice Description

Design, removal and re-livery of Locomotives DRS does not consider itself bound by the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and associated procurement legislation (together the "UK procurement legislation") on the basis that, operating commercially, it is not a public authority, nor does it carry out any utility activities. Accordingly, this Procurement is not, and does not purport to be, subject to UK procurement legislation. For the avoidance of doubt, Tenderers are put on notice that the publication of this document and any other document that relates to this Procurement (including the relevant tender notice) is published voluntarily and nothing in this document, or any other document that DRS publishes in relation to this Procurement, should be construed as purporting to give rise to rights or obligations under UK procurement legislation. That said, DRS intends to operate a fair process which broadly aligns with certain key aspects of the competitive flexible procedure under the PA23 and which aligns with the objectives of section 12(1)-(3) of the PA23.

Planning Information

RFI for livery issued on Atamis

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dec4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023080-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50221000 - Repair and maintenance services of locomotives

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£420,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£420,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
6 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
9 Mar 20266 days ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DIRECT RAIL SERVICES 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA6 4SJ
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Dalston and Burgh
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AST SIGNS

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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