Planning

Disability Access Train Ramps

THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 Nov 2025 at 11:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Chiltern Railway Company Limited is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for Disability Access Train Ramps, aimed at improving accessibility across its rail network. The process is in a preliminary market engagement phase and is not a formal procurement exercise at this stage. This initiative is categorised under railway equipment and access ramps within the goods procurement category. Interested parties are invited to respond to a Request for Information (RFI), designed to gather insights for the development of portable ramps that are safe, compliant, and durable for use by wheelchair users and other passengers with mobility impairments. The deadline for submitting responses electronically is set for 12th December 2025, and the procurement process anticipates a contract period starting on 1st May 2026, running through to 30th April 2031. This engagement covers regions including Sunderland and various locations across the UK.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of railway equipment, especially those focused on accessibility solutions such as portable disability access ramps. It is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can deliver bespoke design solutions, handle site surveys, and provide comprehensive maintenance services. Engaging in this process presents a potential for long-term growth due to the projected service life of the ramps and the ongoing need for support and warranty services. Moreover, companies with experience in complying with rail industry standards and those capable of providing training and user documentation will find this opportunity particularly advantageous.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Disability Access Train Ramps

Notice Description

Chiltern Railways is seeking to enter into an agreement for the design supply, installation, inspection, maintenance, repairs, and optional training services relating to portable Disability Access Train Ramps, to improve accessibility across its network. This will support the delivery of safe, compliant, and durable ramps suitable for wheelchair users and other mobility-impaired passengers and ensure consistency across all stations and fleets in scope.

Planning Information

The purpose of the engagement is to request information only, and will not formally begin the procurement nor constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement exercise. Any discussions are solely for the purpose of information gathering and planning purposes. The responses that you provide will help shape Chiltern Railways procurement strategy. Chiltern Railways are running a Request for Information relating to the design, manufacture, supply, delivery and maintenance of disability access train ramps. • Bespoke ramp design for complex platforms • Mounting brackets and locking mechanisms • Site surveys and fitment services • Preventative maintenance and inspection services • Repairs to faults raised by Chiltern • Staff training and supporting documents such as user guides as required. • Warranty and extended support options • Confirmation that all ramp designs are user-friendly and easy to deploy. Ramps are required for class 196 trains ramps Ramps are required for class 165/168 trains. Specification Requirements: Safe Working Load (SWL): Minimum 300kg Material: Aluminium with anti-slip finish Ramp Type: Portable with fixed storage (unless otherwise stated) Durability: Expected service life of up to 10 years with maintenance Ramp Compatibility: All ramps must comply with TSI/PRM-NTSN and be compatible with all train types used on the Chiltern Railway Network and station-specific PTI dimensions Storage: Brackets or storage boxes to be supplied and installed as required Certification: Certificate of conformance to be issued for each ramp Responses are sought electronically via reply to an MS Forms survey: https://forms.office.com/e/cCpLNRSRQ6 The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Deadline for responses: 12th December 2025 Chiltern Railways reserves the right to extend this deadline at its discretion. Chiltern Railways reserves the right to conduct additional pre-market engagement not described in this notice to help meet the objectives of the PME.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e90a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077179-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

34940000 - Railway equipment

34953000 - Access ramps

35800000 - Individual and support equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 Dec 20251 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2031 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
THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
daisy.corner@chilternrailways.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR3 3XP
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLG3 West Midlands, TLI3 Inner London - West, TLI7 Outer London - West and North West, TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Doxford
Westminster Constituency
Houghton and Sunderland South

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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