Award

Class 777 CRE Thermal Imaging ISM

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

08 Dec 2025 at 10:21

UK5 - Transparency Notice
AwardUpdate

08 Dec 2025 at 10:17

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

05 Dec 2025 at 19:30

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a central government public authority based in London, has completed a procurement process titled "Class 777 CRE Thermal Imaging ISM." This tender, with a focus on the services category, was processed through a direct award method, citing technical reasons and the unique position of MerseyRail Electrics 2002 Limited as the suitable supplier. The procurement involves the provision of a Conductor Rail Equipment (CRE) monitoring service for MerseyRail's Class 777 fleet, encompassing design, supply, installation, commissioning, and ongoing operation of thermal and visual imaging equipment. The contract, valued at GBP 298,508 net and GBP 358,210 gross, is scheduled to commence on 22nd December 2025 and will end on 14th December 2026. Key dates in the procurement include a due date for the signature scheduled for 15th December 2025. The service aims to improve the safety and reliability of Network Rail's operations by providing early identification of emerging defects.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced monitoring technologies, data services, and railway infrastructure maintenance. Companies with expertise in thermal and visual imaging systems, especially those capable of integrating various technical components into rail systems, stand to benefit from similar opportunities. The unique position of MerseyRail, due to their asset knowledge and existing equipment, highlights the advantage of industry-specific expertise and established relationships. Suppliers looking to expand in the railway industry should consider developing capabilities in predictive maintenance systems and establishing direct collaborations with train operating companies to leverage such niche procurement needs.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Class 777 CRE Thermal Imaging ISM

Notice Description

This procurement is for the provision of a Conductor Rail Equipment (CRE) monitoring service for the MerseyRail Class 777 fleet. The service will cover the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and ongoing operation and maintenance of thermal and visual imaging equipment on two Class 777 units, as well as secure provision of processed data and insights. The CRE monitoring service will provide the following core functionalities: * Thermal Imaging: Identification of hotspots indicating loose connections, high resistance points, and damaged insulators. * Visual Monitoring: Forward-facing video to provide context and enable remote inspection of the rail corridor and equipment. * Automated Alerts: Near real-time detection of potential CRE faults to support proactive and predictive maintenance interventions. This service will enable Network Rail to identify emerging defects earlier, minimise CRE-related failures, reduce service disruptions and manual trackside inspections, and contribute to a safer and more reliable network.

Procurement Information

This award is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 under schedule 5 paragraph 5; competition is absent for technical reasons and NR's C&P Policy. The Rationale is as follows: * the aim of the procurement is the creation or acquisition of a unique work of art or artistic performance. * competition is absent for technical reasons. * the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights, but only in the case of paragraphs. MerseyRail, as the owner and lessor of the Class 777 fleet, is uniquely positioned to provide this CRE monitoring service. The rationale for a direct award is based on the following: * Existing Asset Knowledge and Access: MerseyRail possesses in-depth knowledge of the Class 777 fleet and has established access to the trains for the necessary design and installation of the monitoring equipment. This eliminates the need for a separate procurement process to identify and contract with a third party for train access and modification. * Service Integration: Awarding the entire service to MerseyRail ensures seamless integration of the technology selection, installation, maintenance, and data provision aspects. This streamlined approach minimizes potential interface issues and simplifies contract management. * Efficiency and Time Savings: A direct award to MerseyRail leverages their existing relationship and knowledge, significantly reducing the time and resources required for a full competitive tender process. This allows for a faster implementation of the vital CRE monitoring capability. * Upgrade of Existing Equipment: MerseyRail already has a previous generation of CRE monitoring equipment fitted to these trains, which can be upgraded to provide the latest technology. By awarding this contract directly to MerseyRail, Network Rail can efficiently implement a well-established and effective CRE monitoring solution, leveraging the asset owner's unique position and existing service delivery capabilities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f040
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080465-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72300000 - Data services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£298,508 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
22 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
valentine.onwuchekwa@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MERSEYRAIL ELECTRICS 2002

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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