Planning

Train Planning Systems Replacement

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 Jan 2026 at 12:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Jan 2026 at 10:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Western Railway Limited is planning a procurement process for the replacement of its Train Planning Systems. This process falls under the services category and involves the preliminary market engagement stage aimed at gathering information from potential suppliers. The procurement focuses on industry-specific software packages, custom software development services, and software-related services that can manage train schedules, rolling stock, and traincrew diagrams. The planning stage commenced with the publication of a Request for Information (RFI) on 19 January 2026, and submissions are open until 19 February 2026. This remote engagement will help assess suppliers capable of delivering sophisticated solutions that integrate with existing rail networks and business platforms in the United Kingdom.

The procurement presents growth opportunities for businesses specialised in software development and integration, particularly those capable of designing user-friendly planning interfaces and comprehensive visualisation tools. It suits SMEs interested in offering solutions that support secure data exchange, auditability, and automated validations in accordance with operational standards. Companies providing modular and scalable packages with robust reporting capabilities could find this tender especially beneficial, as South Western Railway seeks solutions that can effectively integrate with Network Rail systems and enhance operational efficiency over long-term strategic horizons. Suppliers have a unique opportunity to propose commercial models that align with the rail operator's objectives and standards.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Train Planning Systems Replacement

Notice Description

South Western Railway (SWR) will be seeking information from the market regarding Train Planning Systems capable of supporting the creation, editing, integration, and validation of train schedules, rolling stock diagrams, and traincrew diagrams. The requirement covers systems that provide intuitive planning interfaces, comprehensive visualisation tools, and the ability to manage date-bound timetable datasets across long-term, short-term, and very short-term planning horizons. The scope includes solutions that can integrate securely and efficiently with Network Rail systems and SWR's operational, rostering, optimisation, and business platforms, using industry-standard data formats and APIs. Suppliers are also invited to provide information on systems that support automated validation of rolling stock and traincrew diagrams, including checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot-specific standards. SWR is additionally seeking insight into system capabilities for secure data exchange, auditability, and reporting, as well as indicative commercial models associated with delivering these functionalities.

Planning Information

South Western Railway (SWR) will undertake preliminary market engagement to gather information from suppliers capable of providing a modern Train Planning System. The scope of this engagement covers system capabilities including schedule creation, rolling stock and traincrew diagramming, user interface design, system integration, secure data exchange, automated validation, and associated commercial models. The engagement will be conducted remotely through the publication of a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI will be published on 19 January on Find a Tender and will remain open for responses until 19 February, providing a one month window for suppliers to review the materials and submit their responses. No in‑person events are currently planned; however, should SWR schedule any virtual briefings or supplier sessions, details will be shared with suppliers who have expressed interest.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06076b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004782-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

72230000 - Custom software development services

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 3 Jan 2030 3-4 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
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementandcontracts@swrailway.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 9LQ
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)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

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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