Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement Regarding Market Research Services

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

29 Jan 2026 at 11:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 Jan 2026 at 17:47

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is currently in the planning stage, aiming to engage the market for research services within the UK. The procurement is titled "Preliminary Market Engagement Regarding Market Research Services" and falls under the industry categories of market research and research consultancy services, with CPV codes 79310000 and 73210000. The procurement process will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023. The core objective is to explore potential retendering of existing frameworks facilitating both short-term and long-term projects. Interested suppliers are invited to take part in a market engagement exercise, with submissions due by 17:00 on 26 February 2026. The main location for the project is the United Kingdom, and it focuses on services procurement within a special regime for utilities. The contract period is scheduled to start on 1 January 2027 and end on 31 December 2031, with a potential maximum extension to 2033.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in market research and consultancy services, particularly those experienced in dealing with both B2C and B2B environments. The framework allows for multiple suppliers per lot, which encourages participation from a diverse range of businesses, including SMEs and VCSEs. Companies with capabilities in market intelligence and communications would find this procurement particularly aligned with their expertise. Furthermore, given the framework's flexibility in supporting various project scopes, businesses that can offer adaptive and comprehensive research solutions will be well-suited to compete effectively. Establishing partnerships through this framework could ensure steady work streams and opportunities for growth over the duration of the contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement Regarding Market Research Services

Notice Description

Network Rail procures B2C/B2B/CX research services & commercial/consumer market intelligence to support internal and external communications, marketing & engagement activities. This is currently done via a multi-lot framework with multiple suppliers per lot to facilitate both short- and long- term projects with call off mechanisms varying subject to value. NR is undertaking market engagement via a questionnaire to help understand how to potentially retender these services. Any eventual procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Planning Information

A market engagement questionnaire has been published via Network Rail's e-tendering system on 29/01/2026. This is for all who are interested to express interest, provide feedback on the previous requirements and to test the ideas Network Rail has for any future procurement activity. Details are included on Bravo NR via the opportuntiy listing below which will give access to the event code pqq_3848: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60720 If you are a new supplier to Network Rail, you may need to create a Bravo account via this link: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html The deadline for submissions is 17:00 26/02/2026. Extensions may be granted subject to requests and any provided will be given to all responders equally. Requests should be made via the BravoNR messaging system only (rather than email) as early as possible.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060cc9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007957-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73210000 - Research consultancy services

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 May 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Thomas Hedges
Contact Email
tom.hedges@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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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