Planning

Traction Motors (Class 66)

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

23 Jan 2026 at 15:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Jan 2026 at 15:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited, a part of Nuclear Transport Solutions and classified as a public authority at the sub-central government level, is currently in the planning stage of procuring traction motors specifically for Class 66 locomotives. The procurement process, taking place in Carlisle, UK, and advertised under the voluntary regime provided by the Procurement Act 2023, involves a UTEX/Service Exchange Model. Key dates include the market engagement due by 9th February 2026 and the anticipated start of the contract on 1st May 2026, projected to conclude by 31st March 2030. The engagement initiative is to be completed with an opportunity notice date set for 1st April 2026. The procurement's estimated gross value is £360,000 GBP, and it is classified within the goods category, focusing primarily on traction motors (CPV code: 16730000). This procurement is planned to ensure fairness and transparency and is listed on the Central Digital Platform.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), to expand their reach and service offerings within the locomotive traction motor supply sector. The project requires a partner capable of delivering high-quality traction motors that suit the Class 66 requirements, thereby opening business growth avenues for firms with expertise in locomotive components, electric motor technologies, and service exchange programmes. Participating in this tender allows suppliers to engage with a prominent UK government service provider, potentially leading to enhanced market visibility and long-term collaborative projects.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Traction Motors (Class 66)

Notice Description

Traction Motors (Class 66) pre market engagement

Planning Information

Direct Rail Services, part of Nuclear Transport Solutions is considering a UTEX/Service Exchange Model for the supply of Class 66 traction motors. Documents can be found https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome DRS is, on a voluntary basis, operating under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) for this procurement and is therefore advertising this opportunity on the Central Digital Platform. By doing so, it does not become a public authority and DRS reserve the right to deviate from the PA23 at its discretion but will preserve the principles of fairness and transparency.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d98
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006300-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

16 - Agricultural machinery

CPV Codes

16730000 - Traction motors

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 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
DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
stephen.tomassen@ntsglobal.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-060d98-2026-01-23T15:26:14Z",
    "date": "2026-01-23T15:26:14Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-060d98",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNBJ-7645-CMHD",
            "name": "Direct Rail Services Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNBJ-7645-CMHD"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Regents Court, Baron Way",
                "locality": "Carlisle",
                "postalCode": "CA6 4SJ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "stephen.tomassen@ntsglobal.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.directrailservices.com/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PNBJ-7645-CMHD",
        "name": "Direct Rail Services Limited"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Direct Rail Services, part of Nuclear Transport Solutions is considering a UTEX/Service Exchange Model for the supply of Class 66 traction motors. Documents can be found https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome DRS is, on a voluntary basis, operating under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) for this procurement and is therefore advertising this opportunity on the Central Digital Platform. By doing so, it does not become a public authority and DRS reserve the right to deviate from the PA23 at its discretion but will preserve the principles of fairness and transparency.",
                "dueDate": "2026-02-09T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "006294-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006294-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-23T15:17:52Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "006300-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006300-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-23T15:26:14Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C29392",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Traction Motors (Class 66)",
        "description": "Traction Motors (Class 66) pre market engagement",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "16730000",
                        "description": "Traction motors"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 360000,
            "amount": 300000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "006300-2026",
                "description": "Add wording"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}