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Provision of Aerial Survey of the UK Rail Network - LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Aerial Photography

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

14 Oct 2026 at 09:52

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

13 Oct 2026 at 16:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

13 Oct 2026 at 15:53

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

30 Jan 2026 at 14:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is procuring aerial survey services covering the UK rail network. The work centres on collecting LiDAR (laser-based distance and terrain data) and RGB aerial photography, then processing and delivering the data for use in assessing the condition of earthwork assets. The requirement is for national coverage rather than a named local delivery site. The service combines aerial data capture with technical processing, validation, quality reporting and data delivery. Suppliers in aerial mapping and surveying, airborne LiDAR and photography, geospatial data processing, or rail infrastructure asset assessment may find the scope relevant. The planned capture is intended to support Network Rail’s management of earthworks, so the output must be suitable for informing asset-condition decisions.

Network Rail invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure, using a selective process with a preliminary questionnaire and conditions of participation before shortlisted candidates are invited to tender. The stated expression-of-interest deadline was 9 November 2026 at 14:00; enquiries were due by 2 November 2026 at 14:00. The anticipated contract period runs from 30 September 2027 to 29 September 2030, with a stated maximum extent to 30 April 2029. The estimated value is £12 million excluding VAT (£14.4 million including VAT). There is one lot, and SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable. Technical quality accounts for 60% and commercial pricing for 40%. The award decision was expected by 30 April 2027.

This requirement suits suppliers able to mobilise aircraft and specialist teams for a national rail-network survey, capture LiDAR and aerial RGB imagery, and process the resulting datasets quickly and reliably. Bidders need to demonstrate relevant experience and competence, technical capability, health and safety arrangements, information security and sustainability. Evaluation also covers delivery strategy, mobilisation and service delivery, capture and processing methods for both LiDAR and photography, positional accuracy, validation, quality control, reporting, data delivery, and social value. Participation requires passing mandatory legal, financial and information-security conditions, and meeting requirements covering two case studies, subcontractor management and modern slavery. Suppliers must have the organisational capacity to satisfy Network Rail’s legal and financial conditions, including demonstrating authority to contract and explaining any consortium structure or reliance on other entities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Aerial Survey of the UK Rail Network - LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Aerial Photography

Notice Description

Network Rail require an Aerial Survey of the UK rail network, principally consisting of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and RGB (Red, Green and Blue) data capture. There is a desire to capture this data in the winter 2027/28 season (November 2027 to March 2028) and process it rapidly for the purposes of delivering Earthwork Asset condition information.

Planning Information

Network Rail is inviting all interested parties to express their interest in this ‘Pre-Market Engagement exercise’ - Please email marcus.pendlebury@networkrail.co.uk with the subject heading "NR National Aerial Survey". Once interest has been logged, Network Rail will send a Market Engagement Questionnaire along with a background information document. We request that the questionnaire is completed by Monday 2nd March 2026 at 17:00 hours, so please register your interest as soon as possible. A follow-up market engagement session may be held with all suppliers, or individual clarification questions sought in response to the questionnaire. Please also register as a supplier on our Procurement portal at https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/ if you haven’t done so already.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061326
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096812-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

60440000 - Aerial and related services

71354200 - Aerial mapping services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2027 - 29 Sep 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Postcode Area
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)

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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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