Award

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Apr 2026 at 11:29

Award

03 Feb 2026 at 16:36

Summary of the contracting process

ScotRail Trains Limited, based in Glasgow, has completed the public procurement process for the "ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support" contract, focused on maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery within the railway services industry. This service contract addresses the need for maintenance, support, and software for approximately 700 platform validators across ScotRail stations, facilitating smartcard operations for passengers. The contract has been procured via a limited procedure, without prior publication, as per the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations. The process culminated with the awarding of the contract to Vix Technology on 26 March 2026, with the provision to extend the existing contract for one year, concluding on 31 March 2027.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in railway service systems, particularly those with the ability to maintain and support complex ticket-validation technologies. Companies with expertise in software development, maintenance services, or possessing exclusive technological capabilities, similar to Vix Technology, could benefit from engaging in such opportunities, especially given the complexities outlined. The absence of competition due to intellectual property and technical reasons emphasizes the importance of niche expertise and exclusive rights in this segment, offering growth potential for businesses that can meet such advanced technical requirements.

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Notice Title

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

Notice Description

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

Lot Information

Lot 1

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

Procurement Information

On the basis of the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulation 86 1(b)(i)(ii) which states that the contract may be modified without a new procurement to provide for additional works, supplies or services by the original contractor, irrespective of their value, that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i)cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement. Vix are the original supplier of the platform validators and therefore there is an absence of competition for intellectual property, exclusive rights and technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives with the capabilities to support and maintain the existing platform validators. Vix own the IP and exclusive rights within the back-office software which is fundamental to the functionality of the validators. Vix are in the best position to carry out maintenance and repair activities on their own product including possessing the qualified skills and processes, as well as having access to replacement parts as required. Attempting to appoint another supplier to carry out these activities is likely to result in additional costs for ScotRail in funding upskilling and development of processes for a new supplier and their personnel and an additional layer of cost in sourcing replacement parts from Vix through another supplier.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0615c9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031896-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Jan 20263 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 6HQ
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VIX TECHNOLOGY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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