Notice Information
Notice Title
Class 68 Lead Train Services Agreement Provider
Notice Description
The Chiltern Railways Company is in process of cascading a fleet of 13*Mk5a Coaches and 15*c68 Locomotive units on its London Marylebone to Birmingham route during 2026, with the full complement of rolling stock to be in service by 1st December 2026. The units are leased from Beacon Rail Leasing and are currently being maintained under an interim maintenance agreement between Chiltern Railways and Beacon Rail Leasing until 1st December 2026. Under the existing maintenance structure, the Mk5a Coaches are being maintained by the OEM alongside a TSSSA, the maintenance of the c68 Locomotives is being undertaken by a non-OEM 3rd party who also operate the c68 TSSSA. The maintenance works are being undertaken at the Eastleigh Train Maintenance Depot, with vehicle movements to and from the depot being provided by a 3rd party supplier. As part of the long-term maintenance contract renewal post 1st December 2026, Chiltern Railways is seeking to understand market readiness and the available contracting options, which may inform its long-term procurement strategy and most optimal route to market, which may be informed by this preliminary market engagement process.
Planning Information
Aims of The Engagement Process Ascertain market readiness and available options for Chiltern Railways to deliver its long-term maintenance strategy. Ascertain that any resultant long-term strategy is robust and exceeds Chiltern Railways obligations as a good and efficient operator. Determine the most optimal contracting model which provides resilience and value for money. Identify risks, opportunities & interdependencies. Implement Best practice and industry learning which may be adopted. In responding to this engagement, suppliers should provide their responses to the questions posed, detailing their approach, caveats, risks and opportunities they foresee in delivering the service. Chiltern Railways shall review the responses and where appropriate engage in further supplier interaction, which may take the form of site visits, face to face meetings or supplier events. Conditions of Engagement & Supplier Acknowledgment Suppliers participating in this process agree that this is an information gathering exercise only, and should not be interpreted as a procurement event, there shall be no evaluation or award resulting from this process by The Chiltern Railway Company. The responses obtained from this engagement may inform the most viable contracting models and expedient route to market for any subsequent procurement which may be undertaken. Chiltern Railways may share elements of its findings with the market, suppliers should clearly state any areas of confidentiality in their response/s to the questionnaire stating "not to be shared as part of any debriefing process". Chiltern Railways shall have no liability for any costs arising from this engagement which the supplier may incur as part of this process, Chiltern Railways acknowledges that suppliers may require clarification prior to their submission and whilst the object of this engagement is not to enter into detailed exchange of information, Chiltern Railways will aim to provide clarity where appropriate to participants where it deems appropriate. Commercial Sensitivity The supplier should advise any areas of response which they deem to be confidential, clearly stating these may not be divulged in the event of any debrief process. Chiltern Railways Requirements Chiltern Railways is in process defining its c68 Long Term Maintenance procurement strategy, this engagement aims to understand market readiness from supply chain partners, whom may be interested in entering into a long-term Train Services Agreement by offering an all-encompassing Train Services Agreement for the class 68 Locomotives, to include A full Train Services Agreement with a lead supplier for detailed c68 maintenance and support requirements. Implementing system support and materials contracts for all c68 systems including but not limited to the engine, traction and c68 manufacturer. The option for Chiltern Railways to undertake routine maintenance tasks based on technical input from the TSA provider as required. NB, Chiltern Railways shall make suitable depot facilities available. It the expected that the contract duration shall be for a period of 10 years, with a contract commencement date of the 31st October 2026 and planned mobilisation by the 1st December 2026. Participation If you wish to participate in this engagement process, your formal acceptance is required by 16.00hrs Wednesday 18th February 2026, by registering at the Chiltern Procurement Dojo Platform and via the acceptance and return of our NDA without modification. Access to the Market Dojo is located at the link below where suppliers can access the event https://marketdojo.com/market-dojo-sign-up/ Event code 66040CC6A6 Engagement Responses Deadline 16.00hrs Friday 13th March 2026 General Information Suppliers must register on the Market Dojo platform and it's their responsibility to ensure their participants are kept informed of the status of this activity. Chiltern Railways may use multiple procurement procedures in accordance with PA2023. Chiltern Railways welcome responses from suppliers across sectors who can demonstrate capability in the areas above. Suppliers are not obliged to take part in this activity and may still participate in any forthcoming ITT in accordance with the rules of participation under PA2023.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-064e1d
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012505-2026
- 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
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
50 - Repair and maintenance services
60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
-
- CPV Codes
34610000 - Rail locomotives and tenders
34620000 - Rolling stock
34630000 - Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; railways traffic-control equipment
34940000 - Railway equipment
50200000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft, railways, roads and marine equipment
60210000 - Public transport services by railways
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 11 Feb 20261 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 13 Mar 20263 weeks to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 31 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2036 Over 5 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
- THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- ravi.taheem@chilternrailways.co.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- SUNDERLAND
- Postcode
- SR3 3XP
- Post Town
- Sunderland
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLC North East (England)
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLC44 Sunderland
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Sunderland
- Electoral Ward
- Doxford
- Westminster Constituency
- Houghton and Sunderland South
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012505-2026
11th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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