Planning

Insulated Rail Joints & Rail Ancillaries

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Feb 2026 at 13:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, situated in London, is preparing for the procurement of Insulated Rail Joints and Rail Ancillaries, focusing on the rail industry within the United Kingdom. This procurement process is currently at the planning stage, with a market engagement exercise scheduled to conclude by 17 March 2026. The engagement aims to gather information from suppliers capable of meeting both planned and emergency requirements, highlighting technical specifications and delivery capabilities. Network Rail’s market engagement is particularly targeting industry players in regions such as UKI45, with plans to initiate the procurement process formally on 19 June 2026.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses involved in manufacturing and supplying rail accessories, including insulated rail joints and closure rails. It is particularly suitable for established manufacturers, innovators, and new market entrants who have the technical capacity and readiness to support network rail operations across the UK. Participating in this engagement allows suppliers to showcase their capabilities and position themselves for forthcoming opportunities once the procurement moves beyond the engagement stage. The process underlines prospective participation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), emphasizing product acceptance requirements and compliance standards that must be adhered to before formal contracts are awarded.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Insulated Rail Joints & Rail Ancillaries

Notice Description

Network Rail is undertaking market research to assess the current level of industry interest, capability and capacity for the manufacture and supply of Insulated Rail Joints (IRJs) and Rail Ancillaries (Closure Rails). These goods will be required to be manufactured to specified standards, supplied in varying lengths and configurations, and delivered to meet both planned and emergency operational requirements. The Information Document available via Bravo provides full details of the requirement, including: * Background to the requirement and the operational context * Technical specifications for all IRJ and Closure Rail types * Applicable rail profiles, joint configurations and manufacturing processes * Anticipated monthly and annual volumes based on historic demand * Expected lead times, including short-notice and emergency supply requirements * Compliance obligations, including relevant Network Rail standards, drawings and Product Acceptance requirements * Preferred site location considerations to support same-day and nationwide delivery capability The following supporting documents will be made available as part of the engagement: * Network Rail Technical Specification for the Design, Assembly and Testing of Glued Insulated Rail Joints (November 2025) * Standards: - RT/CE/S/023 Insulated Rail Joints - RT/CE/S/050 Process for Cold-Expanding New Fishbolt Holes by the Split Sleeve Method (NR/SP/TRK/050) - NR/L3/TRK/4004 Switch and Crossing Assemblies * RE/PW Drawings: - RE/PW/624 (Twisted Closure Rails) - RE/PW/549 (95RBH) - RE/PW/792 (CEN56E1) - RE/PW/979 (CEN60E2) * NR/L2/TRK/2049 Track Design Handbook Product Acceptance (PA) is required before supply may commence. PA activities may form part of mobilisation, and the contract will not move into delivery until PA is fully approved by Network Rail. Suppliers will be expected to support the PA process by providing the necessary technical documentation, evidence and sample materials as required. Suppliers are invited to review the Information Document and complete the questionnaire within the PQQ. The information gathered will help Network Rail understand current market capability, production capacity, compliance readiness and the ability to meet the supply requirements for IRJs and Closure Rails. This market engagement is issued for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition, nor does participation or non-participation affect eligibility for any future procurement opportunity.

Planning Information

Network Rail is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand current market interest, capability, and capacity for the manufacture and supply of Insulated Rail Joints (IRJs) and Rail Ancillaries (Closure Rails). These goods will be required to be manufactured to specified standards, supplied in varying lengths and configurations, and delivered to meet both planned and emergency operational requirements. This engagement aims to gather information from suppliers who have the technical capability, production capacity, and supply-chain readiness to support Network Rail’s ongoing operational and maintenance requirements. The Information Document provides detailed information regarding: • Background to the requirement • Technical specifications for IRJs and Closure Rails • Applicable rail types, joint types, and manufacturing processes • Anticipated monthly and annual volumes • Lead time expectations, including emergency call‑off requirements • Compliance obligations, standards, drawings and Product Acceptance processes • Preferred site location considerations to support nationwide delivery The following supporting documents will be made available as part of the engagement: • Network Rail Technical Specification for the Design, Assembly and Testing of Glued Insulated Rail Joints (November 2025) • Standards: – RT/CE/S/023 Insulated Rail Joints – RT/CE/S/050 Process for Cold‑Expanding New Fishbolt Holes by the Split Sleeve Method (NR/SP/TRK/050) – NR/L3/TRK/4004 Switch and Crossing Assemblies • RE/PW Drawings: – RE/PW/624 (Twisted Closure Rails) – RE/PW/549 (95RBH) – RE/PW/792 (CEN56E1) – RE/PW/979 (CEN60E2) • NR/L2/TRK/2049 Track Design Handbook Product Acceptance (PA) is required before supply may commence. PA activities may form part of mobilisation, and the contract will not move into delivery until PA is fully approved by Network Rail. Suppliers will be expected to support the PA process by providing the necessary technical documentation, evidence and sample materials as required. Suppliers are invited to review the Information Document and complete the questionnaire available within the PQQ. Responses will be used for information‑gathering purposes only and will help Network Rail assess market maturity, capability and potential capacity ahead of any future procurement activity. This engagement does not constitute a call for competition. During the engagement window, suppliers may submit clarification questions using the correspondence function within Bravo. All clarification responses will be issued through the portal to ensure fairness and transparency. There are currently no scheduled in‑person or virtual engagement events. However, Network Rail may hold additional sessions depending on supplier interest or the need for further technical discussion. Instructions for suppliers: - Access, download and review the Information Document and Questionnaire via the Bravo portal: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk under ‘Current Opportunities’. - Submit clarification questions through the Bravo correspondence function before the clarification deadline. - Complete and return the questionnaire by 17:00 on the engagement deadline date. - Ensure responses provide accurate information relating to capability, capacity, compliance status and delivery feasibility. Network Rail welcomes participation from all interested suppliers, including established manufacturers, innovators and potential new entrants to the market. Responses received will inform future strategy and ensure the supply chain is well positioned for potential forthcoming opportunities. Non‑participation in this market engagement will not preclude any organisation from taking part in future procurement processes. Should a formal procurement exercise be launched, Network Rail will publish a tender notice as a call for competition.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065b0f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016486-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34941000 - Rails and accessories

34941200 - Track rails

34946110 - Rails

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Jun 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 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
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE 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
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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