Planning

West Midlands Metro Tram Fleet Maintenance

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Mar 2026 at 15:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in Birmingham is currently in the planning stage for a potential procurement process titled "West Midlands Metro Tram Fleet Maintenance." This procurement is aimed at service providers within the transport maintenance industry and is scheduled to take place primarily within the region of West Midlands, United Kingdom. The market engagement session is set for 20th April 2026, with a future notice expected on 1st July 2026. WMCA is planning an extensive maintenance agreement involving routine servicing, inspections, and various maintenance services for the Birmingham–Wolverhampton tram fleet, which encompasses 42 CAF Urbos vehicles. Interested parties can explore opportunities to participate in a competitive tender process following the market engagement phase.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for organisations specialising in railway and tramway maintenance services, particularly those with a track record in long-term asset management and technical support. With an estimated value of £140,000,000 to £168,000,000 GBP, businesses that can offer efficient lifecycle asset management, spares supply, preventative and corrective maintenance, and cleaning services are well-positioned to compete. Moreover, companies with innovative strategies to enhance safety, reliability, and cost efficiency on the tram network would benefit from this large-scale service contract. WMCA is seeking suppliers who can contribute to ongoing network expansion and sustainability, making this an attractive growth opportunity for firms within the sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

West Midlands Metro Tram Fleet Maintenance

Notice Description

WMCA, as owner of the West Midlands Metro, intends to explore the potential of undertaking a future procurement process for the long-term maintenance of the Birmingham-Wolverhampton tram fleet, comprising 42 CAF Urbos light rail vehicles currently in passenger operation. The proposed Rolling Stock Maintenance Services Agreement is expected to include full fleet maintenance responsibilities, which may encompass: * Routine servicing and inspections * Preventative and corrective maintenance * Heavy maintenance and overhaul activities * Cleaning services * Technical support and engineering services * Spares supply and materials management * Lifecycle, asset management and obsolescence planning Final scope and contractual structure will be informed by market engagement. Strategic Objectives: Any future contract will seek to deliver high standards of safety, reliability, availability, cost efficiency and long-term asset sustainability in support of ongoing network expansion.

Planning Information

Market Engagement Event WMCA will hold an online Market Engagement Session on Monday 20 April 2026 from 10:30 am until 12:00 noon. The session will outline the proposed scope, commercial principles and example procurement timeline. An on-the-day question session will be provided. Following the event, a structured questionnaire will be issued to participating organisations. Once questionnaires are returned, these will be used to inform the development of any potential procurement strategy. Following completion of the engagement exercise, WMCA will then decide whether to proceed to a competitive tender for the long-term maintenance of the West Midlands Metro fleet and internal approvals sought before issuing any planned procurement notice and documents. To register your interest in attending this online event please email carole.clarke@wmca.org.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066352
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020034-2026
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

CPV Codes

34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

50200000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft, railways, roads and marine equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£140,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 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
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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