Planning

Class 68/88 Locomotive Windscreen Fitment

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

10 Mar 2026 at 11:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

10 Mar 2026 at 10:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

10 Mar 2026 at 10:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited is progressing with the procurement process for the windscreen fitment on Class 68 and 88 Locomotives, classified under repair and maintenance services of locomotives. The procurement falls within the services industry category and is being managed from Carlisle, United Kingdom. The current stage is planning, and feedback from the market engagement notice is due by 24 March 2026, with future communications anticipated from 30 March 2026. The procurement process is operating under the Procurement Act 2023, aiming to maintain fairness and transparency, although Direct Rail Services Limited reserves the right to deviate from this Act as required.

This tender presents valuable opportunities for businesses specialising in locomotive repair and maintenance, particularly those capable of offering removal and fitment services for train windscreens. With a gross contract value of £60,000 GBP, it is tailored to accommodate SMEs, ensuring accessibility for smaller enterprises. Businesses with adequate experience and delivery capacity can compete effectively, contributing to their growth by engaging in work with a reputable public authority. The work will commence on 23 April 2026, extending over four years, allowing sustained business engagement and project development for successful bidders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Class 68/88 Locomotive Windscreen Fitment

Notice Description

The contracting authority (DRS) is seeking a competent and experienced supplier to provide removal and fitment services for windscreens on their Class 68 and 88 Locomotives. DRS is, on a voluntary basis, operating under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) for this procurement and is therefore advertising this opportunity on the Central Digital Platform. By doing so, it does not become a public authority and DRS reserve the right to deviate from the PA23 at its discretion but will preserve the principles of fairness and transparency. The RFI document can be found on our Atamis Portal: https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome Atamis Reference: C29511

Planning Information

This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to understand the market capability, experience, capacity and delivery approach, which will help shape NTS’s procurement strategy for future opportunities. The feedback received will inform NTS’s understanding of the market and enable effective planning to ensure sufficient lead time for suppliers to meet project deadlines.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06660d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021239-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50221000 - Repair and maintenance services of locomotives

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Apr 2026 - 22 Apr 2030 4-5 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
DIRECT RAIL SERVICES 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA6 4SJ
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Dalston and Burgh
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

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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