Tender

Class 170 SVRS Modifications

NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Tender

30 May 2026 at 14:57

Planning

22 May 2026 at 14:13

PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 10:10

PlanningUpdate

13 Apr 2026 at 10:53

Planning

20 Mar 2026 at 16:42

Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited is currently at the tender stage for a project titled "Class 170 SVRS Modifications". This initiative involves the installation of a Single Variable Rate Sanding System to the Northern Class 170 fleet, consisting of 16 units. The procurement falls under the industry category of goods, specifically targeting parts of locomotives or rolling stock. The procurement process is open and utilises a competitive flexible procedure. Key dates include the tender period ending on 10th July 2026, with the award period concluding on 9th October 2026. The project delivery locations cover regions in the United Kingdom, namely UKC, UKD, UKE, and UKG. The contract for the selected supplier is expected to commence on 26th October 2026 and end on 1st December 2027.

This tender presents a noteworthy opportunity for businesses specialising in locomotive and rolling stock components, offering a substantial contract value of up to £2,040,000. Suppliers with engineering design, validation capabilities, and expertise in locomotive system modifications are well-suited to this project. The open procurement method ensures a fair competition environment, affording an opportunity for innovative suppliers to demonstrate technical expertise and cost value. Particularly, businesses with an established track record in fleet modification, or those possessing requisite facilities and resources, would find this tender developmentally advantageous in leveraging their market position.

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Notice Title

Class 170 SVRS Modifications

Notice Description

Northern Trains Ltd (NTL) is seeking a supplier with the capability, capacity, and technical competence to deliver a Single Variable Rate Sanding System (SVRS) installation to the Northern Class 170 fleet (16 units).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The project may require the purchase of additional spares and there is a potential requirement for engineering changes based on the build phases of the Units concerned.

Planning Information

Request for Information (RFI): Class 170 SVRS Modifications 1. Introduction Northern Trains Ltd (NTL) is seeking information from suppliers with the capability, capacity, and technical competence to deliver a Single Variable Rate Sanding System (SVRS) installation to the Northern Class 170 fleet (16 units). The DFTO has mandated a £150,000,000 net subsidy reduction for Northern, to which a resulting procurement exercise following this RFI will be closely aligned. This RFI will support the refinement of the technical specification, commercial model, and tender documentation for a single competitive procurement scheduled for release in May 2026. 2. Purpose of the RFI The purpose of this RFI is to: • Understand the supplier market for the delivery of Class 170 SVRS modification work. • Validate assumptions on scope, lead times, resource availability, and delivery strategies. • Identify technical, commercial, and operational risks. • Understand supplier's approach to risk-pricing. • Inform the upcoming Invitation to Tender (ITT) scheduled for May-July 2026 • This RFI is not a call for competition and completion does not guarantee inclusion in any subsequent tender. 3. Overview of Required Services NTL seeks suppliers capable of delivering the following areas of work: • Engineering design, validation, and certification support for SVRS changes. • Installation of modification kits and associated wiring, components, or structural adaptations. • Testing, commissioning, and evidence pack submission. • Fleetwide programme management and reporting. • Document updates, configuration control, and safety case support. A full technical specification will be shared at ITT stage. 4. Fleet Covered Class 170 Turbostar Porterbrook / DMU / 3-car • NTL anticipates that the programme will require works to be delivered with minimal impact on fleet availability and operational performance. 5. Mandatory Compliance Requirements • RISQS accreditation 6. Information Requested From Suppliers Please provide responses to the following sections: 6.1 Relevant Experience Please outline relevant experience relating to: • Delivery of SVRS systems on fleets similar to Class 170 • Previous contracts: scope, value, outcomes Include examples of innovation, added value, or continuous improvement. 6.2 Operational Capacity & Resources • Workforce capacity and technician availability • Facilities (e.g., depots, workshops, testing equipment) • Lead times for mobilisation • Overview of proposed delivery model • Intended use of subcontractors or supply chain partners 6.3 Programme Delivery Approach • Proposed approach to fleet modification throughput • Risks and constraints • Resource loading capability • Indicative programme durations • Opportunities to accelerate delivery 6.4 Commercial Considerations NTL seeks high level insight on: • Commercial models typically used for modification programmes • Key cost drivers • Any volume or productivity assumptions No pricing is requested at this stage. 7. Indicative Procurement Timeline The following dates reflect NTL's current tender programme: Assemble Tender Documentation 20 Feb - 18 Apr 2026 Pre Market Engagement (including this RFI) 21 Mar - 18 Apr 2026 Internal Review & Approvals 19 Apr - 3 May 2026 Issue ITT 4-5 May 2026 Tender Clarification Window 6 May - 1 Jul 2026 Tender Submission Deadline 30 Jul 2026 Evaluation & Scoring 31 Jul - 28 Aug 2026 Moderation & Approvals 29 Aug - 19 Sep 2026 Award Recommendation 20 Sep - 11 Oct 2026 Standstill Period 12-20 Oct 2026 Contract Negotiation 21 Oct - 11 Nov 2026 Contract Award 12-13 Nov 2026 8. Response Instructions Please submit your completed RFI response to: procurement@northernrailway.co.uk NTL requests responses within 30 days of RFI issue. Responses should be submitted in PDF or Word format. Please email procurement@northernrailway.co.uk for a pre-tender copy of the specification. A recording of the 'Meet the Buyer Session' can be shared with interested parties upon request.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0670c7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051140-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34631000 - Parts of locomotives or rolling stock

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Oct 2026 - 1 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN 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
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Post Town
York
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

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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