Planning

Class 170 SVRS Modifications

NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Mar 2026 at 16:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited is in the planning stage of a procurement process to find a supplier capable of delivering modifications for the Class 170 fleet with the Single Variable Rate Sanding System (SVRS) installation. The opportunity falls within the "Parts of locomotives or rolling stock" industry category, with the procurement officially titled "Class 170 SVRS Modifications." The buying organisation is Northern Trains Ltd, situated in York, United Kingdom. This procurement is under the goods category and is scheduled to kick off with the tender issuance expected from 4th to 5th May 2026, followed by submission deadlines ending on 30th July 2026. Key dates include the evaluation period spanning from 31st July to 28th August 2026, with the contract award projected between 12th and 13th November 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in locomotive and rolling stock enhancements, particularly those with expertise in engineering design, validation, and certification for such modifications. The Request for Information (RFI) invites suppliers with capabilities in installation, testing, commissioning, programme management, and safety case support. Businesses proficient in managing fleetwide programmes and offering innovative solutions with minimal disruption to operational performance are well-suited to compete. Furthermore, the procurement's alignment with a substantial £150,000,000 net subsidy reduction adds potential for suppliers to contribute to achieving cost efficiencies, making it ideal for those focused on growth through strategic partnerships and value-added services within the transportation sector. Responses are invited by Northern Trains Limited via PDF or Word format to their procurement email within 30 days of RFI issuance.

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Notice Information

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).

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0670c7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025969-2026
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
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Mar 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Nov 2026 - 16 May 2028 1-2 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
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
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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