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).
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.
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/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
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, TLG West Midlands (England)
-
- Local Authority
- York
- Electoral Ward
- Micklegate
- Westminster Constituency
- York Central
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051140-2026
30th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048076-2026
22nd May 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033646-2026
14th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033206-2026
13th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025969-2026
20th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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