Planning

Auto-Reconfiguration Signalling Power Supply Systems - Preliminary Market Engagement

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Mar 2026 at 13:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, headquartered in London, is initiating a preliminary market engagement concerning Auto-Reconfiguration Signalling Power Supply Systems. This procurement, currently in the planning stage, is strategically important for understanding market capabilities and informing future tender strategies. The focus is on signalling equipment within the utilities sector, addressing challenges like component obsolescence and sustainability pressures. Interested parties are invited to participate in a Soft Market Testing questionnaire available on the BravoNR platform, with submissions due by 20th April 2026. This engagement seeks insight into supplier capabilities and innovative solutions to support Network Rail's asset strategy, with the project timeline envisaged to span from January 2028 to December 2031.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in signalling equipment and related technologies, with an emphasis on developing cyber-secure, modular, and maintainable platforms. It is particularly conducive for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to the engagement focus on sustainability and technological innovation. Companies capable of offering solutions that enhance maintainability, improve passenger and freight safety, and support digital railway capabilities are well-positioned to benefit from this procurement opportunity. Collaborating with a major public undertaking like Network Rail could pave the way for growth in infrastructure and engineering sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Auto-Reconfiguration Signalling Power Supply Systems - Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Description

Network Rail operates a large portfolio of Auto Reconfiguration systems used to support the resilience of 400V TN S and 650V IT signalling power supplies. Many of these systems have been operational for more than two decades and face several challenges: * Obsolescence of essential components affecting maintainability and availability * Reliance on legacy telecoms (such as 3G) due to national network withdrawals * Rising failure risk due to ageing cables, switchgear and protection components * Limited diagnostic capability in existing systems * Inconsistent compatibility with modern power protection and monitoring solutions * Increasing sustainability pressures, including carbon reduction and waste minimisation To support Network Rail's long-term asset strategy and maintain operational performance, we are exploring a future programme to introduce a modern, cyber secure, modular, maintainable Auto Reconfiguration SPS platform. This aligns to wider organisational objectives including: * Improving safety and reliability for passengers and freight * Supporting digital railway capabilities * Reducing operational carbon * Enhancing maintainability * Delivering sustainable whole life value This preliminary market engagement will help confirm commercial viability, test supplier capability, and identify innovative approaches to support a future-proofed solution. It also seeks to understand the level of interest from the supply chain for any future tendering activity.

Planning Information

This PIN seeks to explore via a Soft Market Testing questionnaire some key information regarding the supply of auto-reconfiguration signalling power supply systems. This will help inform Network Rail generally about the supply market and also help inform any strategies should a procurement event take place. All instructions relating to submission can be found within the PIN document which is accessed via BravoNR. Questionnaire submissions, should your organisation wish to take part, are to be submitted by 12:00 20/04/2026 via BravoNR unless this deadline is extended. In the event of queries, please only raise these directly with Network Rail via the BravoNR messaging function. Access details for the PIN can be found below: URL: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/ PIN/PQQ Code: pqq_3883 Title: Auto-Reconfiguration Signalling Power Supply Systems - Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067171
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026290-2026
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34942000 - Signalling equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2028 - 31 Dec 2031 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
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE 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
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Post Town
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

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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