Notice Information
Notice Title
WAN Circuits
Notice Description
Provision and continuation of UK Wide Area Network (WAN) services for XC Trains Ltd. The services comprise BT Ethernet Connect UK, Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, Multi Service Business Access (MSBA), and IP Connect Global, delivering WAN connectivity between data centres, offices, operational depots and remote sites across the UK. The services include managed MPLS connectivity, resilient access circuits, point-to-point leased lines and Short Haul Data Services (SHDS), together with associated network equipment and support. The existing network architecture, resilience model and site connectivity will be retained, with agreed incremental upgrades where required to meet current operational needs. The direct award ensures continuity of critical network services, avoids disruption to live rail operations, and maintains compatibility with the existing network architecture.
Procurement Information
This direct award relates to the continuation and temporary extension of existing WAN services delivered by the incumbent supplier, BT. The services are embedded within XC Trains' live operational environment and are technically integrated across multiple sites and systems. For technical reasons, a change of supplier at this point would require significant network re engineering and transition activity, creating unacceptable risks to service continuity. The direct award is therefore necessary to ensure continuity of critical services and is limited to a temporary extension and partial replacement of existing services only. This temporary arrangement enables XC Trains to maintain operational stability while allowing sufficient time to plan and undertake a future competitive procurement in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-0686d5
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035854-2026
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK5 - Transparency Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Direct
- Procurement Method Details
- Direct award
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- Large
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
-
- CPV Codes
72720000 - Wide area network services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- £412,295 £100K-£500K
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 21 Apr 20263 days ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 21 Apr 20263 days ago
- Contract Period
- 2 May 2026 - 2 May 2028 2-3 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Pending
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- XC 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
- BUSINESS PARK
- Postcode
- SR3 3XP
- Post Town
- Sunderland
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLC North East (England)
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLC44 Sunderland
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Sunderland
- Electoral Ward
- Doxford
- Westminster Constituency
- Houghton and Sunderland South
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035854-2026
21st April 2026 - Transparency 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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