Planning

Domestic Courier Services

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Jun 2026 at 12:44

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited is in the planning phase of a procurement process titled "Domestic Courier Services," aimed at acquiring various logistics solutions within the United Kingdom, including courier, pallet, heavy haulage, and dangerous goods services. The procurement falls under the services category, with an industry classification of courier services and is valued at a gross amount of £220,000. The initial market engagement notice indicates a milestone deadline of 26 June 2026, with services to commence on 1 January 2027 and conclude by 31 December 2028. Located in Carlisle, the buyer operates within the sub-central government sector, highlighting an opportunity for relevant businesses to express interest in this tender.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for companies specialising in logistics and transportation services, particularly those capable of providing diverse offerings such as courier and heavy haulage. Given that the procurement process is structured to accommodate SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises, businesses fitting these profiles may find this contract particularly advantageous. The planning stage aims to explore market capabilities, ensuring that experienced and innovative bidders in the courier services industry are well-positioned to compete for this contract. Businesses interested in expanding within the UK logistics sector would benefit from participating in this procurement process to secure a foothold in Direct Rail Services' supply chain network.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Domestic Courier Services

Notice Description

Direct Rail Services (DRS) has requirements for domestic courier services. Domestic means the transportation between DRS depots and between DRS depots and 3rd party locations within the UK. The required services are as follows: * Courier service * Pallet service * Heavy Haulage Services * Dangerous good service (Non-nuclear materials) DRS is currently seeking to understand the capabilities of the market for this requirement.

Planning Information

Direct Rail Services (DRS) has requirements for domestic courier services. Domestic means the transportation between DRS depots and between DRS depots and 3rd party locations within the UK. The required services are as follows: • Courier service • Pallet service • Heavy Haulage Services • Dangerous good service (Non-nuclear materials) DRS is currently seeking to understand the capabilities of the market for this requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b422
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055728-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64120000 - Courier services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 Jun 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 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
DIRECT RAIL SERVICES 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA6 4SJ
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Dalston and Burgh
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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