Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Market Research Services

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

22 Jun 2026 at 11:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is inviting tenders for a framework agreement to procure market research services, including B2C, B2B, and customer experience research. The procurement is classified under the services category and will potentially cover a wide geographic scope across the United Kingdom. The procurement process is in the tender stage and is scheduled with key deadlines, including a submission deadline for the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PSQ) by 20 July 2026. This competitive flexible procedure comprises two lots, each running for an eight-year period starting from 5 February 2027, offering scope for industry professionals to engage in varied research and insight services to support Network Rail's communications and commercial endeavours. Suppliers can participate in either or both lots via a selective procurement procedure, designed in alignment with the Procurement Act 2023, with shortlisting and a subsequent invitation to tender (ITT) phase.

This tender provides an exciting growth opportunity for businesses specialising in market research services, particularly those adept in qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The framework, with a gross value of over £44 million, allows a diverse range of companies, including SMEs, to enter into or expand their foothold in the public sector. The competition is ideal for businesses possessing accreditations such as the Market Research Society's Company Partner Accreditation and ISO27001 certification. Successful participants will aid in delivering crucial insights across two significant lots: Communications and Commercial Property & Retail. With its long-term framework and flexibility in procurement methods, this opportunity is suitable for firms looking to secure stable, long-term projects with one of the UK's major infrastructure organisations, thus paving the way for scalable business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Market Research Services

Notice Description

Network Rail procures B2C/B2B/CX research services & commercial/consumer market intelligence to support internal and external communications, marketing & engagement activities. This is currently done via a multi-lot framework with multiple suppliers per lot to facilitate both short- and long- term projects with call off mechanisms varying subject to value. NR is undertaking market engagement via a questionnaire to help understand how to potentially retender these services. Any eventual procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. This Tender notice is linked to preliminary market engagement notice reference: ocds- h6vhtk - 060cc9

Lot Information

Communications

Suppliers on Lot 1 must be able to research a wide range of audiences, including: * Passengers and the general public * Employees * Businesses and industry stakeholders (B2B) * Politicians and journalists Suppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including: * Passenger satisfaction and experience tracking (e.g. stations, journeys, services) * Customer and stakeholder insight (B2C, B2B and CX research) * Employee engagement research * Communications development and evaluation (testing messages, campaigns and materials) * Brand and reputation research * Mystery shopping and on site research * Behaviour change and behavioural insight studies * Segmentation and profiling * Public health, safety and policy related research * Policy evaluation services * Technology Insights

Options: The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a "Break Point"). This is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to: * Greater geographic scope * Changes to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities * Changes to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities * Additional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs * Changes to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data * Changes how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms * Other changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways

Commercial Property & Retail

Suppliers on Lot 2 must be able to research a range of audiences, including: * Passengers and the general public * Businesses and industry stakeholders (B2B) * Stakeholders in the wider rail and transport industries such as TOCs (Train Operating Companies), Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and their stakeholders Suppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including: * Trends and insight into retail buying behaviours of passengers and consumers o General retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) o Travel retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) o Customer experience - experiential activity * Customer profiling and segmentation * Thought leadership in the retail and commercial sphere * Turning information into actionable insights for daily decision-making and strategic planning

Options: The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a "Break Point"). This is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to: * Greater geographic scope * Changes to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities * Changes to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities * Additional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs * Changes to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data * Changes how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms * Other changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9df
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058401-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£37,389,422 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£37,389,421 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Feb 2027 - 5 Feb 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2035-02-02

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
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
Postcode Area
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

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...