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Wagon Wheelset Overhaul (ITT)

Direct Rail Services Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jul 2026 at 14:18

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited is seeking wagon wheelset overhaul services. The requirement covers the repair and maintenance of locomotive wheelsets used on wagons, under CPV 50221300. This is a specialist rail engineering and rolling-stock maintenance opportunity for organisations able to overhaul wagon wheelsets and return them to the required operational condition. The buying organisation is Direct Rail Services Limited, based in Carlisle. The procurement is for services rather than the supply of new equipment or construction works. The stated requirement is focused on wheelset overhaul, so businesses whose work centres on rail vehicle maintenance, wheelset engineering, inspection, refurbishment or associated workshop services are the most relevant potential bidders. The procurement is presented as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

The process reached tender: Direct Rail Services Limited invited offers through an open procedure. Enquiries had to be submitted by 18 August 2026 at 15:00, and offers by 25 August 2026 at 15:00. Electronic submission was allowed in English. The tender has one lot, with an estimated value of £14,200,000 including tax. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031, with a possible extension to 30 September 2033. The buyer expected to decide the award by 22 September 2026. Evaluation is based on price weighted at 60% and quality at 40%. Direct Rail Services Limited states that it is operating a voluntary fair process broadly aligned with aspects of the competitive flexible procedure, rather than claiming to be legally subject to UK procurement legislation.

This opportunity suits rail engineering businesses with the technical capability, workshop facilities and operational capacity to overhaul wagon wheelsets at the scale required by a long-term service contract. Relevant suppliers are likely to have established experience in locomotive or wagon wheelset repair, maintenance, refurbishment and associated quality-control processes. The requirement is also identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so participation is not limited to the largest industrial contractors. Businesses should be able to demonstrate a credible quality approach as well as competitive pricing, because quality accounts for a substantial part of the evaluation. Specialist wheelset overhaul providers, rolling-stock maintenance contractors and capable rail engineering firms are the clearest fit.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Wagon Wheelset Overhaul (ITT)

Notice Description

Wagon Wheelset Overhaul DRS does not consider itself bound by the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and associated procurement legislation (together the "UK procurement legislation") on the basis that, operating commercially, it is not a public authority, nor does it carry out any utility activities. Accordingly, this Procurement is not, and does not purport to be, subject to UK procurement legislation. For the avoidance of doubt, Tenderers are put on notice that the publication of this document and any other document that relates to this Procurement (including the relevant tender notice) is published voluntarily and nothing in this document, or any other document that DRS publishes in relation to this Procurement, should be construed as purporting to give rise to rights or obligations under UK procurement legislation. That said, DRS intends to operate a fair process which broadly aligns with certain key aspects of the competitive flexible procedure under the PA23 and which aligns with the objectives of section 12(1)-(3) of the PA23.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d358
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070331-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50221300 - Repair and maintenance services of locomotive wheelsets

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£14,200,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£14,200,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
25 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 Over 5 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
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
Postcode Area
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)

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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