This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jul 2026 at 13:18

Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited, located in Carlisle, United Kingdom, has initiated a tender under the title "Wagon Wheelset Overhaul". This tender falls within the industry category of repair and maintenance services of locomotive wheelsets, with a substantial gross value of £14,200,000. The procurement process is at the tender stage, employing an open procedure. Notably, this procurement is not bound by UK procurement legislation as DRS operates commercially. Key deadlines for interested parties include the enquiry period closing on 18th August 2026 and the tender submission deadline on 25th August 2026, with the award period concluding on 22nd September 2026. The contract is scheduled to commence on 1st October 2026 for a five-year term, potentially extending to 30th September 2033.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in repair and maintenance services for railway industries. Companies that are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate. The award criteria balance price (60%) and quality (40%), fostering a competitive environment for providers with expertise in quality service delivery at competitive pricing. By engaging in this tender, businesses can expand their portfolio within the rail services sector and establish a substantial client relationship with a key player in the UK rail industry.

How relevant is this notice?

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.

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 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
25 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 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

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

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.

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