This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jul 2026 at 17:06

Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited is procuring a framework for painting and platform lining across its station network, train care centres and other operational property in northern England. The works category includes two lots: station painting and platform lining. Station painting covers inspection, preparation, treatment and painting of buildings, canopies, shelters, footbridges, railings, fencing, furniture, signage structures and related infrastructure. Platform lining covers surveys, inspections, renewal, installation and maintenance of yellow edge lines, white markings and safety messages such as “MIND THE GAP” and “MIND THE STEP”. Services will be called off as required and delivered at varying locations, including operational railway environments, stations and engineering locations, with the aim of maintaining safe, compliant and customer-friendly assets.

The procurement has reached tender: Northern Trains invited offers through an open competitive flexible procedure, with electronic submission permitted in English. It is a multi-lot framework, with up to four suppliers appointed to each lot. The tender submission deadline was 24 August 2026 at 17:00, and the evaluation period was due to end on 30 September 2026 at 23:59. Each lot has an initial contract period from 26 October 2026 to 25 October 2029, with one possible three-year extension to 25 October 2032. The total estimated value is £18,000,000 excluding VAT (£21,600,000 including VAT): £6,000,000 excluding VAT for station painting and £12,000,000 excluding VAT for platform lining. Evaluation is 50% cost, 40% technical quality and 10% social value.

This opportunity suits painting contractors and specialist rail infrastructure suppliers able to work safely around operating passenger services, stations and engineering sites. Station painting suppliers need experience in surface preparation, minor making-good, protective and decorative coatings, finishing work and manufacturer-compliant application across varied assets. Platform lining suppliers need capability in surveying, inspection, manual or mechanical preparation, installation and reinstatement of safety markings, together with inspection, testing, certification and robust quality assurance. Both lots require flexible, responsive delivery, capacity to manage changing locations and quantities, and coordination of possessions, line blocks or restricted access with minimal disruption. Suppliers must meet relevant health, safety, environmental and rail requirements; platform lining specifically cites RIS-3703-TOM, RIS-7016-INS and CDM Regulations 2015. Station painting is identified as suitable for SMEs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Station Painting & Platform Lining Framework

Notice Description

Northern Trains Limited (NTL) is going to market for the procurement of Station Painting and Platform Lining across our network of stations, train care centres and other operational property. The objective of this procurement is to establish a multi-lot framework, with up to four suppliers appointed to each lot: Lot 1: Station Painting Lot 2: Platform Lining The scope of services will be delivered with the aim of meeting performance and customer satisfaction requirements while ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory and mandatory legislation. Suppliers will be expected to apply Best Industry Practice, alongside their expertise and experience, to meet the following key objectives: * Deliver effective services that meet high-quality standards and demonstrate value for money. * Offer flexible service delivery tailored to the specific needs of each location. * Create a safe and comfortable environment for all station users. * Maintain assets in line with current statutory and regulatory legislation, as well as manufacturer's guidance, to ensure maximum longevity. NTL will be able to call off services from this framework as required. We look forward to building productive and successful relationships with our selected Suppliers following the conclusion of this process. NTL, is a Train Operating Company (TOC) that operates passenger rail services in the North of England. NTL is publishing this notice to establish a framework for the provision of Station Painting and Platform Lining. Northern Trains Limited is the sole contracting authority at the point of publication of this notice. However, it is anticipated that TransPennine Express (TPE) may also have access to this framework agreement, subject to the completion of internal governance and approval processes. Should TPE be confirmed as an additional framework user, Northern Trains Limited reserves the right to update this notice and associated procurement documentation accordingly. Where used throughout this notice, the meaning of Train Operating Companies includes all and any of those train operating companies who, currently or in the future, provide services for the carriage of passengers by railway: under a franchise agreement with the Secretary of State within the meaning of section 23(3) of the Railways Act 1993 or under, or secured under, the Secretary of State's duty in section 30(1) of the Railways Act 1993; or in accordance with legislation which supersedes or amends the powers referred to in a) and b), including where such powers are transferred from the Secretary of State to another body. The list of current providers of services for the carriage of passengers by railway under these provisions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-register-of-rail-passenger-contracts. Novation or Assignment The framework agreement may be novated or assigned by NTL to Train Operating Companies, or to DFT Operator Limited (company number: 07141122) or any successor parent company to a Train Operating Company, following a corporate restructuring or similar circumstance. Other Information NTL expressly reserves the right: not to appoint any suppliers to the framework referred to in this notice; and in no circumstances will the customer be liable for any costs incurred by the suppliers.

Lot Information

Station Painting

This Lot covers the provision of station painting services across Northern Trains Limited's (NTL) network. The works include the inspection, preparation, treatment, and painting of internal and external assets to maintain and enhance their condition, safety, and visual appearance. The scope includes, but is not limited to: buildings, canopies, waiting shelters, footbridges, railings, fencing, platform furniture, signage structures, and other associated infrastructure. Services will include surface preparation (e.g. cleaning, sanding, minor making good), application of protective and decorative coatings, and finishing works in accordance with manufacturer specifications and recognised industry standards. Suppliers will be required to deliver works within operational railway environments, often under possession or restricted access conditions, ensuring minimal disruption to passengers and services. All works must comply with applicable health and safety, environmental, and rail industry requirements. The services will be delivered via call-off contracts, with volumes and locations varying across the framework term. Suppliers must demonstrate the ability to provide a flexible and responsive service, maintain consistent quality standards, and support NTL in achieving value for money and customer satisfaction objectives.

Renewal: The Framework Contract will be let for an initial term of three (3) years. Following the expiry of the initial term, NTL may, at its sole discretion, exercise one (1) extension option of three (3) years, giving a potential maximum Framework duration of six (6) years. The exercise of any extension option will be subject to NTL's ongoing assessment of the Framework's performance and continued requirement. Extensions may be considered where: - Supplier performance across awarded call-off contracts has consistently met or exceeded the required performance indicators, including quality of workmanship, safety performance, programme delivery, and compliance with reporting obligations. Operational continuity is advantageous, particularly where suppliers have developed site-specific knowledge, established mobilisation capability, or are delivering ongoing works packages across the network. - Value for money can be demonstrated, including through benchmarking, market testing, or commercial review confirming that rates and delivery remain competitive and deliver best value. - Regulatory and contractual compliance is maintained, including adherence to all relevant rail, safety, environmental, and industry standards applicable to platform lining and station painting activities. - Business need remains unchanged, with a continued requirement for station painting and/or platform lining works in line with the scope set out in the Specification. Where the extension option is exercised, the Framework duration will be structured as follows: Initial Term: 3 years Extension Option: 3 years Maximum Framework Duration: 6 years total

Platform Lining

This Lot covers the provision of platform lining services across Northern Trains Limited's (NTL) managed network. The works include the survey, inspection, renewal, reinstatement, installation, and ongoing maintenance of platform safety lines and markings to maintain compliance, improve visibility, and support passenger and staff safety. The scope includes, but is not limited to, yellow platform edge lines, white platform markings, and associated safety messaging such as "MIND THE GAP" and "MIND THE STEP" markings. Services will include surface preparation using manual and/or mechanical methods, application or reinstatement of markings, supply of suitable materials, and completion of all associated quality assurance and certification activities. Suppliers will be required to undertake works within operational railway environments, including stations and engineering locations, often under possession, line block, or restricted access conditions. Suppliers must be capable of planning and coordinating access requirements and delivering works with minimal disruption to passengers, train services, and operational activities. All works must comply with applicable rail industry standards, including RIS-3703-TOM, RIS-7016-INS, CDM Regulations 2015, and NTL health, safety, and environmental requirements. The services will support NTL's long-term cyclical asset management strategy, operating on a planned maintenance and renewal programme to ensure platform lining assets remain compliant, visible, and effective throughout their lifecycle. Works will be delivered through call-off contracts under the framework, with locations, quantities, and programme requirements varying throughout the framework term. Suppliers must demonstrate the ability to provide a flexible and responsive service, maintain robust quality assurance processes, deliver verified inspection and testing records, and support NTL in achieving safety, compliance, efficiency, and value for money objectives.

Renewal: The Framework Contract will be let for an initial term of three (3) years. Following the expiry of the initial term, NTL may, at its sole discretion, exercise one (1) extension option of three (3) years, giving a potential maximum Framework duration of six (6) years. The exercise of any extension option will be subject to NTL's ongoing assessment of the Framework's performance and continued requirement. Extensions may be considered where: - Supplier performance across awarded call-off contracts has consistently met or exceeded the required performance indicators, including quality of workmanship, safety performance, programme delivery, and compliance with reporting obligations. Operational continuity is advantageous, particularly where suppliers have developed site-specific knowledge, established mobilisation capability, or are delivering ongoing works packages across the network. - Value for money can be demonstrated, including through benchmarking, market testing, or commercial review confirming that rates and delivery remain competitive and deliver best value. - Regulatory and contractual compliance is maintained, including adherence to all relevant rail, safety, environmental, and industry standards applicable to platform lining and station painting activities. - Business need remains unchanged, with a continued requirement for station painting and/or platform lining works in line with the scope set out in the Specification. Where the extension option is exercised, the Framework duration will be structured as follows: Initial Term: 3 years Extension Option: 3 years Maximum Framework Duration: 6 years total

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d3b7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070489-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

45442100 - Painting work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Oct 2026 - 25 Oct 2029 3-4 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
Northern 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
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Postcode Area
York
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber

Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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