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UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice Template - Track Maintenance

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Jul 2026 at 12:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited intends to procure track maintenance and Permanent Way works as support for its internal delivery team or as a full-service delivery model for the Southern Region. The scope includes conventional plain-line renewals, plain-line refurbishment, switch and crossing renewal and refurbishment, sleeper replacement, slab-track maintenance, track drainage, timber renewal, re-ballasting, scrap collection and route clearance. It also includes rapid minor-maintenance responses to asset failures, such as lifting and packing, ballast reprofiling, rail-clamp fitting, tie-bar work, damaged-plate replacement and speed-restriction equipment, plus maintenance and renewal of track-lubrication equipment. The procurement is classified as track construction works (CPV 45234116). Delivery covers locations across the United Kingdom, including England and the London area.

This is a preliminary market engagement at the planning stage, not an invitation to tender. Network Rail expects to use a framework agreement under the utilities regime, with a procurement above the relevant threshold. The estimated value is £39,000,000 excluding VAT, or £46,800,000 including VAT. The planned contract period is 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2031, with a possible extension to 30 June 2035 and renewal rights. The procurement is planned as one lot. Market engagement has already taken place: 12 organisations were invited, and eight provided feedback through a group briefing and structured interviews covering the delivery model, contract, incentivisation, opportunities and risks. The full scope is expected to be available at the PSQ stage.

The work is likely to suit rail infrastructure contractors and specialist Permanent Way providers able to deliver both planned renewals and responsive maintenance. Relevant capability includes plain-line and switch-and-crossing renewal or refurbishment, re-sleepering, slab track, drainage, ballast, timbers, route clearance and track lubrication. Suppliers should be prepared either to support Network Rail’s internal delivery team or to manage the full service, including coordinating varied work packages and responding rapidly to asset failures. The minor-maintenance element calls for operational readiness to respond within one hour when directed. Experience working safely on operational railway infrastructure, with the technical resources, skilled workforce, plant and delivery capacity for geographically dispersed works, will be important. The procurement is identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice Template - Track Maintenance

Notice Description

The works required include but not limited to the following: The works will be to undertake all aspects of Permanent Way projects as either a support service to the internal delivery team or to undertake the full service detailed in the full Scope document to provide specialist support to the Southern Region. * Plain line conventional replacement - Conventional Plain Line renewals cover all works undertaken within Categories 4, 11, 16, 14, 2 and 1, which collectively cover steel relay, complete renewal (with or without formation) and double or single rail-based works. * Plain Line Refurbishment - Plain Line Refurbishment covers all works undertaken within Categories 6,7,9, 12, 13, Heavy Refurb (other), 3, Medium Refurb (concrete), 21 and Medium Refurb (other) which collectively sit within Heavy Refurb (other), Medium Refurb (concrete) and Medium Refurb (other). Refurbishment work is intended to extend the life of the existing track asset rather than fully renew it. * S&C Renewal - Renewal covers all works undertaken within Categories 70, 71, 72 and 73, which sit within either Full Renewal or Abandonment. * S&C Refurbishment - S&C refurbishment covers all works undertaken within Categories 74, 75, Heavy Refurb (concrete), Heavy Refurb (other), Medium Refurb (concrete) and Medium Refurb (other), which sit within the Heavy Refurb or Medium Refurb roll-up. * Full or spot re-sleepering - Renewal & replacement of single, multiple or all sleepers either as part of other works or individual delivery items (Cat 30). * Slab Track - Slab track works relating to the maintenance * Track Drainage - works associated with the maintenance of existing Railway drainage systems including minor component replacement * Timbers - renewal of Longitudinal Timbers (Cat 41) or Level Crossing surfaces (Cat 45) and wheel timbers (Lot One Only). * Re-ballasting - Replacement of existing ballast including shoulders, and track formation * Scrap collection and line of route clearance (Cat 47). * Minor maintenance response - when directed, providing response within 1 hour to asset failures, including but not limited to: lifting and packing, manual ballast reprofiling, fitting rail clamps, applying ties bar, replacement of damaged plates and applying or removing speed restriction equipment * Maintenance and renewal of track lubrication equipment, on both plain line and S&C A full scope of the works will be available at PSQ Stage.

Planning Information

Objective: To gauge the supply market’s response to Network Rail's proposed CP7 Minor Works Track delivery strategy. • Participants: 12 organisations were invited; 8 provided feedback. • Format: Group briefing followed by structured 1-on-1 interviews on key topics: o Delivery Model o Contract o Incentivisation o Opportunities & Risks

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d43c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070759-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45234116 - Track construction works

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£39,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2027 - 30 Jun 2031 4-5 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
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
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
TLI London, TLJ South East (England)
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

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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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