This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

21 Sep 2026 at 09:23

Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 16:30

PlanningUpdate

27 Jul 2026 at 17:44

Planning

27 Jul 2026 at 17:40

Summary of the contracting process

Chiltern Rail Limited is procuring supplier-hosted software and associated services to replace its Train Planning and Rostering systems. The service category covers software, implementation, hosting, integration, support and maintenance. Lot 1 concerns a Train Planning System for timetables, schedules, rolling stock and traincrew diagrams, planning data, timetable changes, scenario modelling, reporting and secure data exchange. Lot 2 concerns a Rostering System for traincrew, station and fleet or engineering staff, covering roster creation, leave, overtime, shift swaps, fatigue and risk assessment, coverage gaps, employee self-service and reporting. Both lots include configuration, data migration, testing, training, information security, business continuity, disaster recovery and exit assistance. Chiltern Railways will use the systems across its railway operations. Suppliers may bid for either lot or both, and either lot may be awarded separately.

The procurement has reached tender: suppliers were invited to participate through a selective competitive flexible procedure using the Market Dojo e-sourcing portal. The expression-of-interest deadline is 16 October 2026 at 23:59. Up to five suppliers per lot may be shortlisted following the participation stage, before initial and final tenders, demonstrations and dialogue. Each lot has an expected initial contract period from 14 June 2027 to 14 June 2032, with extensions available up to 14 June 2034; the stated operational go-live is 1 March 2028 and implementation completion is 30 June 2028. Lot 1 is valued at £3,000,000 excluding VAT and Lot 2 at £3,500,000 excluding VAT over the full term including extensions. Evaluation weights are technical response 55%, commercial 20%, demonstration 15% and social value 10%.

This opportunity suits software suppliers and rail technology or systems integrators able to deliver a fully managed, vendor-hosted operational solution. Strong candidates will demonstrate relevant train planning or rostering experience, comparable contract examples, implementation and transition capability, data migration, integration with operational and rail industry systems, testing, training and change management. Ongoing support, maintenance, service management, secure data exchange, information security, business continuity, disaster recovery and contract exit planning are core requirements. The participation assessment also covers economic and financial standing, insurance, data protection, exclusions and debarment checks, intended subcontractors and other compliance matters. Technical capability responses will determine shortlisting, with up to five suppliers per lot progressing. The procurement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, and bidders can participate in one or both lots.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Chiltern Rail - Train Planning & Rostering System Replacement

Notice Description

Chiltern Railways is seeking to procure supplier-hosted software solutions and associated services to replace its existing Train Planning and Rostering systems. The procurement is divided into two Lots: Lot 1 - Train Planning System; and Lot 2 - Rostering System. Lot 1 is for the provision, implementation, hosting, support and maintenance of a Train Planning System. The solution is required to support train planning and diagramming activities, including the creation, import, editing, validation, management and publication of timetables, schedules, rolling stock diagrams and traincrew diagrams. The solution must support planning data management, timetable change management, scenario modelling, auditability, version control, reporting, user permissions and secure data exchange with relevant operational and business systems. Lot 2 is for the provision, implementation, hosting, support and maintenance of a Rostering System. The solution is required to support base, weekly and daily rostering for relevant staff groups, including traincrew, station staff and fleet/engineering staff. The solution must support roster creation, validation, publication and management, allocation of staff to duties, management of leave, overtime, shift swaps, fatigue and risk assessment, identification of uncovered turns and roster coverage gaps, employee self-service, reporting, auditability, user permissions and secure data exchange with relevant operational and business systems. For each Lot, the successful supplier will be required to provide a fully managed, vendor-hosted solution. This includes the software, hosting, configuration, implementation, data migration, integration, testing, training, change management, documentation, support, maintenance, updates, service management, information security, business continuity, disaster recovery, contract management and exit assistance required to deliver and operate the relevant solution. Bidders may participate in respect of Lot 1, Lot 2, or both Lots. Chiltern Railways may award Lot 1 and Lot 2 to different suppliers or may award both Lots to the same supplier in accordance with the procurement documents and award methodology. The estimated value of Lot 1 is PS140,000 to PS430,000 per annum and PS1,000,000 to PS3,000,000 over the full contract term, including any optional extension period. The estimated value of Lot 2 is PS210,000 to PS500,000 per annum and PS1,500,000 to PS3,500,000 over the full contract term, including any optional extension period. The estimated combined value of Lot 1 and Lot 2 is PS2,500,000 to PS6,500,000 excluding VAT over the full contract term, including any optional extension period. The estimated contract start date is 26 July 2027. The indicative operational go-live date is 1 March 2028, being the date from which the system is expected to start being rolled out and used by Chiltern Railways staff. The indicative implementation complete date is 30 June 2028, being the date by which the system is expected to be fully implemented, tested, accepted where applicable, ready for and/or used in live operational production, and to have completed dual running with the incumbent tools. The initial contract term is expected to be 60 months, with an option for Chiltern Railways to extend for a further period or periods of up to 24 months in total.

Lot Information

Train Planning System

Lot 1 is for the provision, implementation, hosting, support and maintenance of a Train Planning System for Chiltern Railways. The solution is required to support Chiltern Railways' train planning and diagramming activities, including the creation, import, editing, validation, management and publication of timetables, schedules, rolling stock diagrams and traincrew diagrams. The solution must also support planning data management across relevant timetable periods, short-term and long-term planning, service changes, cancellations, scenario modelling, auditability, version control, reporting, configurable user roles, permissions and secure data exchange with relevant operational and business systems, including rail industry systems where applicable. The successful supplier will be required to provide a fully managed, vendor-hosted solution. This includes the software, hosting, configuration, implementation, data migration, integration, testing, training, change management, documentation, support, maintenance, updates, service management, information security, business continuity, disaster recovery, contract management and exit assistance required to deliver and operate the Train Planning System. The estimated value of Lot 1 is PS140,000 to PS430,000 per annum and PS1,000,000 to PS3,000,000 excluding VAT over the full contract term, including any optional extension period. The initial contract term is expected to be 60 months, with an option for Chiltern Railways to extend for a further period or periods of up to 24 months in total.

Renewal: he initial contract term will be 60 months. Chiltern Railways may extend the contract for a further period or periods of up to 24 months in total. The extension may be used where Chiltern Railways considers that continued provision of the relevant Train Planning System and/or Rostering System is required to support operational continuity, system stability, value for money, ongoing support and maintenance, completion of lifecycle activities, or transition planning. The optional extension may be taken as one 24-month extension or as shorter extension periods, provided that the total extension period does not exceed 24 months.

Lot 2 - Rostering System

Lot 2 is for the provision, implementation, hosting, support and maintenance of a Rostering System for Chiltern Railways. The solution is required to support base, weekly and daily rostering for relevant staff groups, including traincrew, station staff and fleet/engineering staff. The solution must support roster creation, validation, publication and management, allocation of staff to duties, leave, overtime, shift swaps, fatigue and risk assessment, identification of uncovered turns and coverage gaps, reporting, auditability, user permissions and secure data exchange with relevant operational and business systems. The successful supplier will be required to provide a fully managed, vendor-hosted solution, including software, hosting, configuration, implementation, data migration, integration, testing, training, support, maintenance, service management, information security, business continuity, disaster recovery and exit assistance. The estimated value of Lot 2 is PS210,000 to PS500,000 per annum and PS1,500,000 to PS3,500,000 excluding VAT over the full contract term, including any optional extension period. The initial contract term is expected to be 60 months, with an option for Chiltern Railways to extend for a further period or periods of up to 24 months in total.

Renewal: he initial contract term will be 60 months. Chiltern Railways may extend the contract for a further period or periods of up to 24 months in total. The extension may be used where Chiltern Railways considers that continued provision of the relevant Train Planning System and/or Rostering System is required to support operational continuity, system stability, value for money, ongoing support and maintenance, completion of lifecycle activities, or transition planning. The optional extension may be taken as one 24-month extension or as shorter extension periods, provided that the total extension period does not exceed 24 months.

Planning Information

The preliminary market engagement will run from 27 July 2026 to 21 August 2026 and will be conducted electronically through Market Dojo, with no in-person events currently planned. The engagement will test the clarity, completeness and feasibility of Chiltern Railways' draft Train Planning and Rostering requirements and obtain non-binding indicative pricing to inform the expected contract value and internal budget. Suppliers wishing to participate should email frank.molloy@chilternrailways.co.uk to express their interest and receive access to the Market Dojo event. Any clarification questions must be submitted through Market Dojo by 14 August 2026, with completed responses submitted by 21 August 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088953-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

72250000 - System and support services

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Jun 2027 - 14 Jun 2032 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
Chiltern Rail Limited
Additional Buyers

THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY 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)

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