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Independent Assessor Framework

Transport for Wales

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 13:53

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Wales is establishing an Independent Assessor Framework for specialist independent assessment and assurance across its rail infrastructure projects. The services will verify compliance with railway safety, interoperability and regulatory requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Three service areas are included: Assessment Body services for Common Safety Method risk evaluation and assessment requirements; combined Assessment Body, Approval Body and Designated Body services for National Technical Specification Notices and National Technical Rules; and Independent Competent Person services for compliance with the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations. Work will be delivered across Wales. The framework covers safety documentation reviews, hazard and system assessments, design and construction assurance, verification records, technical files and reports for commissioning and handover activities.

The procurement has reached tender: Transport for Wales invited offers through an open procedure for a closed framework agreement, with call-offs awarded both with and without reopening competition. The enquiry deadline was 26 August 2026 at 12:00, and the tender submission deadline is 4 September 2026 at 12:00. The anticipated award decision date is 12 October 2026. The total estimated value is £4,125,000 excluding VAT, or £4,950,000 including VAT. Lot 1 and Lot 2 are each estimated at £1,666,667 excluding VAT (£2,000,000 including VAT); Lot 3 is estimated at £791,666.67 excluding VAT (£950,000 including VAT). Each lot is evaluated on price at 30%, quality at 60% and social value at 10%.

This opportunity suits rail safety, interoperability, certification, engineering and systems assurance specialists able to provide independent assessments for complex infrastructure projects. Suppliers should be able to develop assessment plans, examine safety management systems, system definitions, hazard records, safety justifications and authorisation evidence, and produce formal assessment, verification, review and compliance reports. Relevant expertise may include Common Safety Method risk evaluation and assessment, National Technical Specification Notices, National Technical Rules, the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations, and the production of technical files and records supporting design, construction, commissioning and handover. The buyer identifies each lot as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist consultancies with the necessary technical capability and capacity may be well placed to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Assessor Framework

Notice Description

TfW is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to cover Independent Assessor services. The proposed framework will provide specialist independent assessment and assurance services to verify compliance with railway safety, interoperability and regulatory requirements. The framework will be divided into three lots: Lot 1 - Assessment Body (AsBo): Independent assessment against Common Safety Method (CSM-REA) requirements. Lot 2 - AsBo / Approval Body (ApBo) / Designated Body (DeBo): Safety and interoperability assessment services against National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) and National Technical Rules (NTRs). Lot 3 - Independent Competent Person (ICP): Independent verification of compliance with ROGS requirements. The framework will support assurance activities across TfW rail infrastructure projects throughout the project lifecycle. Further information can be found in the Tender Documents published on the Atamis procurement portal.

Lot Information

Assessment Body (AsBo)

Provides independent verification of compliance with the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-REA). Key activities: * Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Preliminary Design (Stage C). * Review and assess: o Safety Plans o System Definitions o Hazard Records o Safety Justification Reports * Issue: o Progressive Assessment Records at Stages C and E. o Safety Assessment Records at Stage F (Construction, Commissioning and Handover).

AsBo, Approval Body (ApBo) and Designated Body (DeBo)

Provides: * AsBo services for CSM-REA compliance. * ApBo services for interoperability compliance against applicable National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs). * DeBo services for interoperability compliance against National Technical Rules (NTRs). Key activities: * Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Stage C. * Review safety documentation (System Safety & Authorisation Plans, System Definition, Hazard Record, Safety Justification Report). * Assess NTSN compliance and supporting evidence. * Issue: o Progressive Assessment Records (Stages C and E). o Design Intermediate Statement of Verification (ISV-D) at Detailed Design (Stage E). o Production Intermediate Statement of Verification (ISV-P) at Construction/Commissioning (Stage F). o Safety Assessment Records at Stage F. o A final Technical File.

Independent Competent Person (ICP)

Provides independent verification of compliance with the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS). Key activities: * Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Stage C. * Review the Duty Holder's: o Safety Management System (SMS) o System Safety & Authorisation Plan o System Definition o Hazard Record o Safety Justification Report * Issue: o ICP Duty Holder SMS Report at Stage C. o ICP Preliminary Design Review Reports at Stage C. o ICP Design Review Reports at Stage E. o ICP Pre-Commissioning Review Reports at Stage F

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d8df
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072731-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services

71530000 - Construction consultancy services

72246000 - Systems consultancy services

79132000 - Certification services

79417000 - Safety consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,125,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,125,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
4 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2030-01-30

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Transport for Wales
Additional Buyers

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PONTYPRIDD
Postcode
CF37 4TH
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL Wales
Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Pontypridd Town
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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