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Operations analysis of applications for train services between Newcastle and Brighton and Cardiff and York

OFFICE OF RAIL AND ROAD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

30 Sep 2026 at 10:14

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

11 Aug 2026 at 17:00

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) commissioned independent rail operations analysis to support its assessment of two open-access train service proposals: Grand Central’s proposed Newcastle–Brighton service and First Rail (Lumo)’s proposed Cardiff–York service. The work is transport systems consultancy, covering operational implications of the proposed services. The buying organisation is the Office of Rail and Road, the UK rail regulator. The analysis relates to proposed services connecting Newcastle and Brighton, and Cardiff and York, with delivery recorded as covering the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to SYSTRA Limited. ORR used an open competition below the applicable threshold. The contract was signed on 21 September 2026 and runs from 21 September to 23 October 2026. Its value is £44,982.28 excluding VAT (£53,978.74 including VAT). The original estimated procurement value was £45,000 excluding VAT (£54,000 including VAT). Bids were evaluated on quality, weighted at 90%, and cost, weighted at 10%. The work was set up as a single lot, with small and medium-sized enterprises considered suitable to take part. The tender submission deadline was 7 September 2026 at 12:00 BST.

For suppliers competing for comparable ORR work, this award demonstrates demand for independent operational analysis of proposed passenger rail services, including assessment of how new open-access routes may operate. A credible competitor would need rail operations and transport systems consultancy expertise, and the ability to provide clear, evidence-based analysis that supports a regulatory assessment. The work covered two proposed services with geographically extensive routes, so relevant capacity includes analysing service proposals across multiple corridors and addressing their operational implications. The strong emphasis on quality in the evaluation indicates that analytical approach and the quality of deliverables were more important than price, though cost remained part of the assessment. This is a focused consultancy requirement rather than a service-delivery contract; experience supporting rail operators, regulators or comparable transport decision-makers would be relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Operations analysis of applications for train services between Newcastle and Brighton and Cardiff and York

Notice Description

ORR requires an independent operational analysis to support our assessment of two open access proposals: Grand Central's proposed Newcastle-Brighton service and First Rail (Lumo)'s proposed Cardiff-York service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e1d5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092193-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£44,982 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Sep 2026 - 23 Oct 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFFICE OF RAIL AND ROAD
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
E14 4QZ
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SYSTRA LIMITED

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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