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BT MGST - Private Circuit Emergency Overrun Service (PCEOS) Extension

Transport for London

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2026 at 12:45

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London procured the continued provision of BT’s Private Circuit Emergency Overrun Service (PCEOS) for the London Overground GSM-R railway communications network. The service supports safety-critical telecommunications links between train drivers, signallers and railway operational control functions. It maintains existing private circuits while Rail for London migrates from BT’s legacy Megastream platform to a replacement Nokia-based transmission solution. The requirement is for telecommunications maintenance and associated communications equipment services, including repair, maintenance and installation support. Delivery is for the London Overground network in the United Kingdom, with the buying organisation based at Transport for London in London. The service concerns an existing BT-operated infrastructure rather than a new network installation.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a single-lot direct award under the utilities regime. Transport for London selected BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, with the award dated 14 August 2026. The awarded value is £450,672 excluding VAT and £540,806 including VAT. The contract period runs from 14 August 2026 to 30 November 2026. The direct award was justified because BT owns and operates the Megastream infrastructure and proprietary technology supporting the existing circuits, making it the only supplier capable of maintaining the service. The stated basis was absence of competition for technical reasons, no reasonable alternative supplier and the need to preserve continuity of a safety-critical railway communications service during migration. The tender was above the relevant threshold.

This requirement is most relevant to large telecommunications providers or specialist rail communications businesses with the capability to maintain legacy carrier infrastructure and private circuits in a safety-critical operating environment. A credible competitor would need experience supporting GSM-R or comparable railway operational communications, including reliable links between mobile train crews, signalling teams and control centres. It would also need the technical ability to maintain, repair and install communications equipment, manage service continuity during platform migration, and work safely around railway operations. The award shows that Transport for London values continuity, infrastructure ownership or authorised access, proprietary-system expertise and demonstrable operational resilience. Suppliers without access to the incumbent Megastream infrastructure would face a substantial technical barrier on this specific requirement; future credibility would depend on offering an equivalent migration-compatible solution or relevant specialist capability.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BT MGST - Private Circuit Emergency Overrun Service (PCEOS) Extension

Notice Description

The contract is for the continued provision of BT's Private Circuit Emergency Overrun Service (PCEOS) supporting the London Overground GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway) network. The service maintains safety-critical telecommunications links used for communications between train drivers, signallers and railway operational control functions. The contract is required to ensure continuity of GSM-R services while Rail for London completes the migration from BT's legacy Megastream platform to a replacement Nokia-based transmission solution. BT is the only supplier capable of providing the service due to its ownership and operation of the Megastream infrastructure.

Procurement Information

A Direct Award to BT plc is proposed as BT is the only supplier capable of providing the Megastream service that supports the London Overground GSM-R network. The service operates on BT-owned infrastructure and proprietary technology, and no alternative supplier can provide or maintain the existing circuits. The contract is required to maintain a safety-critical railway communications service whilst Rail for London completes migration to a replacement Nokia-based transmission solution. Failure to secure the service would create significant operational and safety risks through the loss of GSM-R communications between train drivers, signallers and railway operational control functions. The Direct Award is therefore justified due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, the lack of a reasonable alternative supplier, and the need to ensure continuity of a critical operational service until the migration programme is completed

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e4a0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077667-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

50300000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment

51300000 - Installation services of communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£450,672 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Aug 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Transport for London
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
E20 1JN
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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