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357 Fleet Refurbishment and Systems Upgrade

C2C RAILWAY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

19 Aug 2026 at 09:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Aug 2026 at 09:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

C2C Railway Limited, with GA Trains Limited, is considering services to refurbish and upgrade its Class 357 passenger trains across the Essex Thameside network in the United Kingdom. The fleet comprises 74 Class 357 vehicles, built around 2000, with earlier refurbishment and technology upgrades. Potential work covers interior floors, seat coverings, toilets, panels and surfaces; cab condition and power or USB outlets; passenger power; passenger information and media screens; front-facing and interior CCTV; automatic passenger counting; passenger communication reset functionality; automatic selective door operation; and improvements to air-conditioning reliability. The scope also considers replacing the legacy platform-based driver-only operation system with a modern in-cab alternative, including installation and performance risks. This is rolling-stock repair, maintenance and systems-upgrade work.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is above the applicable threshold under the utilities regime; it is not yet an invitation to tender. C2C and GA Trains are conducting preliminary market engagement through a questionnaire, with responses expected by 12pm on 18 September 2026. The buyer is considering an open tender procedure, although the procedure has not yet been launched. The procurement is structured as one planned lot. The anticipated contract period is 18 September 2027 to 17 September 2029, with renewal provisions allowing the arrangement to run at most until 17 September 2036. The buyer is seeking market views on refurbishment and upgrade options, including whether an in-cab driver-only operation system could be more cost-effective than maintaining platform cameras and mirrors approaching obsolescence.

The work is likely to suit rail engineering, rolling-stock refurbishment and train systems specialists able to deliver integrated mechanical, electrical, passenger-information and safety upgrades. Relevant suppliers may include organisations with experience in passenger-train interiors, cab equipment, onboard power, CCTV, passenger counting, air-conditioning, communications, Ethernet or media systems, and automatic or selective door-operation technology. Strong candidates will need to manage installation and performance risk, particularly when replacing the legacy driver-only operation arrangement with an in-cab system. The requirement may suit businesses able to survey an ageing fleet, develop technically compatible options and carry out installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance across multiple train vehicles. Suppliers with a track record of delivering upgrades on operational railway fleets should prepare evidence of comparable capability and experience.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

357 Fleet Refurbishment and Systems Upgrade

Notice Description

c2c operates a fleet of 12 X 720 and 74 X 357 vehicles across the Essex Thameside network. This concerns the 357 fleet. The units have been in service since approximately 2000. Some previous upgrade/refurbishment of the total Fleet took place around 2016/2017 broadly including but not limited to the following areas; Flooring, heater panels, fixtures fittings, seats, cab floor, toilets refreshed. In addition, in 2016 these Units were, as part of a project called 'Intelligent Trains', fitted with Intelligent Gateway (Router), antennas, Ethernet backbone, CCTV, OTDRs, passenger information points, passenger Wi-Fi access points and Ethernet switches passenger information points. c2c is now considering its options in relation to refurbishing and upgrading the units to make them more aligned with future passenger and operator expectations. Areas to be considered in potential scope may include but are not limited to: - Interiors: Floors and covering, seats and coverings, toilets, panels, surfaces etc. - Cabs: general condition and power/USB outlets - At seat power considerations - PIS/Media Screens - FF and interior CCTV - Automatic passenger counting - Remote (Cab) passenger communication reset functionality - ASDO/SDO - Air conditioning systems reliability improvements - In addition, c2c currently operates a platform-based DOO legacy system which dates from 2000, on an East -West route, views are solicited as to whether it would be more cost effective to install an in cab modern alternative as platform cameras and mirrors approach obsolescence. Options should be particularly aware of installation and performance risk.

Planning Information

c2c and GATL are conducting a pre market engagement activity for 357 Fleet Refurbishment and Systems Upgrade. The link below provides details as to how the Preliminary market engagement questionnaire should be completed, please download the PowerPoint and follow the instructions: https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/procurementattachments/ The extended deadline for responses is 12pm (midday) on 18/09/2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e716
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078796-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

50222000 - Repair and maintenance services of rolling stock

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Sep 2027 - 17 Sep 2029 2-3 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
C2C RAILWAY LIMITED
Additional Buyers

GA TRAINS 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
EC3R 6DL
Postcode Area
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Billingsgate
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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