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Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) Trackside Civils Request for Information

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

19 Aug 2026 at 17:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

19 Aug 2026 at 16:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Aug 2026 at 14:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is planning works to support the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the proposed replacement for the GSM-R railway communications system with a 5G-enabled platform. This part of the programme concerns trackside civil infrastructure across the United Kingdom, including potentially 4,000 to 5,000 masts, some of which could be reused from the existing GSM-R network, together with associated infrastructure. The wider FRMCS programme also includes fitting radios and related equipment to trains and establishing the active network, but this process focuses on trackside civils. The likely work covers construction of communications and power-line infrastructure, telecommunications facilities, optical-fibre cabling, towers and radio or lattice masts. Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is the buyer and the work is classified as utilities-related construction.

This process is at the planning stage and is a Request for Information, not an invitation to tender. Network Rail expects to use supply-chain responses to inform a possible future procurement; responses will be used for information only and will not form part of a current or future bid. The buyer’s planned market-engagement response deadline is 23:59 on 30 September 2026. The proposed contract period is indicative, from 1 January 2030 to 31 December 2039. The procurement is planned as a single lot, marked as suitable for SMEs, and is above the relevant threshold. The published procurement value is recorded as £0 in GBP. No award or contract has been made. Businesses interested in shaping the requirement should review the background information and instructions and submit their RFI response through the specified online process.

The work is likely to suit contractors and infrastructure providers with experience delivering large, safety-critical communications projects across the rail network or other complex operational environments. Relevant capabilities include civil engineering for trackside sites, surveying and site preparation, design and installation of towers and masts, foundations and associated infrastructure, telecommunications construction, optical-fibre cabling and connections to communication or power networks. Suppliers able to assess existing GSM-R masts for potential reuse may be well placed to contribute. The scale also favours organisations with substantial delivery capacity, nationwide mobilisation, supply-chain management and experience coordinating works around live railway operations. The engagement gives capable suppliers an opportunity to explain their technical approach, delivery model, asset-reuse capability and the practical constraints that should inform any later procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) Trackside Civils Request for Information

Notice Description

The Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) represents a critical replacement of the current Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) system, transitioning the GB rail network to a future-proofed, 5G-enabled communications platform. This migration will strengthen mission-critical voice and data capabilities, whilst supporting existing operational railway systems. FRMCS rollout will comprise three core technical aspects: 1.Trackside civils - potentially 4,000 - 5,000 masts (including some potential re-use of existing GSM-R masts) and associated infrastructure 2.Train fitment - radio and associated equipment on all trains across the network 3.FRMCS active network - Core, RAN etc. Trackside civils is a critical focus area for FRMCS delivery & Network Rail is therefore issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to engage with the supply chain and inform potential future procurement of FRMCS trackside civils infrastructure. Please note that any content received via response to this RFI will be used for information purposes only and will not be deemed as forming part of any proposed bid now, or any potential future tender.

Planning Information

To access the background information and instruction document which includes a link to an MS Form to enter your response, please: 1. Follow the link: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html 2. From the welcome screen, access the "Current Opportunities" link and select "Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS) Trackside Civils". Login is not required. 3. The document is at the bottom of the page in the attachments section. Deadline for responding is 23:59 on 30th September 2026. Any clarification questions relating to the RFI should be directed to aker.akol2@networkrail.co.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e7cc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079220-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

32523000 - Telecommunications facilities

32562200 - Optical telecommunication cables

32562300 - Optical-fibre cables for data transmission

44212200 - Towers, lattice masts, derricks and pylons

44212250 - Masts

44212261 - Radio masts

44212263 - Lattice masts

45231000 - Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines

45232300 - Construction and ancillary works for telephone and communication lines

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
30 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2030 - 31 Dec 2039 Over 5 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
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE 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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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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