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Distribution and Plant Framework

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Aug 2026 at 16:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is preparing a Distribution and Plant Framework for electrical and rail infrastructure works across its Eastern routes. The scope covers power supplies, signalling, low-voltage distribution systems, low-voltage switchgear, high-voltage cabling, operational lighting and pump control systems. It also encompasses electrical installation, repair and maintenance of electrical equipment, railway signalling works, and mechanical and electrical engineering design. The framework is intended to support work across the North & East, East Coast, East Midlands and Anglia routes in the United Kingdom. This is a utilities procurement for works, aimed at maintaining and delivering the electrical and plant infrastructure needed for Network Rail’s operations.

The procurement is at planning stage and Network Rail expects to establish a framework agreement, but it is currently conducting market engagement rather than inviting tenders. The engagement questionnaire is due by 2 September 2026, and the next notice is expected on 23 November 2026. The proposed contract is expected to run from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2031, with renewal potential to 31 March 2033. The estimated value is £48 million excluding VAT, or £57.6 million including VAT, across the intended five-year term including extensions. The final structure is undecided: it may be one framework covering all routes or separate Eastern and Anglia lots. Traditional orders are under £100,000, and the planned framework is above the relevant threshold.

This will suit electrical contractors, rail infrastructure specialists, engineering consultancies and maintenance providers able to deliver power, signalling, distribution, switchgear, cabling, lighting and pump-control work in a railway environment. Suppliers should prepare evidence of capability across the proposed scope and review the required RISQS codes, which must be held at contract award. Organisations experienced in electrical installation, high- and low-voltage systems, railway signalling, electrical equipment maintenance or related mechanical and electrical design are likely to be relevant. The procurement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. Businesses can use the market engagement to explain their capabilities and influence the eventual framework structure before the tender is developed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Distribution and Plant Framework

Notice Description

Network Rail is issuing this preliminary market engagement notice to better understand the current capabilities of the supply market for Distribution and Plant works across the Eastern routes. The framework will cover works associated with power supplies, signalling, LV distribution systems, LV switchgears, HV cabling, operational lighting and pump control systems. Please note, the final structure of the framework is yet to be confirmed. It will either be a single lot for the whole coverage, or split between an Eastern lot and an Anglia lot. The final value is still to be confirmed, and is dependent on tender structure. The value provided below is an estimate of spend across the North & East, East Coast, East Midlands Routes and Anglia within the intended 5 year (including extensions) contract term. The orders traditionally placed under this framework are low value (under 100k). Specific details of the RISQS codes that must be held at contract award can be found by following the link in the 'engagement process description' section.

Planning Information

Network Rail is using this market engagement to better understand the capability and assess the level of interest to deliver the current proposed approach. This feedback will help inform Network Rail how best to deliver this potential procurement event. For the sake of clarity, this is not a call to competition and no contract(s) will be awarded to any supplier as a result of participating in this exercise. The Market Engagement for the 'Distribution and Plant Framework’ will be conducted through the completion of a questionnaire. This questionnaire deadline is 02/09/2026. Responding to this Notice is an opportunity to engage, share relevant information and provide feedback. Should you wish to respond to this Notice please follow the instructions below: 1) Accessing the documents: a. Follow the link: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html b. From the welcome screen, access the “Current Opportunities” link and select “Distribution and Plant Framework”. Login is not required. c. The released documents will be at the bottom of the page in the attachments section. 2) Once you have reviewed all the documents, please complete the questionnaire via the link provided within the attachments. Please ensure you follow these instructions carefully to submit your information correctly. 3) Any feedback, questions or clarifications in respect of this notice, should only be addressed to callum.smith5@networkrail.co.uk Please note that any content received via response to this Notice will be used purely for information purposes only and will not be deemed as forming part of any proposed bid now, or any potential future tender. This Notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this Notice and Network Rail will not accept any proposals offered in response to this Notice. Network Rail is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to or attending any Notice event.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e7ee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079146-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

45234115 - Railway signalling works

45310000 - Electrical installation work

45315400 - High voltage installation work

45315600 - Low-voltage installation work

50532000 - Repair and maintenance services of electrical machinery, apparatus and associated equipment

50711000 - Repair and maintenance services of electrical building installations

71321000 - Engineering design services for mechanical and electrical installations for buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£48,000,000 £10M-£100M
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
23 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2028 - 31 Mar 2031 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
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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