This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Aug 2026 at 08:49

Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited intends to establish a multi-lot framework for geotechnical and civil engineering works across Wales and the Western region. The work will focus on rock-cutting remediation, earthwork drainage improvements and burrowing management, including surveys, investigation, feasibility studies, design, construction and handback. Delivery may be design-and-build, build-only or design services, depending on the scheme’s maturity. Suppliers will act as Principal Contractor and, where applicable, Principal Designer in the operational railway environment. The framework is described as covering two lots: Wales rock cutting and drainage, and Western rock cutting and drainage. The relevant work includes excavating and earthmoving, drainage, ground stabilisation, rock netting and rock scaling. The buyer is Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.

This procurement is at the planning and preliminary market-engagement stage; it is not yet an invitation to tender. Network Rail expects to use a multi-lot framework with a three-year term and options to extend by one year plus one year. The structured contract dates are 11 December 2026 to 11 December 2029, with a maximum end date of 11 December 2031. Indicative values are £40.8 million for Lot 1 and £36.8 million for Lot 2. The published overall estimate is £77.6 million excluding VAT, or £93.12 million including VAT. An expression of interest through RISQS is expected by 28 August 2026, followed by a Participation Stage Questionnaire through Bravo. The buyer expects the next notice on 4 September 2026. No supplier may win both lots.

The work is suited to established civil engineering and geotechnical contractors able to deliver safety-critical works on the railway, from investigation and design through construction and handback. Relevant experience includes earthwork drainage design, disposal, maintenance, installation and modification; rock-netting and rock-scaling design and works; rock-cutting remediation; ground stabilisation; and burrowing management. Suppliers should be able to provide design-and-build delivery, build-only construction or early-stage survey and feasibility services, and may need to price complex schemes through further competition or standalone proposals. Participation requires registration on RISQS with all relevant earthworks drainage, rock netting and rock scaling categories. A valid Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence is mandatory by the PSQ invitation stage. The work is identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Wales & Western: Civils Delivery Contract EOI

Notice Description

Network Rail intends to establish a multi-lot framework for the delivery of geotechnical and civil engineering works across the Wales and Western Region. The framework will primarily support rock cutting remediation, earthwork drainage improvements, and burrowing management activities, delivered through a design-and-build approach. Suppliers will undertake investigation, design, construction, and handback activities, acting as Principal Contractor, and where applicable, Principal Designer The Framework is divided into the following Lots: * Lot 1 - Wales: Rock Cutting & Drainage * Lot 2 - Western Rock Cutting and Drainage Bidders may submit a tender for both Lot 1 or Lot 2; however, no bidder may be awarded more than one Lot under this Framework Agreement The framework shall be delivered through a 3 year with a +1+1 option to extend. Based off the current indicative work bank the estimated contract value for Lot 1 is PS40.8 million; Lot 2 is PS36.8million. . Where projects are at an early stage of development, Network Rail may instruct suppliers to undertake surveys, investigations, feasibility studies, outline design and detailed design services. Following completion of these activities, the appointment to undertake surveys or design activities does not guarantee award of subsequent construction works. Where an outline scope or performance requirement has already been established, Network Rail may instruct Suppliers on a Design and Build basis. In these circumstances, the Supplier shall be responsible for completing the design and delivering the construction works in accordance with the agreed scope and contractual requirements. Where suitable designs already exist, including schemes previously developed under the Intelligent Client model, Network Rail may issue build-only instructions under the Framework Complex and Bespoke Schemes - Mini Completion Where a scheme is of a complex, bespoke or specialist nature and cannot reasonably be priced using the Schedule of Rates, Network Rail reserves the right to seek a standalone price from one or more Framework Suppliers or undertake a further competition between Framework Suppliers, where this is considered necessary to demonstrate value for money and achieve the optimal delivery outcome. Route to Market Following RISQS becoming a Dynamic Market from 1 April 2026, Network Rail intends to invite all suppliers registered on RISQS and holding the relevant category codes listed within this notice to participate in the procurement process. T Eligibility Requirements: . Must be registered onto RISQS and hold all the codes: Code Service Activity Classification Path C.C.3.4.8.6 Earthworks Drainage / Design Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.6 Earthworks Drainage / Dispose Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.6 Earthworks Drainage / Maintain Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.6 Earthworks Drainage / Install Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.6 Earthworks Drainage / Modify Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.7 Rock Netting / Design Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.7 Rock Netting / Dispose Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.7 Rock Netting / Maintain Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.7 Rock Netting / Install Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.7 Rock Netting / Modify Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.8 Rock Scaling / Design Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.8 Rock Scaling / Dispose Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.8 Rock Scaling / Maintain Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.8 Rock Scaling / Install Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks C.C.3.4.8.8 Rock Scaling / Modify Infrastructure > Structures and Earthworks > Structural Services > Infrastructure Support > Earthworks . Holding a valid Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence is a mandatory condition of participation in this procurement. To be invited to tender, suppliers must hold the licence at the date of the Participation Stage Questionnaire (PSQ) invitation. Suppliers that do not hold a valid Principal Contractor Licence at that time will not be invited to participate further in the procurement process. This requirement is necessary due to the safety-critical nature of the works and the need to demonstrate the capability to undertake the Principal Contractor role within the operational railway environment from the outset of the contract.

Planning Information

An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been issued via RISQS. Please confirm your intention to participate by responding through RISQS no later than 28 August 2026. Suppliers who wish to be considered for the opportunity must submit their response via RISQS by the stated deadline. Failure to respond will result in your organisation not being invited to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PSQ) stage. Please note that the PSQ will be administered through Network Rail's Bravo eSourcing system. It is the supplier's responsibility to ensure that they are enrolled and able to access Bravo prior to the PSQ launch. Network Rail will not permit any extension of time due to a supplier's failure to enrol onto, register for, or gain access to the Bravo system. No extension of time shall be granted under these circumstances.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e823
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079263-2026
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


CPV Codes

45111230 - Ground-stabilisation work

45112000 - Excavating and earthmoving work

45232452 - Drainage works

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£77,600,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Aug 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Dec 2026 - 11 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
TLK South West (England), TLL Wales

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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