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Rail-based ultrasonic testing capability

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 Sep 2026 at 12:48

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is planning to procure a rail-based ultrasonic testing capability. The service will supplement the organisation’s existing Ultrasonic Testing Units (UTUs), providing additional capacity for rail inspection and testing. It will be deployed across Network Rail’s routes and regions according to local demand and operational planning. This is a railway-track maintenance service, classified under CPV 50225000, rather than a supply-only purchase of testing equipment. The requirement is relevant to businesses that provide rail-based ultrasonic inspection services and can support testing activity across a geographically distributed railway network. The contracting authority is Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a central government public authority operating in the utilities sector.

This procurement is at the planning stage: Network Rail has set out an intention to procure, but this record does not invite tenders. The tender is planned as a services procurement under the utilities regime, with one planned requirement covering the testing capability. The buyer’s indicative expectation is that the next notice will be published on 1 October 2026. The anticipated contract period is from 15 November 2026 to 10 November 2029. The service will be called on across routes and regions according to local demand and planning. The process is not yet at the bidding stage, and suppliers should treat the dates as the buyer’s current expectations rather than response deadlines.

The requirement should suit suppliers with an established rail-based ultrasonic testing capability, particularly those able to provide inspection services that complement existing Ultrasonic Testing Units. Businesses will need to understand the practical demands of railway-track testing and be able to deploy services across multiple routes and regions as demand arises. The requirement may suit both small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, as the buyer has identified both as suitable categories of supplier. Providers with operational reach, flexible mobilisation arrangements and experience delivering testing services in a railway environment are likely to be well placed to prepare for the later market opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Rail-based ultrasonic testing capability

Notice Description

The requirement is for a rail-based ultrasonic testing capability designed to supplement existing Ultrasonic Testing Units (UTUs). The service will be deployed across all Routes and Regions, based on local demand and planning.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f368
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084372-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50225000 - Railway-track maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Nov 2026 - 10 Nov 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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