Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

GWR - Transport and Distribution Services (Including Courier and Heavy Haulage)

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

10 Sep 2026 at 07:59

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

First Greater Western Limited is procuring transport and distribution services for Great Western Railway and its successor rail operator, for use across the Great Western Railway network in the United Kingdom. The requirement is a closed, multi-supplier framework divided into three service areas. Lot 1 covers courier and light or medium freight distribution by road, including standard and high-priority goods, rail components, stores and documents, with time-critical and 24/7 response movements. Lot 2 covers road transport of complete or partial traction and rolling stock assemblies and components up to 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Lot 3 covers specialist heavy haulage and abnormal indivisible loads, including rail units exceeding standard road limits and requiring permits, route planning, escorts and specialist equipment. The main category is transport services.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure for a utilities framework. Submissions were due by 5 October 2026 at 23:59 BST, with award planned by 7 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Each lot has an estimated value of £666,666 excluding VAT (£799,999.20 including VAT) for Lots 1 and 2, and £666,668 excluding VAT (£800,001.60 including VAT) for Lot 3. The framework is scheduled from 7 December 2026 to 6 December 2028, with one or more extensions of up to two years, to a maximum date of 6 December 2030. Quality carries 60% and price 40%. Call-offs may use direct award or mini-competition, with no guaranteed volume or spend.

This opportunity suits courier, freight distribution, transport, heavy haulage and abnormal-load operators able to support railway operations. Lot 1 is relevant to firms with reliable standard and priority delivery networks, including round-the-clock response capability and experience moving rail components, stores and documents. Lot 2 suits operators with vehicles, handling arrangements and operational experience for major traction and rolling stock assemblies up to 44 tonnes. Lot 3 is aimed at specialist abnormal-load contractors able to manage permits, route planning, escorts, specialist lifting or transport equipment and movements exceeding normal road limits. The buyer identifies the framework as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate the technical capability, specialist expertise, accreditation, capacity and geographic coverage needed for particular call-offs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GWR - Transport and Distribution Services (Including Courier and Heavy Haulage)

Notice Description

This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway. That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of First Greater Western Limited, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme. Framework Overview: Great Western Railway (GWR) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework Agreement for the provision of Transport and Distribution Services, including Courier and Heavy Haulage Services (the "Framework"). The Framework is intended to provide GWR with a flexible and efficient mechanism for procuring such services throughout the Framework Term across GWR's network. The framework will be split into three Lots: Lot 1 - Courier and Freight Distribution Services Lot 2 - Transport and Distribution of Large or Heavy Traction and Rolling Stock Components (GVW <= 44 tonnes) Lot 3 - Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Indivisible Load Transport No guarantee is given as to the volume, frequency or value of Services to be procured under the Framework. Appointment to the Framework does not confer any exclusivity, minimum spend, minimum volume, minimum order, capacity reservation or other commitment and shall not oblige GWR to award any Call-Off Contract to any Framework Supplier.

Lot Information

Courier and Freight Distribution Services

Courier and light/medium freight distribution services by road for Standard and High-Priority Goods, including, but not limited to, Traction and Rolling Stock components, general stores and documentation, including time-critical and 24/7 response movements. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5345&Culture=en-GB

Renewal: This Framework Agreement may be extended by one or more periods of up to two (2) years.

Transport and Distribution of Large or Heavy Traction and Rolling Stock Components (GVW <= 44 tonnes)

Transport by road of complete or partial Traction and Rolling Stock major assemblies and components up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes, generally as Standard Priority, where Abnormal Indivisible Load regulations do not normally apply. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5362&Culture=en-GB

Renewal: This Framework Agreement may be extended by one or more periods of up to two (2) years.

Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Indivisible Load Transport

Specialist heavy haulage services for outsized Traction and Rolling Stock major assemblies, individual Power Cars, Carriages and Rail Units exceeding standard road limits, including Abnormal Indivisible Loads requiring specialist permits, planning, escorts and equipment. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5363&Culture=en-GB

Renewal: This Framework Agreement may be extended by one or more periods of up to two (2) years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f61d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085598-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

60200000 - Railway transport services

64120000 - Courier services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
5 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Dec 2026 - 6 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FIRST GREATER WESTERN 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
WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN1 1HL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085598-2026
    10th September 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • https://procurement.gwr.com/tenders/gwr-notices
    E-Procurement Portal: The Client is using Wax Digital (current e-procurement portal). The detail within Wax Digital applicable to this tender describes how the Procurement will be conducted, including details of the associated Procurement timetable, participation and award criteria and how to respond to this opportunity. Tenderers are strongly encouraged to read through each tab/section before preparing their submission. Tenderers are also encouraged to review all attachments published with this tender. Tenderers not allocated to this procurement already will need to contact GWR using the details within this notice to be attached and receive the full tender document set.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...