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Fortwilliam and York Road Train Wash Replacements

Translink

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Sep 2026 at 15:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Translink, through Northern Ireland Railways, is considering replacement train wash systems at two operational rail maintenance facilities in Belfast: Fortwilliam Train Care Facility and York Road Depot. The requirement covers the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of new systems, including a bi-directional system at Fortwilliam. It also includes removal of existing equipment, checking and adapting foundations, drainage, utilities, wash pads and plant rooms, and installing associated mechanical, electrical, control, compressed-air, safety, train-detection and operator-interface systems. The systems will support CAF Class 3000 and Class 4000 units, the existing Enterprise fleet and the future Stadler FLIRT Enterprise fleet. The wider requirement includes training, handover documentation, software licences, spare parts, warranties and technical support.

This procurement is at the planning stage and the buyer is conducting preliminary market engagement, not inviting tenders or quotations. Translink expects to publish a further notice on 1 November 2026. Interested suppliers are asked to register their interest and provide supporting information by 12:00 on 30 September 2026, including details relevant to a possible site visit. The anticipated procurement has one lot and an estimated value of £3.5 million excluding VAT, or £4.2 million including VAT. The planned contract period is from 2 February 2027 to 31 January 2032, with possible renewal or extension to 31 January 2035. The lot is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, and a framework agreement is indicated.

This will suit specialist train-wash manufacturers, systems integrators and rail engineering contractors able to deliver complete depot installations from design through commissioning. Suppliers should be prepared to work in live operational railway depots, coordinate with Translink, principal designers and specialist contractors, and maintain safe railway operations during construction. Relevant capability includes rail infrastructure and depot construction, mechanical and electrical installation, PLC-based controls, safety systems, train detection, compressed-air systems, testing, operator training and technical support. The buyer specifically wants evidence of supplying a similar solution to a customer with a comparable fleet size, around 53 train consists, within the previous three years. Suppliers should also be able to provide long-term spares, software, documentation, warranty and support arrangements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Fortwilliam and York Road Train Wash Replacements

Notice Description

Northern Ireland Railways Company Ltd (NI Railways) is seeking information from qualified and experienced suppliers for the design, manufacture, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of replacement Train Wash systems at two operational rail maintenance facilities in Belfast: Fortwilliam Train Care Facility and York Road Depot. The project will replace existing train wash systems that have reached the end of their operational life and no longer provide the required cleaning performance. The new installations will support current and future NI Railways rolling stock, including the forthcoming Stadler FLIRT Enterprise fleet. The anticipated scope of works will include, but is not limited to: Design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a new bi-directional Train Wash system at Fortwilliam Train Care Facility. Design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a new Train Wash system at York Road Depot. Decommissioning and removal of the existing Train Wash systems and associated equipment at both locations. Verification of existing foundations, drainage systems, utilities and structures to confirm suitability for reuse. Adaptation and preparation of existing wash pads and plant rooms to accommodate new equipment. Installation of associated mechanical, electrical, control and compressed air systems. Provision of PLC-based control systems, safety systems, train detection equipment and operator interfaces. Testing, commissioning, operator training and handover of the completed installations. Provision of documentation, manuals, software licences, spare parts support and warranty services. Ongoing technical support and spare parts availability for a minimum period of five years following installation. The Train Wash systems shall be capable of accommodating various NI Railways fleets including CAF Class 3000 and Class 4000 units, the existing Enterprise fleet and the future Stadler FLIRT Enterprise fleet. Works will be undertaken within live operational railway depots and may require suppliers to coordinate with Translink representatives, Principal Designers and specialist contractors while maintaining safe railway operations throughout delivery and installation. Suppliers should demonstrate relevant experience in rail infrastructure, depot-based construction activities, mechanical and electrical installations, and safe working within operational railway environments.

Planning Information

NI Railways intends to undertake preliminary market engagement to better understand supplier capability, procurement routes, innovation opportunities, sustainability measures and delivery approaches associated with modern Train Wash systems and related depot infrastructure works. Suppliers must also be able to demonstrate that they have supplied a similar solution to customers with a similar fleet size (c. 53 train consists) within the last 3 years. Interested suppliers are requested to e-mail their contact details and relevant supporting information demonstrating their ability to meet requirements and or requests for a site visit NO LATER THAN 12.00 hrs on Wednesday, 30th September 2026 to: Procurement@translink.co.uk Suppliers registering their interest in participating in this exercise should note that: This Notice is to initiate a market engagement and information gathering exercise and does not indicate the start of a procurement exercise. It is instead intended to act as an informal market research document providing a brief synopsis of Translink’s future requirements. This document is not intended to provide a definitive list of requirements We invite interested suppliers to register their interest and to provide details of Train Wash solutions each can offer to Translink. This document is not a tender specification nor request for quotation. Translink is merely investigating market opportunities at this stage without entering into any contractual or financial commitments. Any documents, discussions, presentations, demonstrations, or clarifications submitted for this Market Research will not be considered as any part of the tender exercise. If Translink does decide to proceed with a competitive tender process, a separate detailed tender specification document will be produced as part of that process. Nothing in this document or any other documents/information provided by Translink or any of its advisers or agents is to be construed as implying a commitment by Translink to place any Contract, now or in the future with any participating supplier in respect of the requirement under consideration. Translink takes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken, costs incurred, or commitments made by interested parties in responding to this notice or by being involved in any subsequent discussions in this market engagement and information gathering exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f971
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087004-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

34940000 - Railway equipment

42716110 - Washing equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2032 4-5 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
Translink
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT2 7LX
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN06 Belfast
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

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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