Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Train Planning Systems Replacement RFI2

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Sep 2026 at 16:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Western Railway Limited is exploring replacement train-planning systems for use across the United Kingdom. The requirement is for specialist software and related services covering the creation, editing, integration and validation of train schedules, rolling-stock diagrams and traincrew diagrams. Systems should support intuitive planning interfaces, visualisation and timetable datasets across long-term, short-term and very short-term planning horizons. The scope also includes secure integration with Network Rail and South Western Railway’s operational, rostering, optimisation and business platforms, using industry-standard data formats and APIs. Other requirements include automated checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot standards, together with secure data exchange, auditability and reporting. Indicative commercial models are also sought. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender. South Western Railway expects to conduct further preliminary market engagement through a second Request for Information, focused on testing mobilisation timescales. An earlier RFI was issued in January 2026 and responses have been reviewed; the buyer says no engagement events have yet taken place. The planned engagement milestone is due by 1 December 2026, and a subsequent notice is expected on 1 April 2027. The anticipated contract period is from 31 December 2028 to 31 December 2031. The procurement is for services under the utilities regime and is expected to be above the relevant threshold. One lot is planned, with the procurement method and evaluation approach to be developed as the requirement progresses.

This will suit suppliers of rail-specific train-planning platforms, transport software, custom software development and software-related services. Businesses should be able to demonstrate systems that handle complex timetable, rolling-stock and traincrew planning, with strong visualisation and user interfaces across multiple planning horizons. Relevant preparation should include secure, reliable integration with Network Rail and wider operational, rostering, optimisation and business systems through standard data formats and APIs. Useful capabilities include automated validation against railway operating rules, train formations, mileage limits, route and traction knowledge, and depot requirements. Suppliers should also be ready to explain audit trails, reporting, secure data exchange and workable commercial and mobilisation models. The planned lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist technology firms may wish to engage early and shape the emerging requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Train Planning Systems Replacement RFI2

Notice Description

South Western Railway (SWR) will be seeking information from the market regarding Train Planning Systems capable of supporting the creation, editing, integration, and validation of train schedules, rolling stock diagrams, and traincrew diagrams. The requirement covers systems that provide intuitive planning interfaces, comprehensive visualisation tools, and the ability to manage date-bound timetable datasets across long-term, short-term, and very short-term planning horizons. The scope includes solutions that can integrate securely and efficiently with Network Rail systems and SWR's operational, rostering, optimisation, and business platforms, using industry-standard data formats and APIs. Suppliers are also invited to provide information on systems that support automated validation of rolling stock and traincrew diagrams, including checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot-specific standards. SWR is additionally seeking insight into system capabilities for secure data exchange, auditability, and reporting, as well as indicative commercial models associated with delivering these functionalities.

Planning Information

SWR004570 - Train Planning Systems Replacement The link that enable suppliers to view the documents and respond to this RFI has been added: https://swrl.medius-s2c.com/S2C/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ListEvents.aspx?ApplicationInstanceID=27adc89e-0cb2-4b51-9bc1-34061f10156f SWR published an initial RFI to test market interest and it is now issuing a second RFI to test mobilisation timescales. No events have taken place, only the review of responses provided by suppliers in the first RFI round. RFI1 was issued on January 2026: South Western Railway (SWR) will undertake preliminary market engagement to gather information from suppliers capable of providing a modern Train Planning System. The scope of this engagement covers system capabilities including schedule creation, rolling stock and traincrew diagramming, user interface design, system integration, secure data exchange, automated validation, and associated commercial models. The engagement will be conducted remotely through the publication of a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI will be published on 19 January on Find a Tender and will remain open for responses until 19 February, providing a one month window for suppliers to review the materials and submit their responses. No in‑person events are currently planned; however, should SWR schedule any virtual briefings or supplier sessions, details will be shared with suppliers who have expressed interest.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088890-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

72230000 - Custom software development services

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 20277 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2028 - 31 Dec 2031 3-4 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
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY 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 9LQ
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)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Further Information

Notice Documents

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...