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Security Services

Northern Trains Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Oct 2026 at 11:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited and TransPennine Trains Limited plan to procure a single-supplier integrated rail security service across their networks in northern England. The service would cover managed stations, onboard trains and other operational locations, combining Travel Safe Officers, station security and specialist counter-terrorism patrols. Work includes visible patrols, responding to incidents, enforcing Railway Byelaws, safeguarding passengers and staff, and intelligence-led protective security. The aims are to improve safety, deter crime and anti-social behaviour, meet railway and government security requirements, and provide a welcoming presence. The supplier would also provide the management, supervision, training, vehicles, uniforms, equipment, body-worn video, reporting systems and operational support needed to deliver the service, working with both operators, British Transport Police and other partners.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the operators have stated an intention to tender, but have not yet invited bids. They are undertaking voluntary early market engagement by email to shape the specification and commercial approach; suppliers can provide feedback by 14 October 2026. The formal tender is anticipated to begin in November 2026. The expected procurement is a single-supplier framework, with one lot. The estimated value is £19 million excluding VAT (£22.8 million including VAT). The planned contract period is 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2029, with a possible extension to 30 April 2031. The engagement invites views on specifications and accreditations, RSAS or equivalent accreditation, contract terms, pricing, commercial terms, key performance indicators and service-level agreements. No bid evaluation criteria are stated at this stage.

This will suit established security providers able to mobilise a substantial, flexible workforce across multiple rail operators, stations and train services. Suppliers should be prepared to combine frontline station and onboard patrols with specialist counter-terrorism capability, incident response, safeguarding and enforcement duties. The service model must adapt to changing risks, disruption, events, seasonal demand and urgent operational requirements. Strong operational management, supervision, staff training, suitable vehicles and equipment, body-worn video, and reliable reporting systems will be central to delivery. The operators are seeking supplier input on relevant accreditations, including whether businesses hold RSAS accreditation or an equivalent, as well as proposed service specifications and commercial arrangements. Experience of partnership working with rail operators, British Transport Police and other stakeholders, and the ability to report against performance measures and improve services using data, will be relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Security Services

Notice Description

Northern Trains Limited (NTL) and TransPennine Express (TPE) intends to go to market for the procurement of Security Services across their respective estates. The proposed procurement seeks to procure a single supplier to deliver an integrated rail security service across the NTL and TPE networks, combining Travel Safe Officer (TSO), Station Security and Counter Terrorism Patrol (CTP) services. The overarching objective is to enhance the safety and security of customers and colleagues, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, support compliance with railway and government security requirements, and provide a visible, customer focused security presence across stations and onboard services. The successful supplier will deliver a comprehensive security solution across a portfolio of managed stations and operational locations, providing proactive patrols, incident response, enforcement of Railway Byelaws, safeguarding support, and intelligence led security activity. The service will include dedicated Travel Safe Officers undertaking both station and train patrols, alongside specialist Counter Terrorism Patrol resources focused on protective security measures, threat deterrence and compliance with rail security obligations. A key requirement of the contract will be the ability to provide a flexible and responsive service model that can adapt to changing operational priorities across both operators. The supplier will be expected to support emerging security concerns, targeted interventions, seasonal demand changes, major incidents, rail disruption, special events and ad hoc operational requirements. In addition to frontline delivery, the supplier will provide all associated management, supervision, training, vehicles, uniforms, equipment, body-worn video, reporting systems and operational support required to deliver the service. The supplier will work collaboratively with NTL, TPE, the British Transport Police and other stakeholders to develop deployment plans and ensure security activities remain aligned to evolving risks and business needs throughout the contract term. Performance will be managed through a suite of key performance indicators covering operational delivery, resource availability, patrol completion, incident management, compliance, customer service and reporting. A strong emphasis will be placed on partnership working, continuous improvement, data-driven decision making and the ability to proactively identify and respond to emerging risks and opportunities for service enhancement. The procurement aims to establish a security partnership that delivers a safe, secure and welcoming environment for customers and colleagues while supporting the wider safety, security and customer experience objectives of both NTL and TPE.

Planning Information

Northern Trains Limited (NTL) and TransPennine Express (TPE) are preparing to undertake a procurement for a single supplier security framework contract and are seeking early market engagement with interested suppliers. NTL and TPE are inviting market feedback to help shape the upcoming tender process. We welcome input on key considerations and any expectations or suggestions suppliers would like us to take into account. As a suggestion, this might cover the following: • The proposed specification including relevant accreditations • If suppliers hold RSAS accreditation or equivalent • Contract Terms • Pricing Structure • Commercial Terms • Key Performance Indicators / Service Level Agreements Your insights will help us ensure the final tender reflects best practice and delivers value for money. It is anticipated that the formal tender process will commence in November 2026. Market engagement will be conducted via email only, there will be no virtual or in-person sessions. To express your interest in this opportunity and provide any feedback, please complete the below form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wz69qNgiEkm1e8kyWF_pfu42FE2iHF1KhrnWtTYk-iJUM0ZOUVdBMVFSQjk0Q0RFM1lJTDdWT0lRVi4u Or contact: Sarah Blake-Dent (sarah.blake-dent@northernrailway.co.uk) and Alison Bates (alison.bates@tpexpress.co.uk). Participation in this preliminary market engagement exercise is entirely voluntary. Suppliers who do not take part will not be excluded from the subsequent procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077e7f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092778-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75240000 - Public security, law and order services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£19,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 May 2027 - 30 Apr 2029 2-3 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
Northern Trains Limited
Additional Buyers

Transpennine Trains 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
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Postcode Area
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England)
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

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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