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1073434028 T1427 Strategy for Harmonising Automatic Current Limitation Across Electric Rolling Stock in GB

RSSB

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

13 Oct 2026 at 13:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) is commissioning research services to develop the evidence needed to harmonise automatic current limitation (ACL) across electric rolling stock operating on the Great Britain rail network. The work must confirm and refine the proposed target state, based on BS EN 50388-1:2022 without the UK-specific Umin2 requirement, while assessing technical feasibility and economic viability. It must also examine wider system effects and quantify benefits, costs and risks. The research is to define a route from current arrangements to the target state, covering achievable and justified changes to existing trains, ACL requirements for future trains, the role and deployment of dual trains, and the phasing of the transition. Delivery is for the GB network; the buyer is RSSB.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure. The procurement is a single lot, with an estimated value of £180,000 excluding VAT (£216,000 including VAT). The buyer set 30 October 2026 at 12:00 for enquiries and 16 November 2026 at 12:00 for submissions. The contract period is 14 December 2026 to 18 May 2027, with an award decision scheduled by 30 November 2026. Evaluation allocates 30% to understanding and methodology, 30% to expertise and planning, 20% to risks, opportunities and engagement, and 20% to project cost. Submissions are in English and may be made electronically. The research specification calls for a detailed assessment of the target state and a practicable transition pathway, including technical, economic and wider system considerations.

This opportunity suits research consultancies and specialist teams with strong expertise in railway electrification, electric rolling stock and automatic current limitation. Suppliers will need to assess how changes to ACL characteristics affect both existing and future trains, and understand the technical and economic constraints on implementation across a rail network. Relevant experience in railway standards, system-level impact assessment, cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment and transition planning would support a credible response. The scope also calls for consideration of dual trains and phased deployment, so bidders should be able to connect engineering analysis with operational planning and engagement. RSSB marks the opportunity as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The assessment places equal emphasis on understanding and method, and on expertise and planning, alongside risk and engagement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

1073434028 T1427 Strategy for Harmonising Automatic Current Limitation Across Electric Rolling Stock in GB

Notice Description

This research seeks to develop the evidence base required to inform the transition towards harmonised ACL characteristics across rolling stock operating on the GB network. It will confirm and refine the previously proposed target state for ACL harmonisation (that is BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV)), fully accounting for technical feasibility and economic viability, and develop a detailed pathway from current to target state for existing and future rolling stock. Specifically, the research will address the following objectives: 1.Confirm and detail the target state for ACL harmonisation and the rationale for its adoption: this includes accounting for wider system consequences and trade-offs, quantified associated benefits, costs and risks. 2.Define a transition pathway from current to target state: this includes specifying the ACL changes that are technically achievable and economically justified for existing rolling stock, the ACL requirements for future rolling stock, the role and deployment of dual trains, and the phasing required to reach the target state. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./E6E28TZ9KW To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E6E28TZ9KW

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078687
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096546-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Dec 2026 - 18 May 2027 1-6 months
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
RSSB
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
EC3M 5AD
Postcode Area
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Aldgate
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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