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RFI - Resilient Connectivity for Locomotive Operations

Direct Rail Services Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Oct 2026 at 13:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Direct Rail Services Limited is exploring resilient connectivity services to support locomotive operations for Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS). The work sits across internet connectivity, railway transport support and railway equipment. The engagement is intended to help NTS understand what the supply market can provide and how a future service could be packaged and delivered. It concerns connectivity that can support reliable locomotive operations; suppliers in rail communications, telecommunications and associated railway support services may find the subject relevant. The procurement is being developed by Direct Rail Services Limited, with NTS undertaking the market engagement. The planned service relates to locomotive operations, although no delivery locations are identified in the published scope.

This process is at the planning stage: the buyer has stated an intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. NTS is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform its procurement strategy, including contracting routes, scope packaging, commercial models, indicative whole-life costs and supplier appetite. The buyer’s stated estimated value is £500,000 excluding VAT (£600,000 including VAT). The anticipated contract period runs from 22 February 2027 to 21 February 2031. A future procurement notice is expected on 1 January 2027. This is a single-lot service requirement, identified as suitable for SMEs. The engagement is seeking market views rather than bids; suppliers are invited to respond to the request for information through the Atamis portal by 17 November 2026.

The engagement is a chance for suppliers to shape the future requirement before the procurement strategy is settled. NTS wants input from the market on available contracting routes, how the scope could be packaged, suitable commercial models, indicative whole-life costs and supplier appetite. This is likely to suit businesses with experience delivering resilient connectivity for rail or locomotive operations, including providers able to combine internet services with railway-specific support or equipment. SMEs are explicitly considered suitable for the planned single-lot requirement, so smaller specialist providers may be relevant alongside larger suppliers. The buyer has not set out technical standards, accreditations, capacity thresholds or evaluation criteria at this planning stage; the immediate commercial value is in helping NTS understand market capabilities and inform its future approach. No bid is being sought at this stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

RFI - Resilient Connectivity for Locomotive Operations

Notice Description

Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) is undertaking Pre-Market Engagement (PME) to inform its procurement strategy for resilient connectivity supporting locomotive operations. The primary purpose is to understand the supply market, available contracting routes, scope packaging, commercial models, indicative whole-life costs and supplier appetite for a future procurement. Please respond to the RFI via the Atamis portal: https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Planning Information

Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) is undertaking Pre-Market Engagement (PME) to inform its procurement strategy for resilient connectivity supporting locomotive operations. The primary purpose is to understand the supply market, available contracting routes, scope packaging, commercial models, indicative whole-life costs and supplier appetite for a future procurement. Please respond to the RFI via the Atamis portal: https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07913f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101562-2026
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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

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

CPV Codes

34940000 - Railway equipment

63711000 - Support services for railway transport

72400000 - Internet services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jan 20272 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Feb 2027 - 21 Feb 2031 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
Direct Rail Services 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA6 4SJ
Postcode Area
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Dalston and Burgh
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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