Award

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The recent procurement process involves ScotRail Trains Limited, which has chosen to extend its contract with Vix Technology for the provision of software and support services related to platform validators across ScotRail stations. This contract, classified under Railway Services, specifically covers the maintenance and software backing for approximately 700 validators that enable customer interactions via Smartcards. The procurement falls under the 'services' category and employs a 'limited' procurement method due to technical and intellectual property rights reserved by Vix Technology, the original supplier. The contract, already awarded and active as of 26 March 2026, will run until 31 March 2027 under a framework that disallows competition due to the unique interoperability and interchangeability requirements of the current system.

This procurement offers significant growth opportunities for businesses capable of developing or supporting similar technologies—especially those with existing capabilities in transport payment technologies and software maintenance. While the contract has been awarded without prior competition publication, companies with expertise in digital validation systems may still find indirect growth opportunities by collaborating or supplying ancillary services that complement Vix Technology's operations. Businesses positioned to innovate in hardware interoperability or develop supplementary technology to enhance customer interactions at transportation hubs may especially benefit from observing and learning from the integration and maintenance strategies employed by established players in this contract.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

Notice Description

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

Lot Information

Lot 1

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

Procurement Information

On the basis of the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulation 86 1(b)(i)(ii) which states that the contract may be modified without a new procurement to provide for additional works, supplies or services by the original contractor, irrespective of their value, that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i)cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement. Vix are the original supplier of the platform validators and therefore there is an absence of competition for intellectual property, exclusive rights and technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives with the capabilities to support and maintain the existing platform validators. Vix own the IP and exclusive rights within the back-office software which is fundamental to the functionality of the validators. Vix are in the best position to carry out maintenance and repair activities on their own product including possessing the qualified skills and processes, as well as having access to replacement parts as required. Attempting to appoint another supplier to carry out these activities is likely to result in additional costs for ScotRail in funding upskilling and development of processes for a new supplier and their personnel and an additional layer of cost in sourcing replacement parts from Vix through another supplier.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553454
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F6 - Contract Award Notice (Utilities)
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTRAIL 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
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 6HQ
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VIX TECHNOLOGY

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548732
    ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support - ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553454
    ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support - ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622-2026-04-08T00:00:00Z",
    "date": "2026-04-08T00:00:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "org-37",
            "name": "ScotRail Trains Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "ScotRail Trains Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UKM",
                "postalCode": "G2 6HQ"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "kathleen.gay@scotrail.co.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 3448110141",
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Railway services",
                        "scheme": "TED_CE_ACTIVITY"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "https://www.scotrail.co.uk/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-38",
            "name": "Vix Technology",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Vix Technology"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "141-145 Charles Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "G21 2QA"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "url": "http://"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-39",
            "name": "Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Glasgow"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "org-1",
            "name": "ScotRail Trains Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "ScotRail Trains Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UKM",
                "postalCode": "G2 6HQ"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@scotrail.co.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 3448110141",
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Railway Services",
                        "scheme": "TED_CE_ACTIVITY"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "Railway services",
                        "scheme": "TED_CE_ACTIVITY"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "https://www.scotrail.co.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-7",
            "name": "Vix Technology",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Vix Technology"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "141-145 Charles Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "G21 2QA"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "url": "http://"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-8",
            "name": "Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Glasgow"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "name": "ScotRail Trains Limited",
        "id": "org-1"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622",
        "title": "ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support",
        "description": "ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "50317000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "On the basis of the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulation 86 1(b)(i)(ii) which states that the contract may be modified without a new procurement to provide for additional works, supplies or services by the original contractor, irrespective of their value, that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i)cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement. Vix are the original supplier of the platform validators and therefore there is an absence of competition for intellectual property, exclusive rights and technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives with the capabilities to support and maintain the existing platform validators. Vix own the IP and exclusive rights within the back-office software which is fundamental to the functionality of the validators. Vix are in the best position to carry out maintenance and repair activities on their own product including possessing the qualified skills and processes, as well as having access to replacement parts as required. Attempting to appoint another supplier to carry out these activities is likely to result in additional costs for ScotRail in funding upskilling and development of processes for a new supplier and their personnel and an additional layer of cost in sourcing replacement parts from Vix through another supplier.",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "FEB548732",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support",
                "description": "ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548732",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553454",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support",
                "description": "ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553454",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.",
                "status": "complete",
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
                "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
            }
        ],
        "classification": {
            "id": "50317000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
        },
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0025",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        }
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622-1",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-38",
                    "name": "Vix Technology"
                },
                {
                    "id": "org-7",
                    "name": "Vix Technology"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622-1",
            "awardID": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622-1",
            "status": "active",
            "dateSigned": "2026-03-26T00:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "language": "EN",
    "description": "(SC Ref:828888)",
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000821622"
        }
    ],
    "noticetype": "OJEU - F6 - Contract Award Notice (Utilities)",
    "relatedProcesses": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "relationship": [
                "planning"
            ],
            "scheme": "EU-OJ",
            "identifier": "2026/S 000-009627"
        }
    ]
}