---
title: "NU/1246-17 Rail Infastructure Investigation: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation."
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b5a822f3-6024-4527-90ec-36111a65253a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b5a822f3-6024-4527-90ec-36111a65253a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b5a822f3-6024-4527-90ec-36111a65253a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b5a822f3-6024-4527-90ec-36111a65253a.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY"
published: "2019-04-16"
---

# NU/1246-17 Rail Infastructure Investigation: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation.

Buyer: NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b5a822f3-6024-4527-90ec-36111a65253a

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## Summary

Newcastle University is seeking to procure services related to the rail infrastructure through a tender titled "NU/1246-17 Rail Infrastructure Investigation." This initiative falls under the services industry category, particularly focusing on business and management consultancy. The tender is currently in the Award stage, having been published on 16th April 2019. The contract commenced the same day and will run until 30th September 2019. The project aims to commercialise university research by supporting the establishment of a spin-out company that will improve inspection methods for Victorian railway structures in the North East region of the United Kingdom, with a contract value of £25,000.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in consultancy, particularly those with expertise in management skills and innovative technology. Companies specialising in non-destructive testing and inspection methods are particularly well-suited to compete, as the initiative intends to develop advanced solutions for inspecting civil engineering structures. Firms capable of collaborating with academic institutions or those already working in the rail and infrastructure sectors may find this tender aligns with their strategic growth objectives.

## Notice

Rail Infrastructure Investigation Limited (RIIL) is a proposed spinout from Durham's Department of Earth Sciences,The University of Sheffield's Department of Physics and St Mary's University, Twickenham, Department of Physics. It intends to conduct surveys of Victorian rail infrastructure and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is required to take full responsibility for all commercial aspects from "pre-spin-out" to fully-fledged company with revenues in the region PS10m -PS30m. RIIL will utilise novel IP and know-how from three universities; (Durham, Sheffield and Saint Mary's London), and a well-established Rail contractor. It will help Network Rail Ltd to more efficiently maintain their portfolio of 332 Victorian railway tunnels and 171 Victorian brick built viaducts. Current inspection methods require physically drilling into the structure to discover unseen "voids". RIIL will offer a non-destructive alternative to this inspection method. The equipment and methods are new to the rail environment. The first market for RIIL services is intended to be the UK Rail network. Additional markets such as mining, mine remediation and utilities (sewage and water) also exist. Additionally, if resolution can be improved, complicated structures, such as older buildings, could be surveyed for damage or faults. This potential market is currently not completely understood and addressing this will be a key task of the CEO. Sheffield, Durham and St Mary's University are currently collaborating in a joint research to develop a next generation, high TRL level instrument in Sheffield. This work will continue in parallel to the Northern Accelerator work and the CEO will be expected to collaborate with it in order to maximise the benefits to the future spinout company.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04cb9072-50d8-4e7e-9a47-0bf473939c38 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Apr 2019 |
| Submission deadline | 8 Mar 2019 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Apr 2019 |
| Contract period | 16 Apr 2019 - 30 Sep 2019 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £25,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £19,800 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 7RU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | DR CHRIS STEER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

## Release History

- 16 Apr 2019 at 09:02 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04cb9072-50d8-4e7e-9a47-0bf473939c38

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04cb9072-50d8-4e7e-9a47-0bf473939c38
  16th April 2019 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ncl.ac.uk

## Provenance

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