--- title: "GWR - Provision of Freight Operating Company (FOC) Drivers, Person in Charge (PIC) and Shunters to support GWR in delivering passenger mitigations during planned perturbation." ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED" published: "2026-05-01" --- # GWR - Provision of Freight Operating Company (FOC) Drivers, Person in Charge (PIC) and Shunters to support GWR in delivering passenger mitigations during planned perturbation. Buyer: FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c.json) ## Summary FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED, operating as a buyer, has initiated a tender for providing Freight Operating Company (FOC) Drivers, Person in Charge (PIC), and Shunters to support Great Western Railway (GWR) in delivering passenger mitigations during planned perturbations. This active procurement focuses on the industry category of railway transport services and is structured into multiple lots, allowing bids on individual or grouped lots. The open procurement method utilises a competitive and flexible procedure, with key stages including an Expression of Interest (EOI) and a tender period set to conclude on 10th June 2026. Interested parties must adhere to specified submission terms, with certain allowances for electronic submissions and bids presented in English only. The procurement's legal basis is under UKPGA 2023/54, indicating an adherence to current UK legislative standards, and provides an estimated contract value of £16,000,000. The contract spans several strategic locations across the UK, with a deadline for clarifications set for 26th May 2026. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in railway transport services, particularly those with capabilities in supply chain logistics and personnel management for rail operations. Companies experienced in railway operations, including electric and hybrid locomotives, passenger diversions, and depot strategy services will find this procurement particularly appealing. The procurement offers the added opportunity for joint ventures, where businesses can collaborate to cover broad service areas efficiently. With the procurement structured to allow flexibility in bid submissions and multiple lot selections, companies that demonstrate technical proficiency and commercial competitiveness stand a strong chance of securing contracts that will not only support GWR's operational requirements but also enhance their service portfolio and market presence in the rail transport sector. ## Notice The tender will be split into separate lots, those submitting bids, can bid on individual lots, all lots and can also submit a bid against lot/s as a joint venture. Any joint submissions must clearly define which operator is doing what. No sub-contracting is permitted once relevant contract has been awarded. An overview is provided below of all the requirements and how the bids will be divided into sections. The lots have been divided into 7 categories: - Lot 1 - Passenger Diversions (80x and Night Riviera (cl.57 and Mk3 coaches)) and associated Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) moves to/from LNP via WLL, via GWML & South West Sidings (SWS), and Reading Train Care Depot (RTCD). - Lot 2 - Electric/hybrid loco plus Driver (with 1000v Electric Train Supply (ETS)) - Lot 3 - London North Pole 387s/Heathrow Express (HEx) units - Lot 4 - Fairwater Yard - Didcot Railway Centre - Lot 5 - South Marston and High Output Operations Base (HOOB) (if required) - Lot 6 - Didcot Railway Centre (DRC) - Lot 7 - Reading Upper Triangle To have a pool of trained Drivers and PICs to deliver GWR passenger diversions and GWR Depot Strategy when required. There will be a requirement to maintain competency, for Drivers and PICs on all applicable routes, traction and locations. A variation will then be issued for each possession where there is a requirement for Depot Strategy (only applicable locations) and/or passenger diversions and for what duration. ### Lot Information Passenger Diversions Passenger Diversions (80x and Night Riviera (cl.57 and Mk3 coaches)) and associated Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) moves to/from LNP via WLL, via GWML & South West Sidings (SWS), and Reading Train Care Depot (RTCD). Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. Electric/hybrid loco plus Driver Electric/hybrid loco plus Driver (with 1000v Electric Train Supply (ETS)) Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. 387s/Heathrow Express (HEx) units London North Pole 387s/Heathrow Express (HEx) units Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. Fairwater Yard Fairwater Yard PIC and FOC Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. South Marston & HOOB South Marston and High Output Operations Base (HOOB) (if required) Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. Didcot Railway Didcot Railway Centre (DRC) Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. Reading Upper Triangle Reading Upper Triangle - Please see specification document Renewal: Each contract will include the option for four separate extension periods of 12 months each, exercisable at Great Western Railway's (GWR) discretion. All stated volumes are indicative only and remain subject to the operational requirements of the railway industry. GWR reserves the right to adjust, reallocate, or redistribute values across any of the lots in line with business needs and demand throughout the contract term. ### Planning Information This Preliminary Market Engagement exercise is being conducted ahead of any potential formal procurement process and does not constitute a pre-qualification or tendering exercise. The outcomes are intended to inform business cases and the development of the tender documentation if a procurement takes place in the future. Any interested parties should follow the instructions on the portal to register interest by Friday 03 October 2025. Interested parties will be required to sign and return a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to any engagement. The NDA will ensure fair and effective competition in the preparation and conduct of the tender competition and is in the interests of achieving best value for the taxpayer. Following receipt of registered interest and a signed NDA, suppliers will be invited to attend an in-person supplier event and will be provided with initial questions relating to the multi-procurement of services. A response to these initial questions will be required prior to the supplier event. Further details on the project will be provided during the supplier event along with the procurement approach and timescales. The supplier event will take place on Friday 10 October 2025 at GWR headquarters in Swindon. The event will be limited to three (3) persons only per supplier. Following the supplier event, a set of technical and commercial questions will be provided to the registered suppliers, and a response will be requested to these within 10 working days following receipt. Further consultation may be sought with some or all interested parties using one-to-one meetings either virtually or in person. This will provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask further questions and for GWR and other involved operators to obtain input from the market on key areas to help develop specifications and the contract documents. It is anticipated that these meeting will take place Friday 10 Oct 2025. Any costs of participation in the market engagement events will be borne by the participant. Please follow the following link to Express your interest, and gain access to the Non Disclosure Agreement, which needs to be completed by 3rd of Oct 2025. http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/td0cW ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040705-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 1 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 10 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 7 Nov 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £16,000,000 | | Lots value | £16,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED | | Locality | WILTSHIRE | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN1 1HL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Central | | Westminster constituency | Swindon South | | Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60200000 - Railway transport services ## Release History - 1 May 2026 at 15:30 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040705-2026 - 23 Sep 2025 at 14:40 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058974-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040705-2026 1st May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058974-2025 23rd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5189&Culture=en-GB ## Notice URLs - http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/td0cW - https://procurement.gwr.com/tenders/12-tenders/gwr-notice/108-foc-pic - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a05c.json.