---
title: "Transaction Management System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "RAIL DELIVERY GROUP LIMITED"
published: "2026-01-22"
---

# Transaction Management System

Buyer: RAIL DELIVERY GROUP LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc.json)

## Summary

The procurement process involves a contract awarded by Rail Delivery Group Limited, operating from London, for a project titled "Transaction Management System" within the industry category of industry-specific software development services. The contract, valued at £1,429,917, provides critical bespoke software services for national rail operations on the existing ITSO smartcard infrastructure. The procurement follows a direct award method based on technical constraints, pivotal for maintaining continuity and supporting the transition to Great British Railways. The award status is pending, with a contract period commencing on 3rd February 2026 and concluding on 26th January 2028. The buyer, Rail Delivery Group Limited, classifies as a public undertaking, situated in the United Kingdom, under the utilities regime.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for companies equipped to handle sophisticated software development tasks in the rail industry. It suits large-scale firms with expertise in managing and maintaining complex software systems, especially those that have experience interacting with the existing proprietary architecture to avoid interchangeability issues. Technical expertise in seamless ITSO smartcard system integration, management, and reporting would be pivotal to succeed in such procurements. As the procurement process acknowledges technical constraints and seeks continuity until broader strategic requirements for Great British Railways are established, businesses with the capability to provide long-term, reliable software solutions are favourably positioned to compete effectively in this sector.

## Notice

RDG operates the Digital Ticketing Service (DTS), formerly known as Central Back Office (CBO) on behalf of the UK rail industry to support the provision of ITSO smartcard ticket services. Established in 2014, one of the key components of the CBO is the Transaction Management System (TMS) which is in its extension period and due for renewal. TMS is a bespoke system that was designed and developed specifically to meet the needs of National Rail. This included specific requirements for the combined management, reporting and control of multiple TOC ITSO (electronic smartcards) schemes, scheme interoperability and integration and reporting to a number of external systems. The TMS has subsequently been incrementally developed, maintained and operated by the same supplier, Colibri, to meet the changing requirements of the rail industry. RDG, via RSP, own the TMS Intellectual Property (IP) and code / system. This modification is a permitted modification under Section 74 and Paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 (Additional Goods, Services or Works) of the Procurement Act 2023. The contract provides bespoke software services critical to national rail operations. A change of supplier at this juncture cannot be made at this point in time for technical reasons because: (i) a new supplier would face significant interchangeability issues with the existing proprietary architecture; and (ii) it would result in a substantial duplication of costs for RDG. These technical constraints are compounded by the transition to Great British Railways (GBR). Procuring a replacement system now would cause significant inconvenience and disproportionate financial risk before the long-term strategic and technical requirements of GBR are established. The extension is strictly limited to a duration that ensures operational continuity until the GBR transition allows for a settled procurement strategy.

### Procurement Information

This modification is a permitted modification under Section 74(1)(a) and Paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 (Additional Goods, Services or Works) of the Procurement Act 2023. The modification provides for the continued supply of bespoke software services critical to national rail operations. A change of supplier is not possible because it would result in the provision of services that are incompatible with the existing proprietary architecture. RDG considers that this incompatibility would result in: Disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance during the critical transition to Great British Railways (GBR). Substantial duplication of costs, as a new procurement and implementation would be required for a system that may be sun setted once GBR's long-term technical requirements are finalised.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005577-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 22 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 3 Feb 2026 - 26 Jan 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,429,917 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | RAIL DELIVERY GROUP LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | Central London |
| Postcode | EC4V 3DS |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | City of London |
| Electoral ward | Castle Baynard |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | GCI NETWORK SOLUTIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services

## Release History

- 22 Jan 2026 at 09:23 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005577-2026
- 22 Jan 2026 at 09:10 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005571-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005577-2026
  22nd January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005571-2026
  22nd January 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nasstar.com
- 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-060bbc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060bbc.json.