--- title: "Insulated Rail Joints & Rail Ancillaries" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065b10" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065b10" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065b10.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065b10.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED" published: "2026-02-24" --- # Insulated Rail Joints & Rail Ancillaries Buyer: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065b10 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065b10) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065b10.json) ## Summary Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, a public authority in central government, is currently in the planning stage for the procurement of Insulated Rail Joints and Rail Ancillaries, with a focus on engaging the market to assess supplier interest, capability, and capacity. Located in London, the procurement process is primarily concerned with goods that fulfil operational and maintenance requirements. This preliminary engagement exercise aims to gather detailed information by 17:00 on 17 March 2026, allowing suppliers to present technical capabilities, compliance status, and delivery feasibilities. The industry category includes rails and track accessories, targeting suppliers within the UK and beyond. This tender offers substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for manufacturers with technical expertise in rail systems and the capacity to deliver goods in various configurations within tight time constraints. Businesses well-suited for this opportunity range from established suppliers to innovative new entrants and those ready to support Network Rail's Product Acceptance process. Engaging in this preliminary information-gathering stage allows businesses to influence future procurement strategy and contribute to nationwide delivery considerations, positioning themselves favourably for subsequent competitive tendering processes under the utilities special regime. Non-participation does not preclude future involvement, making this a preparatory step towards securing supply chain opportunities with Network Rail. ## Notice Network Rail is undertaking market research to assess the current level of industry interest, capability and capacity for the manufacture and supply of Insulated Rail Joints (IRJs) and Rail Ancillaries (Closure Rails). These goods will be required to be manufactured to specified standards, supplied in varying lengths and configurations, and delivered to meet both planned and emergency operational requirements. The Information Document available via Bravo provides full details of the requirement, including: * Background to the requirement and the operational context * Technical specifications for all IRJ and Closure Rail types * Applicable rail profiles, joint configurations and manufacturing processes * Anticipated monthly and annual volumes based on historic demand * Expected lead times, including short-notice and emergency supply requirements * Compliance obligations, including relevant Network Rail standards, drawings and Product Acceptance requirements * Preferred site location considerations to support same-day and nationwide delivery capability The following supporting documents will be made available as part of the engagement: * Network Rail Technical Specification for the Design, Assembly and Testing of Glued Insulated Rail Joints (November 2025) * Standards: - RT/CE/S/023 Insulated Rail Joints - RT/CE/S/050 Process for Cold-Expanding New Fishbolt Holes by the Split Sleeve Method (NR/SP/TRK/050) - NR/L3/TRK/4004 Switch and Crossing Assemblies * RE/PW Drawings: - RE/PW/624 (Twisted Closure Rails) - RE/PW/549 (95RBH) - RE/PW/792 (CEN56E1) - RE/PW/979 (CEN60E2) * NR/L2/TRK/2049 Track Design Handbook Product Acceptance (PA) is required before supply may commence. PA activities may form part of mobilisation, and the contract will not move into delivery until PA is fully approved by Network Rail. Suppliers will be expected to support the PA process by providing the necessary technical documentation, evidence and sample materials as required. Suppliers are invited to review the Information Document and complete the questionnaire within the PQQ. The information gathered will help Network Rail understand current market capability, production capacity, compliance readiness and the ability to meet the supply requirements for IRJs and Closure Rails. This market engagement is issued for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition, nor does participation or non-participation affect eligibility for any future procurement opportunity. ### Planning Information Network Rail is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand current market interest, capability, and capacity for the manufacture and supply of Insulated Rail Joints (IRJs) and Rail Ancillaries (Closure Rails). These goods will be required to be manufactured to specified standards, supplied in varying lengths and configurations, and delivered to meet both planned and emergency operational requirements. This engagement aims to gather information from suppliers who have the technical capability, production capacity, and supply-chain readiness to support Network Rail’s ongoing operational and maintenance requirements. The Information Document provides detailed information regarding: • Background to the requirement • Technical specifications for IRJs and Closure Rails • Applicable rail types, joint types, and manufacturing processes • Anticipated monthly and annual volumes • Lead time expectations, including emergency call‑off requirements • Compliance obligations, standards, drawings and Product Acceptance processes • Preferred site location considerations to support nationwide delivery The following supporting documents will be made available as part of the engagement: • Network Rail Technical Specification for the Design, Assembly and Testing of Glued Insulated Rail Joints (November 2025) • Standards: – RT/CE/S/023 Insulated Rail Joints – RT/CE/S/050 Process for Cold‑Expanding New Fishbolt Holes by the Split Sleeve Method (NR/SP/TRK/050) – NR/L3/TRK/4004 Switch and Crossing Assemblies • RE/PW Drawings: – RE/PW/624 (Twisted Closure Rails) – RE/PW/549 (95RBH) – RE/PW/792 (CEN56E1) – RE/PW/979 (CEN60E2) • NR/L2/TRK/2049 Track Design Handbook Product Acceptance (PA) is required before supply may commence. PA activities may form part of mobilisation, and the contract will not move into delivery until PA is fully approved by Network Rail. Suppliers will be expected to support the PA process by providing the necessary technical documentation, evidence and sample materials as required. Suppliers are invited to review the Information Document and complete the questionnaire available within the PQQ. Responses will be used for information‑gathering purposes only and will help Network Rail assess market maturity, capability and potential capacity ahead of any future procurement activity. This engagement does not constitute a call for competition. During the engagement window, suppliers may submit clarification questions using the correspondence function within Bravo. All clarification responses will be issued through the portal to ensure fairness and transparency. There are currently no scheduled in‑person or virtual engagement events. However, Network Rail may hold additional sessions depending on supplier interest or the need for further technical discussion. Instructions for suppliers: - Access, download and review the Information Document and Questionnaire via the Bravo portal: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk under ‘Current Opportunities’. - Submit clarification questions through the Bravo correspondence function before the clarification deadline. - Complete and return the questionnaire by 17:00 on the engagement deadline date. - Ensure responses provide accurate information relating to capability, capacity, compliance status and delivery feasibility. Network Rail welcomes participation from all interested suppliers, including established manufacturers, innovators and potential new entrants to the market. Responses received will inform future strategy and ensure the supply chain is well positioned for potential forthcoming opportunities. Non‑participation in this market engagement will not preclude any organisation from taking part in future procurement processes. Should a formal procurement exercise be launched, Network Rail will publish a tender notice as a call for competition. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016487-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 19 Jun 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South East London | | Postcode | SE1 8SW | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI45 Lambeth | | Local authority | Lambeth | | Electoral ward | Waterloo & South Bank | | Westminster constituency | Vauxhall and Camberwell Green | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation ### Codes - 34941000 - Rails and accessories - 34941200 - Track rails - 34946110 - Rails ## Release History - 24 Feb 2026 at 13:57 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016487-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016487-2026 24th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.networkrail.co.uk/ ## 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-065b10. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065b10.json.