---
title: "Kone new escalator gearbox install"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065e77"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065e77"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065e77.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065e77.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED"
published: "2026-02-27"
---

# Kone new escalator gearbox install

Buyer: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065e77

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065e77)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065e77.json)

## Summary

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is proceeding with a direct award contract to KONE PLC for escalator gearbox replacements and associated modernisation across multiple high-risk stations in London, United Kingdom. The contract, valued at approximately £2.7 million, spans a 12-month period starting from 16 March 2026, following the intended award date on 11 March 2026. This procurement falls under the industry category of escalator installation work and is situated in the utilities special regime. As per the Procurement Act 2023, the process is devoid of competition, citing proprietary rights as justification. Network Rail operates as a public authority within central government, ensuring adherence to legal requirements under the UK's legislative framework.

This tender represents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in escalator installations and modernisation work. While KONE PLC, the Original Equipment Manufacturer, will conduct the initial retrofit, there is potential for third-party providers to participate in subsequent rounds once the OEM process is established. Companies capable of collaborating on complex engineering products and services in compliance with proprietary technology requirements stand to benefit. The auxiliary brake innovations present new avenues for involvement in developing safety-conformant installations, making this particularly appealing for firms with advanced technical expertise in escalator systems.

## Notice

Network Rail intends to directly award a contract to KONE PLC for the replacement of failing escalator gearboxes and delivery of associated modernisation works across several high risk stations. The anticipated contract value is PS2.7 million, with an anticipated contract duration of 12 months, and an intended award date of 11 March 2026. A direct award is justified under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, Paragraph 8(1) (technical/proprietary exclusivity), which permits direct award where "only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works because they have intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights and there are no reasonable alternatives." In this instance, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), KONE must carry out the initial retrofit works to implement the newly developed gearbox solution and establish the validated installation methodology; thereafter, third party providers may undertake future works once the OEM process and requirements are defined. Following an escalator incident in 2023, a significant safety risk was identified concerning certain gearbox units within Network Rail's escalator portfolio. In response, Network Rail will procure newly designed KONE gearboxes with a modified configuration, including an auxiliary brake, to enable safe retrofit across existing assets. The initial installations will be undertaken by the OEM to ensure full understanding of the new process, to confirm any additional engineering or safety requirements, and to develop a robust and repeatable methodology for subsequent works. In accordance with Section 90 of the Procurement Act 2023, Network Rail confirms that no discrimination against treaty state suppliers has occurred. The requirement is grounded solely in proprietary rights and the need for OEM led initial implementation consistent with the Schedule 5 justification.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017988-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £2,730,766 |
| 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 | 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | KONE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45313200 - Escalator installation work

## Release History

- 27 Feb 2026 at 14:33 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017988-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017988-2026
  27th February 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.kone.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-065e77. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065e77.json.