---
title: "RFI for provision of Terminal Ground staff & Train Driver Duties"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED"
published: "2026-05-15"
---

# RFI for provision of Terminal Ground staff & Train Driver Duties

Buyer: DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8

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## Summary

Direct Rail Services Limited is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process, titled "RFI for provision of Terminal Ground staff & Train Driver Duties". The purpose is to identify market capabilities for supplying competent personnel for rail services, specifically for Train Preparation, Shunting, Driver Operator duties at rail terminals, and hiring Mainline Train Drivers throughout the UK. This procurement falls under the services category, with industry classifications in support services for railway transport and supply of personnel. It occurs in various locations across the UK, with a key milestone of market engagement scheduled for 9th June 2026. Potential contracts are set to commence on 1st January 2027, lasting until 31st December 2028.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specializing in railway support services and personnel supply. Given its inclusive suitability for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), a wide range of businesses can participate. With a focus on baseline scope for ground staff duties and flexible hiring of train drivers, companies adept in staffing and logistical rail operations are well-suited to compete, potentially leading to long-term growth and collaboration with a sub-central government public authority like Direct Rail Services.

## Notice

To support our Intermodal rail services NTS is currently seeking to understand the capabilities of the market for the provision of competent personnel for the following requirements: * Competent personnel to perform ground staff duties covering Train Preparation, Shunting and Driver Operator duties at various rail terminals * Competent personnel ad-hoc hire of Mainline Train Driver duties throughout the UK.

### Planning Information

To support our Intermodal rail services NTS is currently seeking to understand the capabilities of the market for the provision of competent personnel for the following requirements:
• Competent personnel to perform ground staff duties covering Train Preparation, Shunting and Driver Operator duties at various rail terminals
• Competent personnel ad-hoc hire of Mainline Train Driver duties throughout the UK.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044897-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 |
| 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 | DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED |
| Locality | CARLISLE |
| Post town | Carlisle |
| Postcode | CA6 4SJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria |
| ITL 3 | TLD13 Cumberland |
| Local authority | Cumberland |
| Electoral ward | Dalston and Burgh |
| Westminster constituency | Carlisle |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 63711000 - Support services for railway transport
- 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

## Release History

- 15 May 2026 at 12:13 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044897-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044897-2026
  15th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.directrailservices.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-0699f8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699f8.json.