---
title: "Network Expansion: Rolling Stock Feasibility Study"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06f457"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06f457"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f457.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f457.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Liverpool City Region Combined Authority"
published: "2026-09-08"
---

# Network Expansion: Rolling Stock Feasibility Study

Buyer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06f457

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## Summary

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority commissioned feasibility studies for the potential expansion of the Merseyrail network using modified Class 777 independently powered electric multiple units. The work covers four technical areas: overhead DC charging, alternative battery-charging arrangements, installing onboard toilets, and manufacturing additional units or converting existing Class 777 electric multiple units into battery-powered trains. The studies are intended to assess operation on possible extensions beyond the current network, including routes without third-rail electrification and routes involving longer journeys. This is a specialist rail engineering and rolling-stock consultancy requirement, covering rolling stock and engineering studies (CPV 34620000 and 71335000). Delivery is in the United Kingdom, for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded through a direct award to STADLER RAIL SERVICE UK LIMITED, with the award described as being to Stadler Rail Schweiz AG. The award value is £372,000 excluding VAT and £446,400 including VAT. The award was published on 8 September 2026. The contract period runs from 9 October 2026 to 7 April 2027, with signature scheduled for 8 October 2026. There is one completed lot. The authority relied on section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 and Schedule 5, paragraphs 5 and 6, citing proprietary Class 777 design, systems integration, change control, authorisation evidence, and manufacturer-controlled technical information. The stated basis was a single supplier for technical reasons.

This requirement demonstrates demand for suppliers able to undertake manufacturer-level feasibility and systems-engineering work on battery and independently powered passenger trains. A credible competitor for a future comparable requirement would need experience modifying or assessing rolling stock platforms, including battery systems, overhead charging and alternative charging arrangements. It would also need competence in integrating new equipment with existing train architecture, evaluating passenger facilities such as onboard toilets, and assessing the manufacture of new units or conversion of existing electric multiple units. Strong evidence of design authority, proprietary technical knowledge, configuration and change control, safety assurance, and railway authorisation capability would be important. The buyer’s stated rationale indicates that access to manufacturer-specific information and responsibility for system integration were decisive, so suppliers without equivalent platform access or established rail assurance arrangements would be poorly placed.

## Notice

The Authority intends to directly award a contract to Stadler Rail Schweiz AG to undertake 4 feasibility studies into modifications to the Class 777 Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU), supporting the potential future expansion of the Merseyrail network. The proposed modifications are intended to enable Class 777 IPEMUs to operate effectively on potential extensions beyond the existing Merseyrail network, including routes without third-rail electrification and routes involving longer journey times. 1The feasibility work will examine overhead DC charging, alternative battery-charging arrangements, the installation of onboard toilets and the manufacture of additional IPEMUs or conversion of existing Class 777 EMUs into battery-powered units.

### Procurement Information

A direct award to Stadler Rail Schweiz AG under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 relying on Schedule 5, paragraphs 5 and 6. The requirement is inseparable from the Class 777 platform's proprietary design, systems integration, change control and authorisation evidence. Stadler's involvement essential as the Supplier controls manufacturer-specific design and technical information.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084795-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency 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 | 8 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 9 Oct 2026 - 7 Apr 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £372,000 |
| 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 | Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |
| Locality | LIVERPOOL |
| Postcode area | Liverpool |
| Postcode | L3 1BP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside |
| ITL 3 | TLD72 Liverpool |
| Local authority | Liverpool |
| Electoral ward | Waterfront South |
| Westminster constituency | Liverpool Riverside |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Stadler Rail Service UK Limited |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 34620000 - Rolling stock
- 71335000 - Engineering studies

## Release History

- 8 Sep 2026 at 11:32 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084795-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084795-2026
  8th September 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.stadlerrail.com/en/

## 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-06f457. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f457.json.