---
title: "Independent Assessor (AsBo, ApBo and DeBo) for the Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP)"
ocid: "ocds-kuma6s-145577"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-145577"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-145577.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-145577.json"
source: "Sell2Wales"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "TRANSPORT FOR WALES"
published: "2026-03-26"
---

# Independent Assessor (AsBo, ApBo and DeBo) for the Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP)

Buyer: TRANSPORT FOR WALES  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-kuma6s-145577

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## Summary

Transport for Wales has concluded the procurement process for an Independent Assessor to support the Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP), focusing on public transport infrastructure within the region UKL. The procurement stage has transitioned from "active" status during the initial tender announcement on 25 October 2024 to "complete" as of 26 March 2026, with contract signing on 26 June 2025. The initiative seeks to address projected passenger growth, improve station facilities, and enhance overall connectivity and user experience at Cardiff Central railway station. Businesses had until 25 November 2024 to submit electronic bids via eTenderwales, aligning with the project's procurement method of open procedure under the services category.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for growth among specialised independent verification service providers, particularly SMEs with expertise in compliance assessment, safety assurance, and rail project delivery. Ricardo Rail Limited, an SME, has been awarded the contract valued at £348,570, demonstrating potential for similarly scaled businesses to leverage unique industry qualifications and certification standards such as UKAS ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO 9001. The tender framework supports collaboration and participation in long-term projects that require expertise in the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation & Assessment, promoting an avenue for growth in safety and interoperability assurance work. Consortia are also considered suitable, providing further scope for partnership-driven business opportunities within the transport infrastructure sector.

## Notice

With a projected passenger growth of over 50% by 2043 means there is a need to upgrade the Cardiff Central railway station to meet the additional passenger demand whilst enhancing the passenger experience and integrating sustainable travel modes. Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP), led by Transport for Wales (TfW) on behalf of the Welsh Government, proposes a series of enhancements at the station to address the following drivers for change: - Alleviate congestion and improve capacity within the station. - Improve user experience and facilities. - Enhance interchange, connectivity, and resilience. The aim of this contract notice is to procure an independent assessment and verification services for CCEP.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The scope of this contract is to provide independent assessment and verification services for the Cardiff Central Enhancements Programme (CCEP). The CCEP project scope can be found in Annex 1. The project is managed and delivered by TfW, which is a company set up by Welsh Government to manage the transport infrastructure on behalf of the Welsh Government. In the context of this project, TfW is a third-party developer on Network Rail infrastructure. The project is governed through the TfW 'Plan of Works' (PoW) project lifecycle, which aligns with the Network Rail Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) project lifecycle as shown below: TfW Plan of Work (PoW) Stage A - Develop Output Requirements and Options Stage B - Options Development and Selection Stage C - Preliminary Design Stage D - Statutory Process Stage E - Detailed Design Stage F - Construct, Commission and Handover Stage G - Closeout Network Rail PACE Phase 1 - Strategic Development & Project Selection ES1 Phase 1 - Strategic Development & Project Selection ES2 Phase 1 - Strategic Development & Project Selection ES3 Phase 2 - Project Development & Design ES4 Phase 2 - Project Development & Design ES5 Phase 3 - Project Delivery ES6 Phase 4 - Project Close ES7 Phase 4 - Project Close ES8 The proposed works will be carried out in accordance with the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (as amended) (RIR) and the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation & Assessment (CSM-REA). The Supplier shall provide the following roles for the project: - Assessment Body (AsBo) to provide independent verification for compliance with CSM-REA; - Approved Body (ApBo) to provide independent verification for interoperability in accordance with the applicable National Technical Specifications Notifications (NTSNs) under the RIR; - Designated Body (DeBo) to provide independent verification for interoperability in accordance with the applicable National Technical Rules (NTRs) under the RIR. The above roles shall be undertaken by suitably qualified and competent personnel with prior experience providing similar roles on multi-disciplinary rail projects. System Safety Assurance Qualifications or equivalent required. The AsBo, ApBo, and DeBo shall support TfW in delivering the safety assessments and authorisation tasks to enable Entry into Service (EiS) and Authorisation for Placing into Service (APiS). The required safety assessment and authorisation tasks are specified in TfW's System Safety and Authorisation Strategy (document ref: TfW-ENG-PRO-ID00299). The system safety and authorisation approach to be followed throughout the project lifecycle is specified in the Cardiff Central Enhancements Programme System Safety and Authorisation Plan (document ref: W001147-TFW-00-REP-ESS-000003). The Tenderers will need to provide evidence on the following accreditation standards: - Accreditation Standards UKAS ISO/IEC 17020 (AsBo: Product Conformity Certification) - Accreditation Standards UKAS ISO/IEC 17065 (ApBo/DeBo: Inspection Body) - Accreditation Standards ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) The Tenderers will need to: - Work collaboratively with TfW to ensure a progressive assurance approach for all documents outlined in Volume 2 - Key dates - Key milestones - Working remotely as well as in person at the Pontypridd office or the Cardiff Central office (St. Patrick's House) ad-hoc

Renewal: Option to extend for up to 12 months

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Sell2Wales |
| Latest notice | https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=145577 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £600,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £348,570 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | TRANSPORT FOR WALES |
| Locality | PONTYPRIDD |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF37 4TH |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend |
| Local authority | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Electoral ward | Pontypridd Town |
| Westminster constituency | Pontypridd |
| Delivery location | TLL Wales |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | RICARDO RAIL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
- 71530000 - Construction consultancy services
- 72246000 - Systems consultancy services
- 79132000 - Certification services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services

## Release History

- 26 Mar 2026 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=145577
- 25 Oct 2024 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=145577

## Documents

- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT493648
  Independent Assessor (AsBo, ApBo and DeBo) for the Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP) - With a projected passenger growth of over 50% by 2043 means there is a need to upgrade the Cardiff Central railway station to meet the additional passenger demand whilst enhancing the passenger experience and integrating sustainable travel modes. Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP), led by Transport for Wales (TfW) on behalf of the Welsh Government, proposes a series of enhancements at the station to address the following drivers for change: - Alleviate congestion and improve capacity within the station. - Improve user experience and facilities. - Enhance interchange, connectivity, and resilience. The aim of this contract notice is to procure an independent assessment and verification services for CCEP.
- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR602353
  Independent Assessor (AsBo, ApBo and DeBo) for the Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP) - With a projected passenger growth of over 50% by 2043 means there is a need to upgrade the Cardiff Central railway station to meet the additional passenger demand whilst enhancing the passenger experience and integrating sustainable travel modes. Cardiff Central Enhancement Programme (CCEP), led by Transport for Wales (TfW) on behalf of the Welsh Government, proposes a series of enhancements at the station to address the following drivers for change: - Alleviate congestion and improve capacity within the station. - Improve user experience and facilities. - Enhance interchange, connectivity, and resilience. The aim of this contract notice is to procure an independent assessment and verification services for CCEP.

## Notice URLs

- http://tfw.wales
- https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-145577
- https://etenderwales.bravosolution.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-kuma6s-145577. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-145577.json.