Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Waterloo General Offices
London
SE1 8SW
Josh.McBride@networkrail.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1908781000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
45,000,000
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71631470 - Railway-track inspection services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Network Rail has awarded national Framework Agreements for the provision of Track Bed Investigations for England & Wales, and for Scotland.
The framework scope includes standard and deep track bed investigations, concrete coring and various drainage surveys, which are used for the design and specification of the trackbed for track renewals.
The framework is specific to the Engineering Services Design Delivery function in Network Rail. The workbank comes from client teams in the Network Rail regions who will call-off from the framework when track bed investigations are required.
Due to the work-related nature of these activities, the framework terms & conditions are based on the NR29 Framework Contract for Network Rail Amended NEC4 Engineering and Construction Short Contract.
The framework will run for an initial period of five years, and Network Rail will have the option to extend for two further one-year periods, providing the flexibility for a five, six or seven year framework duration.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £45,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Track Bed Investigation Framework - England & Wales
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 71631470 - Railway-track inspection services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
Main site or place of performance
Railway track sites in England & Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The specification for the Track Bed Investigation Framework covers the following track bed investigation and associated works, and site & factual reporting which are to be provided for track sites in England & Wales:
Standard Track Bed Investigation:
• Determining the condition of the existing track bed and sub-grade
• Assessing the condition of the existing lineside drainage.
• Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) to determine the soil structural properties.
• Trial trenches to determine drainage paths and lateral variation of track bed materials.
• Categorising of Spent Ballast for disposal
• Measuring structural constraints (clearances) to support the construction phase and compliance with COM Regulations 2015 (Design Risk Register) to determine construction risks and mitigations.
Deep Track Bed Investigation
• Deeper window sampling and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) using heavy probing techniques for investigating Track Bed Stabilisation sites.
Additional Works and Other Investigation Techniques
• Stiffness Measurement surveys using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), and Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD).
• Drainage level surveys/topographical surveys to support the design track of drainage systems.
• Concrete coring of slab track or other associated foundations
• Material testing
• Rail and sleeper deflection monitoring using cameras, Geophones or similar.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Track Bed Investigation Framework - Scotland's Railway
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 71631470 - Railway-track inspection services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Railway track sites in Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The specification for the Track Bed Investigation Framework covers the following track bed investigation and associated works, and site & factual reporting which are provided in Scotland:
Standard Track Bed Investigation:
• Determining the condition of the existing track bed and sub-grade
• Assessing the condition of the existing lineside drainage.
• Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) to determine the soil structural properties.
• Trial trenches to determine drainage paths and lateral variation of track bed materials.
• Categorising of Spent Ballast for disposal
• Measuring structural constraints (clearances) to support the construction phase and compliance with COM Regulations 2015 (Design Risk Register) to determine construction risks and mitigations.
Deep Track Bed Investigation
• Deeper window sampling and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) using heavy probing techniques for investigating Track Bed Stabilisation sites.
Additional Works and Other Investigation Techniques
• Stiffness Measurement surveys using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), and Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD).
• Drainage level surveys/topographical surveys to support the design track of drainage systems.
• Concrete coring of slab track or other associated foundations
• Material testing
• Rail and sleeper deflection monitoring using cameras, Geophones or similar.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-022452
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
ecm_48952
Lot No
1
Title
TBI NR29 NEC4 Engineering and Construction Short Framework Contract - Lot 1
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22 October 2025
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
ecm_48953
Lot No
2
Title
TBI NR29 NEC4 Engineering and Construction Short Framework Contract - Lot 2
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22 October 2025
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
London
Country
United Kingdom