Award

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

  • ScotRail Trains Limited

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-009627

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0615c9

Published 3 February 2026, 4:36pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

ScotRail Trains Limited

Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo Street

Glasgow

G2 6HQ

Email

kathleen.gay@scotrail.co.uk

Telephone

+44 3448110141

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30589

one.6) Main activity

Railway services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

ScotRail Platform Validators - Software & Support

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

ScotRail have a current contract in place for platform validator - maintenance, Support and Back-office Software for c700 validators across ScotRail stations. Validators are located at ScotRail stations and allow customers tap in and out to start and end their their journey via Smartcard and to load products that have been purchased online to Smartcards. This contract is for the maintenance, support and software for existing platform validators and will be extended for a period of 1 year to 31 March 2027.

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

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

On the basis of the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulation 86 1(b)(i)(ii) which states that the contract may be modified without a new procurement to provide for additional works, supplies or services by the original contractor, irrespective of their value, that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i)cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement.

Vix are the original supplier of the platform validators and therefore there is an absence of competition for intellectual property, exclusive rights and technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives with the capabilities to support and maintain the existing platform validators. Vix own the IP and exclusive rights within the back-office software which is fundamental to the functionality of the validators. Vix are in the best position to carry out maintenance and repair activities on their own product including possessing the qualified skills and processes, as well as having access to replacement parts as required. Attempting to appoint another supplier to carry out these activities is likely to result in additional costs for ScotRail in funding upskilling and development of processes for a new supplier and their personnel and an additional layer of cost in sourcing replacement parts from Vix through another supplier.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section five. Award of contract/concession

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

12 January 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Vix Technology

141-145 Charles Street

Glasgow

G21 2QA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

(SC Ref:821622)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Sheriff Court

Glasgow

Country

United Kingdom