Scope
Description
The Chiltern Railways Company is in process of cascading its fleet of 13*Mk5a Coaches and 15*c68 Locomotive units on its London Marylebone to Birmingham route during 2026, with the full complement of rolling stock to be in service by 1st December 2026. The units are leased from Beacon Rail Leasing and are currently being maintained under an interim maintenance agreement between Chiltern Railways and Beacon Rail Leasing until 1st December 2026.
Under the existing maintenance structure, the Mk5a Coaches are being maintained by the OEM alongside a TSSSA, the maintenance of the c68 Locomotives is being undertaken by a non-OEM 3rd party who also operate the c68 TSSSA. The maintenance works are being undertaken at the Eastleigh Train Maintenance Depot, with vehicle movements to and from the depot being provided by a 3rd party supplier.
As part of the long-term maintenance contract renewal post 1st December 2026, Chiltern Railways is seeking to understand market readiness and the available contracting options, which may inform its long-term procurement strategy and most optimal route to market, which may be informed by this preliminary market engagement process.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 October 2026 to 30 October 2036
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34610000 - Rail locomotives and tenders
- 34620000 - Rolling stock
- 34630000 - Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; railways traffic-control equipment
- 34940000 - Railway equipment
- 50200000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft, railways, roads and marine equipment
- 60210000 - Public transport services by railways
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 March 2026
Engagement process description
Aims of The Engagement Process
Ascertain market readiness and the available options for Chiltern Railways to deliver its long-term maintenance strategy.
Ascertain that any resultant long-term strategy is robust and exceeds Chiltern Railways obligations as a good and efficient operator.
Determine the most optimal contracting model which provides resilience and value for money.
Identify risks, opportunities & interdependencies.
Implement Best practice and industry learning which may be adopted.
In responding to this engagement, suppliers should provide their responses to the questions posed, detailing their approach, caveats, risks and opportunities they foresee in delivering the service. Chiltern Railways shall review the responses and where appropriate engage in further supplier interaction, which may take the form of site visits, face to face meetings or supplier events.
Conditions of Engagement
Suppliers participating in this process agree that this is an information gathering exercise only, and should not be interpreted as a procurement event, there shall be no evaluation or award resulting from this process by The Chiltern Railway Company. The responses obtained from this engagement may inform the most viable contracting models and expedient route to market for any subsequent procurement which may be undertaken.
Chiltern Railways may share elements of its findings with the market, suppliers should clearly state any areas of confidentiality in their response/s to the questionnaire stating "not to be shared as part of any debriefing process".
Chiltern Railways shall have no liability for any costs arising from this engagement which the supplier may incur as part of this process,
Chiltern Railways acknowledges that suppliers may require clarification prior to their submission and whilst the object of this engagement is not to enter into detailed exchange of information, Chiltern Railways will aim to provide clarity where appropriate to participants where it deems appropriate.
Commercial Sensitivity
The supplier should advise any areas of response which they deem to be confidential, clearly stating these may not be divulged in the event of any debrief process.
Chiltern Railways Requirements
Chiltern Railways wishes to explore materials supply and technical support options for its Mk5a Coaches across proprietary parts i.e. those which formed part of the OEM scope at the point vehicle production and non-proprietary materials which may be commercially available. Chiltern Railways seeks to understand the supplier's methodology with regards to materials management, comprising but not limited to component procurement, stocking, warehousing, supply-chain management, repairs & returns, obsolesce management and supply chain risk mitigation to ensure the train availability regime.
It the expected that the contract duration shall be for a period of 10 years, with a contract commencement date of the 31st October 2026 with a planned mobilisation by the 1st December 2026.
Participation
If you wish to participate in this engagement process, your formal acceptance is required by 16.00hrs Wednesday 18th February 2026, by registering at the Chiltern Procurement Dojo Platform and via the acceptance and return of our NDA without modification.
Engagement Responses Deadline 16.00hrs Friday 13th March 2026.
Please use the link and event code below to register on Market Dojo
https://marketdojo.com/market-dojo-sign-up/
Event code DBB6EFD793
General Information
Suppliers must register on Market Dojo Platform and it's their responsibility to ensure their participants are kept informed of the status of this activity.
Chiltern Railways may use multiple procurement procedures in accordance with PA2023.
Chiltern Railways welcome responses from suppliers across sectors who can demonstrate capability in the areas above.
Suppliers are not obliged to take part in this activity and may still participate in any forthcoming ITT in accordance with the rules of participation under PA2023.
Contracting authority
THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
- Companies House: 03007939
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNPV-7838-DRMN
1 Admiral Way
Sunderland
SR3 3XP
United Kingdom
Region: UKC23 - Sunderland
Organisation type: Private utility