Scope
Description
Network Rail is undertaking this preliminary market engagement to explore solutions for enhanced movement limiting devices for rail plant to deliver a Dynamic Virtual Wall (DVW) capability for engineering works. Connected Places Catapult (CPC ) is acting solely as a facilitator on behalf of Network Rail for this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise.
The purpose of this notice is to gather industry insights on potential technologies, delivery models, risks, and commercial considerations that could inform a future procurement.
Network Rail is seeking market input to inform the development of its procurement strategy and specification for forthcoming trials of DVW solutions. The ultimate objective is to support accreditation and enable the commercialisation of the solution following successful trial outcomes.
Purpose:
Network Rail is seeking market insight to shape the forthcoming procurement and trial design for a Dynamic Virtual Wall (DVW) capability. The engagement explores technical feasibility, supplier capability, delivery models, risks, and commercial considerations. It is **not** a competitive process and confers no advantage to participants.
Network Rail aims to:
- Increase value and productivity in maintenance and renewal activities.
- Reduce Schedule 4 delay compensation costs by enabling more Any Line Open (ALO) working.
- Improve national consistency and efficiency in engineering delivery.
Current high-performance Movement Limiting Devices (MLDs) only function when RRVs operate on-rail. No approved engineering control exists for off-rail ALO operations. DVW is intended to close this gap.
The Challenge:
Develop a fail safe, safety critical DVW system that prevents RRVs or their loads from encroaching into open line clearances without physical barriers, enabling safe parallel working with live railway lines.
Required DVW Capabilities- Solutions must:
- Integrate with existing RRV fleets and hydraulic systems.
- Provide a digitally enforced boundary preventing fouling of live lines.
- Achieve PLe / SIL3 equivalent performance.
- Operate reliably in diverse railway environments (EN 50125).
- Include interlocked override and external status indication.
- Consider human factors: situational awareness, cognitive load, error prevention, operator visibility, and workflow continuity.
- Automatically stop the machine before a boundary breach.
- Be deployable as a retrofit or upgrade.
Out of Scope:
- Consultancy, academic research, or early-stage R&D.
- Autonomous or semi-autonomous plant.
- Factory train alternatives to RRVs.
- Operational controls for ALO working.
Network Rail invites input on:
- Technical feasibility and technology maturity.
- Supplier capability and capacity.
- Delivery models, risks, and constraints.
- Trial design parameters and resource implications.
Responses are welcome from:
- Full DVW system providers.
- Suppliers enhancing existing MLDs.
- Systems integrators with safety-critical control expertise.
Suppliers who express an interest in this notice will receive the Preliminary Market Engagement document containing further information.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 1 October 2027
- 1 year, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34940000 - Railway equipment
- 35125100 - Sensors
- 38112100 - Global navigation and positioning systems (GPS or equivalent)
- 48140000 - Railway traffic control software package
- 48150000 - Industrial control software package
- 48614000 - Data-acquisition system
- 71700000 - Monitoring and control services
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
- 72212900 - Miscellaneous software development services and computer systems
- 72227000 - Software integration consultancy services
- 72243000 - Programming services
- 72263000 - Software implementation services
- 72300000 - Data services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
16 March 2026
Engagement process description
This engagement is exploratory and does not form part of any current procurement procedure. Responding to this Notice offers the opportunity to engage, share relevant information and provide feedback. Interested suppliers are invited to:
-Express interest by email referencing this Procurement Notice title and sending your name, organisation details, and key contact information to: EMLD@cp.catapult.org.uk
-Complete a questionnaire, which will be issued following your expression of interest
-Attend any upcoming engagement sessions you are invited to; further details will be shared in due course.
The deadline for responses is close of play (COP) on Monday 16 March 2026.
Any questions or clarifications in respect of this notice, should only be addressed to EMLD@cp.catapult.org.uk
Further information regarding this notice can be found on https://cimple.uk/detail/504747
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
4 June 2026
Contracting authority
CONNECTED PLACES CATAPULT
- Companies House: 11837978
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYRM-8976-BXML
1 Sekforde Street
London
EC1R 0BE
United Kingdom
Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)