Planning

Pre-Market Engagement for the Supply of Geosynthetics

  • NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-015487

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-052b0f

Published 18 November 2025, 3:02pm

Last edited 20 February 2026, 8:56am

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Following publication of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice on 18 November 2025, Network Rail can confirm that the preliminary market engagement has now been completed. The engagement attracted strong interest from across the supply chain and provided valuable insight into current market capability and capacity.

Suppliers shared feedback and the practicalities of delivering long-term value across the network. The feedback has been constructive in helping Network Rail shape the final tender documentation, lot structure, and evaluation methodology

Network Rail wishes to update the market following the conclusion of the preliminary market engagement:

The procurement will proceed using a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, comprising Pre-Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) and Invitation to Tender (ITT) stages.

A number of recurring points were raised. The following provides Network Rail’s formal response.

1. Product Acceptance (PA)

Recognising that a product will need to obtain product approval, questions were raised in relation to how the PA process will work in practice. The PA process will be conducted by Network Rail’s dedicated Product Acceptance team. During the PA process, each supplier will be assigned a dedicated Product Acceptance team member to support progression through the assessment, documentation, and approval requirements. The PA assessment will be undertaken against the relevant, applicable, and current National and/or International Standards in force at the time of submission of the product into the PA process, as well as by reference to the specification to be provided as part of the tender documents.

As set out in the PME notice, suppliers may tender without existing PA certification; however, no supply (if successful in being appointed) can commence provision of the relevant product until full PA approval is obtained.

2. Usage Volumes

We provided volume data as part of the PME pack and updated data will be shared as part of the tender documents. The volumes are indicative only. They have been calculated using a five-year historic average and are intended solely to provide an overview of the typical demand profile.

Actual usage will fluctuate according to maintenance, renewals, and project-driven requirements. Network Rail is therefore unable to provide guaranteed volumes.

3. Roll Sizes and Dimensional Requirements

We stated roll sizes within the Lot descriptions and technical documentation provided as part of the PME pack and this information will be shared as part of the tender documents. These roll sizes are fixed requirements. These reflect on-site operational constraints, installation practices, and safety considerations.

4. Approved Use of Biaxial and Triaxial Geogrids

A question was raised in relation to use of Biaxial and triaxial geogrids. Biaxial and triaxial geogrid products have already been assessed and accepted through the PA approval process and are therefore approved for use across the Network Rail infrastructure when supplied under a valid Product Acceptance certificate.

Both are included within the relevant Lots and are considered suitable for their intended applications, subject to meeting the required technical properties and aperture specifications.

5. E-Auction

An E-auction will not form part of the tender.

Further details on the next stage and anticipated timelines will be issued in the Tender Notice. Interested suppliers are encouraged to monitor Find a Tender for the formal launch of the procurement.

Scope

Reference

Project_44817

Description

Geosynthetics are critical in maintaining and improving Network Rail’s asset performance by reinforcing trackbeds, improving drainage, and extending asset life.

The procurement documents can be downloaded from Network Rail's BravoNR sourcing platform via this link.

https://networkrail.bravosolutions.co.uk/web/login.html

From the welcome screen, access the Current Opportunities link and select #44817 Supply of Geosynthetics

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £20,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £24,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2032
  • Possible extension to 31 December 2036
  • 10 years

Main procurement category

Goods

CPV classifications

  • 34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Engagement

Engagement deadline

28 November 2025

Engagement process description

The Purpose of this pre-market engagement exercise is to seek the markets views, capabilities, capacity and levels of interest within the supply of geosynthetics market.

The procurement documents can be downloaded from Network Rail's BravoNR sourcing platform via this link.

https://networkrail.bravosolutions.co.uk/web/login.html

From the welcome screen, access the Current Opportunities link and select #44817 Supply of Geosynthetics

Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

7 April 2026

Procedure

Special regime

Utilities

Contracting authority

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ

Waterloo General Office

London

SE1 8SW

United Kingdom

Contact name: Jaco Badenhorst

Email: Jaco.Badenhorst@networkrail.co.uk

Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/

Region: UKI45 - Lambeth

Organisation type: Public authority - central government