Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Waterloo General Offices
London
SE1 8SW
humza.tayyab@networkrail.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1908781000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
www.networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
one.6) Main activity
Railway services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
992,638
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. This notice is to indicate that Network Rail intends to contract with Aptitude Software Limited, for the Software licencing + support & maintenance services.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £992,638 / Highest offer: £992,638 taken into consideration
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This requirement is for a three year renewal for the Microgen Aptitude Software Licence, Maintenance and Support Agreement with Aptitude Software Limited via a Single Tender Action (STA) commencing on 23/06/2025.
The “Track access billing programme” has been established within Route Services IT to deliver a consolidated software application, database and infrastructure for the recording of Track Access, Compensation Payments (Planned and Unplanned) and the maintenance of reference data. The Billing programme is a strategic programme to improve the way in which the billing function for Network Rail (NR) is carried out and managed by the organisation.
As a longstanding client of Aptitude since 2008, Network Rail has leveraged Aptitude
Software Limited platform to support critical internal operations through a customised application built
and maintained using the Aptitude Platform.
Key Areas of Support:
• Web Application Development
Network Rail uses the Aptitude Platform’s web application generator to develop
and operate an internal application. Uniquely, they run their environment on
Microsoft Windows, utilising IIS (Internet Information Services) and .NET
technologies, rather than the more common Linux-based setup.
• Calculation Capability
The platform supports core business calculations - specifically, those used to
model and determine the fees other companies must pay to access and use
railway infrastructure. These financial models are essential to Network Rail’s
operations.
• Ongoing Upgrades and Technical Support
Aptitude has supported several platform upgrades over the years, with the most
recent migration to version 24.4.1. We assisted in resolving issues during this
process, particularly compatibility concerns with Windows Server 2022.
• Testing and Migration Status
Network Rail is in the final phase of testing their newly upgraded application.
Most system tests have been completed successfully, with a few final validations
currently underway.
• Continued Engagement
While direct development work has been minimal since 2019, Aptitude
continues to provide proactive technical support, version upgrades, and
assistance with troubleshooting to ensure continued platform stability.
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 without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
Explanation:
This award is compliant with the New Procurement Act 2023 under section 41 referencing I7 Sch. 5 para. 4 and para. 5 ; competition is absent for technical reasons and NR’s C&P Policy. The Rationale is as follows:
• Due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
• There are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
• due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
• There are no other suppliers in the marketplace that are able to replace NR’s legacy billing systems with a single solution that could manage changes to the billing rules more effectively and to more efficiently manage the workload and improve the accuracy of revenue collection.
The Contract Award Notice also noted that the estimated total value was based on Network Rail’s current forecast of future spend under the frameworks. The Contract Award Notice noted that the values are Network Rail’s best estimate based on currently available information, and in particular that any third party spend is not certain at the stage the Contract Award Notice was published.
Please note that this is a voluntary transparency notice and the contracts have not yet been awarded.
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
Title
Aptitude Software Limited, Tabs -Software licencing + support & maintenance
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
11 June 2025
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
Aptitude Software Limited
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Find a Tender website: Find a Tender (find-tender.service.gov.uk)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
London
WC2A 1AA
Country
United Kingdom