Scope
Description
An immediate requirement has been identified for the provision of cl80x including Automatic Train Protection (ATP) competent Freight Operating Company (FOC) Drivers who are trained to Great Western Railway (GWR) standards. The FOC Drivers are required over 17 days to provide driving services to GWR for the management and servicing of its rolling stock to/from off network locations as mitigations to planned perturbation. In addition to driving services, there is also a requirement for Person in Charge (PICs) to work with the Drivers and operate off network facilities/locations on behalf of GWR. To ensure GWR can deliver for its customers, the route learning for the FOC Drivers must commence no later than August 2025. A tender will be published shortly for future requirements.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,500,000 excluding VAT
- £1,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 30 September 2026
- 1 year, 1 month
Description of possible extension:
Extensions may be applied in circumstances where the main tender process requires additional time to complete. This could arise due to factors such as the complexity of submissions, the need for clarifications, or delays in evaluation or approvals.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60200000 - Railway transport services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
Due to substantial scope changes in GWR requirements GWR intends to re-tender the entire requirement to ensure compliance with procurement legislation and to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all potential bidders.
However, due to time constraints preventing the completion of a full procurement process at this stage, a short-term direct award has been made to meet urgent operational requirements.
A full tender process will be launched in due course.
Supplier
GB RAILFREIGHT LIMITED
- Companies House: 03707899
5th Floor 62 - 64 Cornhill
London
EC3V 3NH
United Kingdom
Email: ian.grey@gbrailfreight.com
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED
- Companies House: 05113733
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXVG-2764-GZCQ
Milford House 1 Milford Street
Wiltshire
SN1 1HL
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@gwr.com
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Private utility