Scope
Description
Network Rail has a requirement to purchase a range of steel products that are used to support Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). The scope of this procurement includes steelwork for electrification specific applications as detailed in UKMS, UKMS 1, UKMS2, OLEMI and GEFF designs:
• Lot 1 Steel Piles - Tubular steel piles used for foundations.
• Lot 2 Steel Structures - In the forms of masts and spans (booms, portals and other structures spanning the track) to which OHLE is attached.
• Lot 3 Small Part Steel Uncontrolled - Components to enable OHLE equipment to be attached to the structures.
• Lot 4 Small Part Steel Controlled - Various clips and clamps used to secure items to the structures as well as supporting OHL Wire, these are often casted items. Products on this Lot require Product Acceptance (PA), NR can sponsor suppliers through this process.
• Lot 5 Fixings - Electrification specific fixings and fasteners to secure the electrification structures.
The proposed Framework(s) will be for an initial period of 6 years, with options to extend for a further two year period. Participants that are interested in Supplying Lot 1 Steel Piles and Lot 2 Steel Structures will be required to have capacity to purchase and store steel raw materials on behalf of Network Rail, and agree to the provision fo a Vesting Certificate (a copy of which is contained in the Procurement Documents).
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £240,000,000 excluding VAT
- £288,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Main procurement category
Goods
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. Steel Piles
Description
The provision of Steel Piles
Lot value (estimated)
- £70,000,000 excluding VAT
- £84,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2027 to 1 March 2033
- Possible extension to 1 March 2035
- 8 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
by mutual agreement with the parties.
CPV classifications
- 31682400 - Overhead electrical equipment
- 44210000 - Structures and parts of structures
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
- 34946120 - Railway materials
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Steel Structures
Description
The provision of Steel Structures
Lot value (estimated)
- £99,000,000 excluding VAT
- £118,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2027 to 1 March 2033
- Possible extension to 1 March 2035
- 8 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The agreement may be extended by mututal agreement of the parties.
CPV classifications
- 31682400 - Overhead electrical equipment
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
- 34946120 - Railway materials
- 44210000 - Structures and parts of structures
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Small Part Steel Uncontrolled
Description
The provision of Small Part Steel Uncontrolled.
Lot value (estimated)
- £27,000,000 excluding VAT
- £32,400,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2033
- Possible extension to 1 January 2035
- 8 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The agreement can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
CPV classifications
- 31682400 - Overhead electrical equipment
- 34946120 - Railway materials
- 44212300 - Structures and parts
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Small Part Steel Controlled
Description
The provision of Small Part Steel Controlled.
Lot value (estimated)
- £31,000,000 excluding VAT
- £37,200,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2033
- Possible extension to 1 January 2035
- 8 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The agreement can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
CPV classifications
- 31682400 - Overhead electrical equipment
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
- 34946120 - Railway materials
- 44210000 - Structures and parts of structures
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Fixings
Description
The provision of fixings (for OLE)
Lot value (estimated)
- £13,000,000 excluding VAT
- £15,600,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2033
- Possible extension to 1 January 2035
- 8 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
CPV classifications
- 31682400 - Overhead electrical equipment
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
- 34946120 - Railway materials
- 44210000 - Structures and parts of structures
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
25
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
For all Lots prices will set at the start of the agreement and reviewed annually, following the competitive flexible procedure. For all Lots there is a direct award and mini competition process definied within the Procurement Documents. Prices set at Framework level are not to be exceeded rates, and successful suppliers may submit lower pricing to secure orders through the life of the framework.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Submission
Enquiry deadline
12 September 2025, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
22 September 2025, 5:00pm
Electronic auction will be used
Yes
Submission address and any special instructions
https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk
pqq_3661 - OLE Steelwork Common to All Questions
pqq_3710 - OLE Steelwork Lot 1 Steel Piles Technical Questions
pqq_3719 - OLE Steelwork Lot 2 Steel Structures Technical Questions
pqq_3720 - OLE Steelwork Lot 3 Small Part Steel Uncontrolled Technical Questions
pqq_3721 - OLE Steelwork Lot 4 Small Part Steel Controlled Technical Questions
pqq_3722 - OLE Steelwork Lot 5 Fixings Technical Questions
All of the information and related documents are available via pqq_3661 -OLE Steelwork Common to All Questions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 January 2033
Award criteria
Lot 1. Steel Piles
Lot 2. Steel Structures
Lot 3. Small Part Steel Uncontrolled
Lot 4. Small Part Steel Controlled
Name | Type | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Commercial | Price | 55% |
Technical | Quality | 25% |
Health and Safety | Quality | 10% |
Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Lot 5. Fixings
Name | Type | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Commercial | Quality | 55% |
Technical | Quality | 25% |
Health and Safety | Quality | 10% |
Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
A procurement specific questionnaire will be issued to all interested parties, and after down selection, up to 6 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 1, up to 8 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 2 and Lot 3, up to 10 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 4 and up to 5 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 5.
Participants for Lots 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be invited to e auctions as part of the tender process. No e auction will be held for Lot 4. Full details of the process are contained in the Instructions to Participants.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Additional training material may be supplied to support Participants with the e auction. Any additional documents will be issued via the Bravo messaging function.
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Contact name: Louise Billingham
Telephone: 07734646282
Email: louise.billingham@networkrail.co.uk
Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government