Scope
Reference
ORR CT 25-58
Description
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is inviting tenders for the provision of strategic consultancy services to support its evolving monitoring role in response to anticipated rail industry reforms, including the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). The successful supplier will provide expert advice, analysis, and design work to help ORR define its future regulatory responsibilities, transition planning, and organisational capabilities.
This contract will be awarded as a call-off agreement, with individual Statements of Work issued during the contract period. The supplier must demonstrate multi-disciplinary expertise across rail economics, infrastructure, operations, and stakeholder engagement. The contract will run until 31 March 2026, with a maximum budget of £200,000 (inclusive of VAT).
This procurement is being conducted as a below-threshold Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
Total value (estimated)
- £166,666 excluding VAT
- £200,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 November 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 30 June 2026
- 7 months, 28 days
Description of possible extension:
The contract will run until 31 March 2026. While no formal extension period is defined, ORR reserves the right to modify the duration of the contract in response to evolving policy, stakeholder requirements, or legislative developments. Any such changes would be subject to formal contract change notices.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
- 71311300 - Infrastructure works consultancy services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
3 October 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
14 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the ORR eTendering portal:
https://orr.bravosolution.co.uk/go/60719652019975F09190
Bidders must ensure that all documents are uploaded to the correct envelopes before the submission deadline:
Technical Envelope: Quality response (Methodology, Delivery, Experience), Disclaimer, and Cyber Essentials or ISO27001 certification (or equivalent).
Commercial Envelope: Pricing proposal and completed Form of Tender.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
The contract will be awarded to the supplier submitting the most advantageous tender, based on the following weighted criteria:
Methodology (20%) - Quality and relevance of the proposed approach, including stakeholder engagement and delivery mechanisms.
Delivery (20%) - Project management, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and adaptability to evolving requirements.
Experience (45%) - Relevant consultancy experience, including CVs of proposed personnel and case studies of similar work.
Cost / Value for Money (15%) - Rate-based pricing proposal, assessed using a day rate model.
Quality criteria will be scored on a scale from 0 (Unacceptable) to 5 (Excellent). Price will be evaluated relative to the lowest bid submitted
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
ORR CT 25-58 ITT Statement of Requirement Final.pdf
ORR CT 25-58 Template - Disclaimer.docx
ORR CT 25-58 Template - Form of Tender - Day Rate.docx
ORR CT 25-58 Template Long-Form Services Agreement + Cover Sheet.docx
Contracting authority
Office of Rail and Road
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPH-6471-MDYY
25 Cabot Square
London
E14 4QZ
United Kingdom
Email: procurementteam@orr.gov.uk
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Organisation type: Public authority - central government