Scope
Reference
project_43859
Description
Network Rail intends to award a contract via direct award under the Procurement Act 2023 to Pandrol Ltd for the Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Framework
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Contract 1. Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment
Supplier
Contract value
- £6,100,000 excluding VAT
- £7,320,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
20 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2029
- Possible extension to 31 October 2033
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
4 Years
Main procurement category
Goods
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Should the Supplier introduce new products under the scope of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment, the Buyer shall have the right to vary these into the Agreement.
CPV classifications
- 44315200 - Welding materials
- 42662000 - Welding equipment
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
With respect to joining rails on site, Aluminothermic Welding is the only welding process Network Rail can utilise given the number of welds installed on an annual basis (Circa 30,000 - 40,000). Other welding processes are either not suitable (enclosed arc welding) or unable to support the number of sites and welds required per year i.e. flash butt welding as only 1 machine is available in the UK to support this process.
Network Rail has a number of Aluminothermic Welders in the business which are trained on the Supplier's Aluminothermic Welding Process. In order to continue using this process, Network Rail has to use the Supplier's Aluminothermic Welding Materials and associated equipment as they are specific to their processes and alternatives would be incompatible with the process.
Network Rail is unable to move to another Aluminothermic Welding process as this would require retraining of all welding staff which would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. In addition to this, there are no other Suppliers in the market which have an Aluminothermic Welding process approved to the requirements of NR/L2/TRK/0032 and EN14730-1.
Supplier
Pandrol Ltd
- Companies House: 00521438
Bonemill Lane, Gateford Road
Worksop
S81 7AX
United Kingdom
Email: marketing@pandrol.com
Website: https://www.pandrol.com/
Region: UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Supply of Aluminothermic Welding Materials and Associated Equipment
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Email: matthew.taylor76@networkrail.co.uk
Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government