Scope
Description
DFTO and contributing Train Operating Companies (TOC's) are conducting preliminary market engagement to inform the development of our procurement strategy for a forthcoming Revenue Management System Retender.
The anticipated high-level requirements are as follows however are subject to change following premarket engagement:
• Flexible Business Rules.
• AI generated recommendations.
• Integration with various data sources in optimisation.
• Support future timetable and fares pilot changes.
• Support a 12-month booking horizon.
• Intuitive User Interface
• Instant updates to / from RARS.
• Past travel date data in the UI for limited time.
• Events input and accurate recommendations.
• Group travel team self-manage quotes.
• Influence optimisation with in-house machine learning team.
• Revenue Manage additional products and fares.
• Ability to experiment and test changes within the system
Publication of this notice does not bind DFTO or subsidiaries to any guarantee and it is possible that no tender will result from this Pre-Market Engagement exercise. The requirements, contract duration, start and end dates detailed within this notice are subject to amendment following Pre Market Engagement and confirmation of the route to market.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Engagement
Engagement deadline
7 November 2025
Engagement process description
1. Purpose of Engagement
DFTO and contributing Train Operating Companies (TOC's) are conducting preliminary market engagement to inform the development of our procurement strategy for a forthcoming Revenue Management System Retender. This engagement aims to:
• Inform suppliers of the high-level requirements and receive feedback on the feasibility of them.
• Explain to suppliers the concept of the Project and how it aligns to strategic objectives of future GBR.
• Shape supplier's expectations of how future tenders of this scale will be delivered.
• Understand beyond the known suppliers who else could provide a Rail RMS.
• Help to develop the Procurement Strategy for the future tender.
• Promote transparency and attract a diverse supplier base.
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2. Format of Engagement
The engagement will take place via:
• In-person presentation:
• Location: The Memoir Club, 12 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0HX
• Time / Date: 18 November 2025, 1000 - 1500.
If required, DFTO may conduct follow up 1-1 meetings with parties who have expressed an interest prior to 7th of November. These meetings shall be held after the in-person presentation has taken place. The purpose of these shall be to capture any information not discussed during the workshop or to allow interested suppliers who couldn't attend the in-person workshop to discuss our requirements.
Key information and outcomes following the Pre-Markets Engagement will be communicated to all parties who have expressed an interest in the engagement. This shall include the material questions and answers asked within the presentation session.
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3. Supplier Participation
Interested suppliers are invited to express interest by 7 November 2025 via email to the Scott.Gordon@LNER.co.uk and Holly.Peters@dftoperator.co.uk . Please include:
• Company Name
• Contact Details of all attending including email address (Max 3x Personnel per Supplier)
• Brief overview of relevant experience
• Any specific areas of interest or questions
If expressions of interest exceed capacity, selection will be based on relevance to scope and sector expertise, and representation across supplier types (including SMEs). All insights from the engagement will be shared equally with all potential bidders to ensure fairness and transparency.
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4. Supplier Questionnaire
A short administrative questionnaire is included at the below link for suppliers to complete. The completion of the questionnaire alongside the email outlined in section 3 is the formal acknowledgement of attendance at the Pre-Markets Engagement Day.
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5. Communication
All shared materials, insights, and any material questions and answers throughout this process will be documented and made available to ensure that no supplier gains an unfair advantage. Supplier points of contacts are to ensure the email addresses of all those personnel who require access to documents are included in the supplier questionnaire.
Any Project related questions should be directed to the Project team and not the associated Business Owners from each TOC.
Contracting authority
DFT OPERATOR LIMITED
- Companies House: 07141122
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXPM-5448-GHBZ
Waterloo General Office 2nd Floor
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)
Other organisations
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
LONDON NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Contributor
- Companies House: 04659712
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQZP-5496-ZTHY
West Offices
York
YO1 6GA
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@lner.co.uk
Region: UKE21 - York
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Contributor
- Companies House: 03076444
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZCJ-2164-HJQZ
George Stephenson House
York
YO1 6JT
United Kingdom
Region: UKE21 - York
TRANSPENNINE TRAINS LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Contributor
- Companies House: 12544930
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXNX-1214-CQYL
7th Floor, Bridgewater House
Manchester
M1 6LT
United Kingdom
Region: UKD33 - Manchester
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Contributor
- Companies House: 03266760
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQHL-7495-VCQT
South Bank Central 4th Floor, 30 Stamford Street,
London
SE1 9LQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark