Scope
Reference
WS2668230143
Description
The TEX Programme proposes to construct a 3 km cross-river extension of the DLR existing network from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside. The indicative scope of the works is as outlined below:
- Tie-in to the existing DLR East Route, grade separated junction and viaduct, dropping down to grade level approaching Beckton Riverside station
-New station at the centre of Beckton Riverside development
- Cross river tunnel, twin bore tunnel circa 1.5 km
- New station at Thamesmead
- New turnback siding to the west of the extension to facilitate a future uplift in services on the Thamesmead branch and East Route.
The contracting entity for this procurement is expected to be Docklands Light Railway Limited, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL).
TfL is in the process of defining the scope of requirements for the goods, services and construction works under the proposed TEX programme. The following outlines the indicative scope at this stage.
Scope of services includes:
- Civil and building design
- Mechanical, power, electrical, sanitary and security design
- Ground investigations
- Design lead and co-ordination.
Scope of construction works includes:
- Enabling works
- General building and civil engineering works
- Mechanical, power, electrical, security and sanitary installations
- Train traction power system
- Telecommunication systems
- Permanent ways and tracks
- Station buildings
- Landscaping
Scope of goods includes:
- Associated mechanical, electrical/electronic equipment
- Associated construction materials
It is expected that the works may be phased and currently planned to commence 2028 and completed by 2033.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,350,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,620,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2027 to 31 December 2033
- 6 years, 10 months
Main procurement category
Works
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 44000000 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)
- 45000000 - Construction work
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services
- 51000000 - Installation services (except software)
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
31 January 2026
Engagement process description
Transport for London ("TfL") intends to undertake Preliminary Market Engagement ("PME") in respect of the proposed DLR Thamesmead Extension ("TEX") Programme. The intention is to establish appetite and to harness expertise from the industry to help develop a suitable strategy for delivering all the works comprised in this Programme.
The initial pre-procurement strategy at this stage anticipates a multi-stage procurement process with an early contractor involvement. To prepare the TEX Programme procurement strategy, TfL is seeking contributions from suppliers with experience in delivering works of a similar magnitude (scale and complexity) to that of the TEX Programme to assist in developing a suitable delivery model for delivering the works. In this respect, advice and suggestions on general buildability of the scheme, concept design, phasing, packaging and sequencing of works and contractual arrangements for the work packages will be invaluable to TfL.
TfL has embarked on implementing a new delivery model. This will drive improvements, capture construction efficiencies, reduce costs, seek innovative techniques to reduce carbon and improve whole life costs.
It is anticipated that this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) will include a Supplier Industry Day and a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). TfL may opt to subsequently hold one-to-one sessions with a selection of respondents assessed as having the capability and experience for the scope of works based on their MSQ responses.
TfL may opt to conduct further Preliminary Market Engagement in the form of additional Supplier Industry Days or further MSQs. In this case, TfL will issue a further UK2: Preliminary Market Engagement Notice.
TfL e-Tendering
This Preliminary Market Engagement exercise is being managed electronically on TfL's e-Tendering portal SAP Ariba. Interested parties should register on SAP Ariba in the first instance.
SAP Ariba Registration
The following instructions explain TfL's e-Tendering portal and provide guidance on how interested parties will be able to communicate with TfL in relation to this exercise.
(1) To register or to check if you are already registered to SAP Ariba, log on to https://service.ariba.com/Supplier.aw . Interested parties must read the instructions carefully before proceeding with registration.
(2) Once you have registered on SAP Ariba (or are already registered), you must also register on TfL's SAP Ariba system through the following link https://s1-eu.ariba.com/Sourcing/Main/ad/selfReigstration?realm=TfL
Guidance on registering is available through the following link: here https://content.tfl.gov.uk/supplier-registration.pdf
(3) Upon completion of steps 1 and/or 2, interested parties must email TEXPartnerSupport@tfl.gov.uk titling the email "TEX Preliminary Market Engagement Exercise" with the following details:
- your organisation name as registered in SAP Ariba;
- your applicable supplier ID associated with TfL in SAP Ariba, in the form of SM Vendor ID, or ERP ID, or AN ID, or ACM ID;
- your single point of contact registered on SAP Ariba; first name and surname;
- your email address registered with SAP Ariba; and
- your role in the organisation as registered with SAP Ariba;
Please contact Ariba_Supplier_Enablement@tfl.gov.uk in the first instance should you experience any problems with the portal for issues related to items 1 and 2 above.
Completion of these steps will enable TfL to invite interested parties to the Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in SAP Ariba. TfL will issue the link for Supplier Industry Day registration and the Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) via this portal.
TEX Supplier Industry Day:
The Supplier Industry Day is scheduled to take place on 02 December 2025 09:30 - 12:30 at 1, Park Crescent, London, W1B 1SH.
Suppliers that are registered and form part of the Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in SAP Ariba (as per above instructions) will be issued with a link to register for Industry Day attendance via this portal. Suppliers are asked to complete the registration form before 5pm on 25 November 2025. Please note that a maximum attendance of 3 persons per respondent will be allowed.
Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ):
The MSQ will be issued via the Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in SAP Ariba by 5 December 2025 following the TEX Supplier Industry Day. The deadline for responses is 31 January 2026 at 6:00pm. This is 8 weeks following the Supplier Industry Day.
This Notice is for information only . This is a pre-procurement activity and does not imply any commitment to any future procurement process or at all. The purpose is to seek feedback on TfL's initial approach, appetite from industry and information on alternative solutions that are being developed in the marketplace for similar schemes. Participation in this PME and any subsequent engagements are not a prerequisite to, and will not prejudice, participation in any future competitive process.
Information relating to the nature and scope of the requirements, the estimated value and the list of CPV codes, is indicative of current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding and TfL reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time. Additionally, any information contained in this notice and/or in any communication made between TfL and any supplier in connection with this notice should not be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement, or representation that any contract will be offered as a result of this PME and/or any subsequent engagements. If TfL decides to progress with any procurement exercise for the Programme, TfL will publish a separate UK4 tender notice.
TfL shall not be liable to any respondent for any costs whatsoever incurred in participating in this pre-procurement activity.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 June 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
Transport for London
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHMT-6197-NWNZ
5 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
United Kingdom
Email: TEXPartnerSupport@tfl.gov.uk
Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - central government