Scope
Description
Legacy lineside equipment housings (dating from the 1960s-2000s) on the GB rail network are experiencing increasing thermal stress due to hotter, longer summers and changing climate patterns. These housings were not designed for elevated ambient temperatures or prolonged thermal loads and are increasingly at risk of overheating, which may degrade the reliability or lifespan of the sensitive signalling and telecoms equipment inside.
In Kent Route, there are over 5,000 and in Southern Region there are over 15,000 of these housings (also known as Location Cases), and nationally over 60,000.
Network Rail is seeking passive thermal management solutions that can be retrofitted to existing housings without compromising security, structural integrity, or existing cable penetrations. Active cooling systems are not desirable due to power constraints, maintenance burden, and whole-life cost implications.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £14,000,000 excluding VAT
- £16,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 July 2026 to 3 July 2028
- Possible extension to 3 July 2032
- 6 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The proposal is to award a 2-year Contract, with an extension option of 2+2 year (2+2+2) as if successful it may lead to wider delivery across the organisation.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 42500000 - Cooling and ventilation equipment
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
3
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The framework will be established as a single-lot, multi-supplier framework under NR1(MT) contract conditions. Awards under the framework will be made by direct award or quotation exercise, dependent on value.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Submission
Enquiry deadline
2 December 2025, 11:00am
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
12 December 2025, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Envelope | Quality | 60% |
| Commercial Envelope | Price | 40% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
A Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) will be issued to all interested parties to assess suppliers before invitation to the main ITT stage. The PSQ is designed to enable early down-selection, ensuring that only those with the necessary capability, capacity, and relevant experience progress further in the process.
Any bidder scoring below a threshold of 2 on each question will not progress beyond the PSQ stage.All suppliers passing the PSQ will progress to ITT stage.
Full details of the process are contained in the Instructions to Participants.
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Contact name: Shajad Khan
Telephone: 07860683838
Email: shajad.khan@networkrail.co.uk
Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government