Engagement process description
Network Rail intends to procure a national, long-term contract for the onboard fitment of digital signalling system equipment, European Train Control Systems (ETCS), and associated works on to IPDR Turbostar passenger trains.
The IPDR Turbostar fleet has been identified as the next priority procurement due to the required delivery dates to achieve fitment completion and driver training before the anticipated ‘signals away’ date for the Grantham Scheme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML).
The Turbostar fleet are diesel multiple units (DMUs) built by Adtranz and later Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby between 1997 and 2011. The family consists of 206 units of Class 168, Class 170, Class 171, Class 172, of which 172 are planned to be fitted owned by Porterbrook (145), Beacon Rail Leasing (12) and Angel Trains (12). The fleet to be fitted is operated across 6 Train Operating Companies (TOCs).
As such there is a significant opportunity to implement a consolidated sourcing strategy which will drive value, economies of scale and consistency into the procurement and delivery of the works over this proposed fifteen 15 year contract period.
Network Rail is planning to conduct a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to develop the procurement approach and provide the market with the opportunity to input.
Responding to the notice is an excellent opportunity to engage with the programme, share relevant information and provide vital feedback to inform the procurement approach. Should your organisation wish to respond to this notice please follow the instructions below.
1. Supplier Engagement Event
NR intends to hold a virtual online supplier engagement session for registered parties in relation to the procurement of the IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract on the 28 April 2026, via Microsoft Teams.
NR encourages your organisation to attend this event and hear about this very exciting opportunity and the start of changing the GB Rail Industry for the future of ETCS.
This event will have a greater level of detailed information provided on our proposed approaches, and we encourage attendance therefore to help shape the requirements and contracting strategy. Our team will be on hand to take away any questions which will answered by publishing the Q&A in the BRAVO sourcing portal after the event. All supply chains are encouraged to attend (large or small) to understand how your organisation can become engaged and involved.
To register for the event please follow the instructions below:
1. Follow the link
https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
2. From the welcome screen, access the "View Current Opportunities" link and select “IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract” (Login is not required).
3. Then follow the instructions in the "Responding to the Preliminary Market Engagement Notice" section of the attached document titled “IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract Supplier Briefing Document” in the Opportunity Attachments section in BRAVO.
Should you have any difficulties in registering for the event or have any clarifications or questions in respect of this market engagement they should be directed to:
PFP@networkrail.co.uk
2. Market Sounding Questionnaire
In conjunction with the publication of this PME Notice and the supplier briefing document, NR has published a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) in the Opportunity Attachments section in BRAVO which invites all participants to provide feedback on key areas to help shape the requirements and contracting strategy for the IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract.
3. Supplier Clarification Question (CQ) process
NR shall run a full clarification question process throughout this whole market engagement process via the NR BRAVO sourcing portal messaging function. Where no Unique Selling Points (USP’s) or Intellectual Property Rights are disclosed then in these cases our responses and the original question will be shared with all potential participants via BRAVO.
NR therefore request that should anything be considered a USP and IPR to your organisation that this is marked (CONFIDENTIAL & COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE) on the clarification or email at the very top of the clarification or email, so that NR can consider ensuring protection of the same.