Wales and Western Region Research & Development Engagement Event

Procurement reference

Project_43760

Procurement description

Network Rail is exploring future research and development (R&D) opportunities in collaboration with the supply chain to address key operational and safety challenges across our infrastructure. This early engagement aims to identify suppliers, technology providers, and innovators who are capable of supporting the development of innovative solutions in a range of priority areas.

The scope of this potential procurement includes, but is not limited to, the following areas of interest:

Track – Development of solutions for the detection of pre-1979 rail types to identify defects or high-risk sections that may pose performance or safety concerns.

Track – Innovative techniques for cutting and grinding back edge lipping to reduce the need for ultrasonic testing and milling interventions.

Freight Operations – Systems or technologies to ensure scrap wagons are loaded safely and correctly, minimising the risk of operational incidents during transit.

Infrastructure Maintenance – Automated cleaning systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of debris catchment management across the network.

Energy Systems – Enhanced secondary cell battery technologies that improve asset reliability, reduce maintenance burdens, and ease manual handling for railway operatives.

Safety and Security – New or improved solutions to detect, prevent, and manage trespass incidents on the rail network.

Points and Switching – Continuous monitoring technologies that can measure the residual switch opening against the stock rail on RT60 points assets, supporting early fault detection and preventative maintenance.

Network Rail seeks to understand the level of market interest and capability in each of these areas to inform potential future procurement strategies and innovation funding routes.

Main category

Goods

Additional categories

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales
• UKK - South West (England)
• UKG3 - West Midlands

Total value (estimated)

500000 GBP Excluding VAT

600000 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2027, 23:59PM

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Utilities

Is the total value above threshold?

Below threshold

CPV classifications

• 38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
• 48151000 - Computer control system
• 50324100 - System maintenance services
• 71356100 - Technical control services
• 34621200 - Railway maintenance or service vehicles
• 34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies
• 42600000 - Machine tools
• 43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment
• 34144700 - Utility vehicles
• 42414100 - Cranes
• 42997300 - Industrial robots
• 34140000 - Heavy-duty motor vehicles
• 42900000 - Miscellaneous general and special-purpose machinery
• 43324000 - Drainage equipment
• 44316000 - Ironmongery
• 35120000 - Surveillance and security systems and devices
• 35121000 - Security equipment
• 79710000 - Security services
• 30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales
• UKK - South West (England)
• UKG3 - West Midlands

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2027, 23:59PM

Engagement process description

Supplier Engagement – R&D Innovation Programme

Network Rail Wales & Western Region is pleased to invite you to participate in an upcoming Supplier Engagement Event as part of our Research and Development (R&D) programme. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration with the supply chain on key innovation challenges that support the delivery of a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable railway.

Following regional engagement and operational insights, we have identified several priority areas where we are actively seeking innovative solutions. These challenges are detailed in the accompanying document to this notice and span various parts of our infrastructure and operations, including track, freight, infrastructure maintenance, asset management, and safety systems.

To ensure meaningful and focused discussions, we will be hosting a series of thematic in-person engagement sessions during September and October 2025, at locations within the Wales and Western region — such as our Bristol or Cardiff offices.

Next Steps – Express Your Interest

To help us shape the sessions and allocate places appropriately, please complete the following short form to indicate:

The challenge areas your organisation is interested in

Your capacity or interest in contributing to the development of innovative solutions

Your preferred location (if applicable)

https://forms.office.com/e/GHPzHCBDJA

Please submit your response by Wednesday 7th August 2025.

Important Notes

Due to space limitations, we may need to restrict the number of attendees per supplier organisation.

Additional details, including session dates, times, and exact locations, will be shared shortly after the response deadline.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact:

Lily-May Roberts – lily-may.roberts@networkrail.co.uk

Olivia Jones – olivia.jones@networkrail.co.uk

We look forward to your participation and to exploring opportunities to collaborate on innovative solutions that will shape the future of our railway.

Due date

31 October 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No