Scope
Procurement reference
C001284.00
Procurement description
TfW is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to cover Independent Assessor services.
The proposed framework will provide specialist independent assessment and assurance services to verify compliance with railway safety, interoperability and regulatory requirements.
The framework will be divided into three lots:
Lot 1 – Assessment Body (AsBo): Independent assessment against Common Safety Method (CSM-REA) requirements.
Lot 2 – AsBo / Approval Body (ApBo) / Designated Body (DeBo): Safety and interoperability assessment services against National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) and National Technical Rules (NTRs).
Lot 3 – Independent Competent Person (ICP): Independent verification of compliance with ROGS requirements.
The framework will support assurance activities across TfW rail infrastructure projects throughout the project lifecycle.
Further information can be found in the Tender Documents published on the Atamis procurement portal.
Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)
4125000.00 GBP to 4125000.67GBP
Contract dates (estimated)
02 November 2026, 00:00AM to 01 November 2030, 23:59PM
Is a framework being established?
Yes
Lots
Divided into 3 lots
Assessment Body (AsBo)
Lot number: 1
Description
Provides independent verification of compliance with the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-REA).
Key activities:
• Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Preliminary Design (Stage C).
• Review and assess:
o Safety Plans
o System Definitions
o Hazard Records
o Safety Justification Reports
• Issue:
o Progressive Assessment Records at Stages C and E.
o Safety Assessment Records at Stage F (Construction, Commissioning and Handover).
CPV classifications
- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 79132000 - Certification services
- 71530000 - Construction consultancy services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
- 72246000 - Systems consultancy services
Lot value (estimated)
1666667.00 GBP Excluding VAT
2000000.00 GBP Including VAT
Sustainability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contract start date (estimated)
02 November 2026, 00:00AM
Contract end date (estimated)
01 November 2030, 23:59PM
Award criteria
Type: price
Name
Price
Description
Hourly/Daily Rates
Weighting: 30.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Quality
Description
Full details in tender pack
Weighting: 60.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Social Value
Weighting: 10.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
AsBo, Approval Body (ApBo) and Designated Body (DeBo)
Lot number: 2
Description
Provides:
• AsBo services for CSM-REA compliance.
• ApBo services for interoperability compliance against applicable National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs).
• DeBo services for interoperability compliance against National Technical Rules (NTRs).
Key activities:
• Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Stage C.
• Review safety documentation (System Safety & Authorisation Plans, System Definition, Hazard Record, Safety Justification Report).
• Assess NTSN compliance and supporting evidence.
• Issue:
o Progressive Assessment Records (Stages C and E).
o Design Intermediate Statement of Verification (ISV-D) at Detailed Design (Stage E).
o Production Intermediate Statement of Verification (ISV-P) at Construction/Commissioning (Stage F).
o Safety Assessment Records at Stage F.
o A final Technical File.
CPV classifications
- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 79132000 - Certification services
- 71530000 - Construction consultancy services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
- 72246000 - Systems consultancy services
Lot value (estimated)
1666667.00 GBP Excluding VAT
2000000.00 GBP Including VAT
Sustainability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contract start date (estimated)
02 November 2026, 00:00AM
Contract end date (estimated)
01 November 2030, 23:59PM
Award criteria
Type: price
Name
Price
Description
Hourly/Daily Rates
Weighting: 30.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Social Value
Weighting: 10.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Quality
Description
Full details in tender pack
Weighting: 60.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Independent Competent Person (ICP)
Lot number: 3
Description
Provides independent verification of compliance with the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS).
Key activities:
• Produce an Independent Assessment Plan at Stage C.
• Review the Duty Holder's:
o Safety Management System (SMS)
o System Safety & Authorisation Plan
o System Definition
o Hazard Record
o Safety Justification Report
• Issue:
o ICP Duty Holder SMS Report at Stage C.
o ICP Preliminary Design Review Reports at Stage C.
o ICP Design Review Reports at Stage E.
o ICP Pre-Commissioning Review Reports at Stage F
CPV classifications
- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 79132000 - Certification services
- 71530000 - Construction consultancy services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
- 72246000 - Systems consultancy services
Lot value (estimated)
791666.67 GBP Excluding VAT
950000.00 GBP Including VAT
Sustainability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contract start date (estimated)
02 November 2026, 00:00AM
Contract end date (estimated)
01 November 2030, 23:59PM
Award criteria
Type: price
Name
Price
Description
Hourly/Daily Rates
Weighting: 30.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Social Value
Weighting: 10.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Type: quality
Name
Quality
Description
Full details in tender pack
Weighting: 60.00
Weighting type: percentageExact
Submission address and any special instructions
Via the TfW Atamis Procurement Portal https://tfw.my.site.com/s/Welcome using code: C0216.Once you have registered, you will find the home screen with various access links. To view and register onto any Transport for Wales tender opportunities, click on the ‘Find Opportunities’ section on the home page. Once you have registered for the tenders you are interested in, return to the home page where you’ll find the ‘My Proposals and Quotes’ button
Submission address and any special instructions
Via the TfW Atamis Procurement Portal https://tfw.my.site.com/s/Welcome using code: C0216.Once you have registered, you will find the home screen with various access links. To view and register onto any Transport for Wales tender opportunities, click on the ‘Find Opportunities’ section on the home page. Once you have registered for the tenders you are interested in, return to the home page where you’ll find the ‘My Proposals and Quotes’ button