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Published 2 Jun 2025, 16:58 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Aggregate supply and track excavated waste

Official notice

Authority: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED (Central government)

Framework agreement2 lotsGoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitableVCSE suitableMax 1 lot per supplier
Sectors: Mining, basic metals and related products (14) Delivery: UK
Framework ceiling (notional)£1,064,000,000total for 2 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 21 Oct 2026
Lots 2max 1 won per supplier
Framework period 10 yrsends 31 Mar 2038 · up to 31 Mar 2043 with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2028

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Network Rail is seeking to establish a national framework for the supply of aggregates (including blended ballast), the management of track excavated waste (hazardous and non-hazardous), and associated rail haulage services to and from Network Rail Aggregate Handling Depots (AHDs). The framework will support the provision of materials and services required for the maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the railway infrastructure across Great Britain.

The procurement is divided into two Lots, each comprising a group of AHD locations. Tenderers may submit a bid for one or both Lots. Network Rail intends to award two framework contracts, with one supplier appointed to each Lot. Where the same Tenderer achieves the highest overall score for both Lots, the Tenderer's stated Lot preference will be applied and the remaining Lot will be awarded to the next highest-scoring eligible Tenderer. Further details of the Lot structure and AHD locations are set out in the procurement documents.

The framework also includes provision for the future implementation of Aggregate Handling Depot (AHD) operational services at designated locations. These services will not commence automatically at the framework start date. Where Network Rail elects to introduce AHD operational services during the framework term, the scope, implementation arrangements and associated charges will be agreed in accordance with the framework contract provisions. Further details are set out in the procurement documents.

Network Rail reserves the right to amend the composition of the Lots during the procurement process, including the removal of an AHD where required. Any such change will be communicated through the procurement documentation and conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

NOTE: The estimated framework value represents the total potential value across all Aggregate Handling Depots (AHDs) and the maximum framework term, including any extension option. The value is based on forecast demand and includes appropriate contractual headroom. It does not represent a guaranteed spend, minimum volume commitment, or value payable to any individual supplier. Following award, requirements will be allocated between the successful suppliers in accordance with their awarded Lot.

  • How the procedure runs: Network Rail will undertake a Competitive Flexible Procedure comprising a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by a single tender stage. Tenderers may submit a bid for Lot 1, Lot 2 or both Lots. Following evaluation of technical and commercial submissions in accordance with the published evaluation methodology, Tenderers will be ranked based on their combined technical and commercial scores for each Lot. A maximum of one Lot may be awarded to any Tenderer. Where the same Tenderer achieves the highest score for both Lots, the Tenderer’s stated Lot preference will be applied and the remaining Lot will be awarded to the next highest-scoring eligible Tenderer. Two framework contracts will be awarded, one for each Lot. Further details are set out in the procurement documents.

CPV: Ballast · Gravel, sand, crushed stone and aggregates

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
Places
up to 2 suppliers
Framework period

10 yrs · up to 15 yrs from 1 Apr 2028, The framework term exceeds the standard eight-year maximum due to the substantial capital and infrastructure investment required from suppliers to establish and maintain the rail-linked processing, blending and recycling capabilities necessary for contract delivery. Market engagement identified that suppliers would be unlikely to recover these investments within an eight-year term. A framework term of ten years, with an option to extend for up to a further five years, is therefore considered necessary to support investment, ensure ongoing market participation and competition, and facilitate the achievement of the framework's operational and sustainability objectives.

Published description of the framework

The framework will operate on a direct award basis. Two suppliers will be appointed, with each supplier allocated responsibility for a defined Lot comprising several Aggregate Handling Depots (AHDs). Contracts under the framework will be awarded directly to the supplier responsible for the relevant Lot and associated AHDs.

Pricing will be established through the tender process, with Tenderers submitting pricing for each Lot bid for in accordance with the Pricing Document. Pricing will include rates broken down by individual Aggregate Handling Depot (AHD), together with other pricing components specified in the procurement documents. The agreed prices will form the framework charges and will apply to Contract Orders issued under the framework, subject to any price adjustment mechanism set out in the framework terms and conditions.

Network Rail will issue Contract Orders under the framework to instruct the relevant Deliverables. A Contract Order will be issued on commencement of the framework to facilitate ordering and payment, with a new Contract Order issued for each Contract Year. Forecast quantities will be provided at the start of each Contract Year but will be indicative only and will not constitute a guarantee of demand or a commitment to purchase any minimum volume.

No further competition will be undertaken for the award of contracts under the framework.

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value · win at most 1 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot

Every one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £1,064,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1AHD Group ARenewal 10 yrsSMEVCSEceiling above

Provision of aggregate supply, track excavated waste management and associated rail haulage services for the following Aggregate Handling Depots (AHDs): Kingmoor, Doncaster, Crewe and Bescot.

Contract period: 1 Apr 2028 – 31 Mar 2038 (10 yrs) · up to 31 Mar 2043 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: The framework includes an option for Network Rail to introduce Aggregate Handling Depot (AHD) operational services at designated locations during the framework term. These services do not form part of the initial scope at commencement of the framework. Any implementation will be undertaken in accordance with the framework agreement and the associated contractual provisions. · The framework will have an initial term of ten (10) years. Network Rail may, at its sole discretion, extend the framework for a further period of up to five (5) years, giving a maximum potential framework term of fifteen (15) years.Second stage: 1–6 candidates invited to tender
14210000 Gravel, sand, crushed stone and aggregates14212310 Ballast
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Condition of participation

    Suppliers will be shortlisted based on the outcome of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Only suppliers that satisfy the exclusion grounds checks, meet all conditions of participation and achieve a pass on all pass/fail questions will be considered. The six highest-scoring suppliers, ranked according to their total weighted PSQ score, will be invited to participate in the tender stage.

    shortlisting
Lot #2AHD Group BRenewal 10 yrsceiling above

Provision of aggregate supply, track excavated waste management and associated rail haulage services for the following Aggregate Handling Depots (AHDs): Westbury, Whitemoor, Eastleigh and Toton.

Contract period: 1 Apr 2028 – 31 Mar 2038 (10 yrs) · up to 31 Mar 2043 with extensions
Delivery: UK
Extensions: The framework includes an option for Network Rail to introduce Aggregate Handling Depot (AHD) operational services at designated locations during the framework term. These services do not form part of the initial scope at commencement of the framework. Any implementation will be undertaken in accordance with the framework agreement and the associated contractual provisions. · The framework will have an initial term of ten (10) years. Network Rail may, at its sole discretion, extend the framework for a further period of up to five (5) years, giving a maximum potential framework term of fifteen (15) years.Second stage: 1–6 candidates invited to tender
14210000 Gravel, sand, crushed stone and aggregates14212310 Ballast
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Condition of participation

    Suppliers will be shortlisted based on the outcome of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Only suppliers that satisfy the exclusion grounds checks, meet all conditions of participation and achieve a pass on all pass/fail questions will be considered. The six highest-scoring suppliers, ranked according to their total weighted PSQ score, will be invited to participate in the tender stage.

    shortlisting

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 2 lots
Quality: 50%Price: 50%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Technical: 50%
  • Price: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Technical: Assessment of the tenderer's technical submission, including future operational delivery model, management of ballast supply and track excavated waste services, sustainability, social value, safety, resilience, capability and delivery arrangements, in accordance with the procurement documents.
  • Price: Tenderers shall submit pricing for each Lot bid for, in accordance with the Pricing Document. Prices will include rates broken down by individual Aggregate Handling Depot (AHD), together with the other pricing components and volume-based pricing requirements specified in the Pricing Document. Commercial scores will be calculated using the published proportional pricing methodology, whereby the lowest priced compliant submission for each Lot receives the maximum commercial score and all other compliant submissions are scored proportionally against it.
Lot distribution rule: A maximum of one Lot may be awarded to any Tenderer. Tenderers may submit bids for one or both Lots and will be required to state a Lot preference where bidding for multiple Lots. Where the same Tenderer achieves the highest evaluated score for more than one Lot, the Tenderer's stated Lot preference will be applied and the remaining Lot will be awarded to the next highest-scoring eligible Tenderer. The same principle may be applied where a Tenderer is eligible to be offered zero-value framework arrangements in respect of more than one Lot.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
  • Condition of participation

    Suppliers will be shortlisted based on the outcome of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Only suppliers that satisfy the exclusion grounds checks, meet all conditions of participation and achieve a pass on all pass/fail questions will be considered. The six highest-scoring suppliers, ranked according to their total weighted PSQ score, will be invited to participate in the tender stage.

    shortlisting
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • “Aggregate supply and track excavated waste” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 2 suppliers, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
2 Jun 2025, 16:58 BST
Last source update
22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 21 Jun 2027
Authority reference
SR40325
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-089760
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
BallastGravel, sand, crushed stone and aggregates
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052b08 Find a Tender
How it runs

Network Rail will undertake a Competitive Flexible Procedure comprising a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by a single tender stage.

Tenderers may submit a bid for Lot 1, Lot 2 or both Lots.

Following evaluation of technical and commercial submissions in accordance with the published evaluation methodology, Tenderers will be ranked based on their combined technical and commercial scores for each Lot.

A maximum of one Lot may be awarded to any Tenderer. Where the same Tenderer achieves the highest score for both Lots, the Tenderer’s stated Lot preference will be applied and the remaining Lot will be awarded to the next highest-scoring eligible Tenderer.

Two framework contracts will be awarded, one for each Lot.

Further details are set out in the procurement documents.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Jaggaer · Who buys & how to bid on JAGGAER
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free; latest Chrome/Edge/Firefox only — corporate browsers fail
Requests to participate (first stage)
21 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
Appointment period ends
21 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
Clarification deadline
13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html ↗

Timeline

2 Jun 2025 → 1 Apr 2028 · 7 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    2 Jun 2025, 16:58 BST
  2. Next notice expected
    1 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
  3. Tender notice published35 days ago
    22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST
  4. Clarification questions by14 days ago
    13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
  5. Admission / appointment period ends6 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    21 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
  6. Today
    28 Oct 2026
  7. Award decision expected byin 236 days
    21 Jun 2027, 23:59 BST
  8. Contract starts
    1 Apr 2028, 00:00 BST

Notice history

5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Jun 2025
  1. Pipeline notice published
    2 Jun 2025, 16:58 BST
    UK1
  2. Tender notice published
    22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value updated to £1,064,000,000
    22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST
    was £240,000,000
  4. Status changed to active
    22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    22 Sept 2026, 15:34 BST

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PNZN-9524-VCQJ Waterloo General Office, London, London, SE1 8SWContact name, email

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specificationstenderBidding documents and specificationsAccess: Additional procurement documents may be issued during the procurement process through the Network Rail Sourcing Platform (Bravo). This includes documents to be provided to shortlisted suppliers at the tender stage, together with the Lease and Sub-Lease documents referenced within the procurement documentation.

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender