Official UK procurement notice
Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators- Release 2
Authority: Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer) (Public body)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionTransport for Wales Rail (TfWRL) are in-housing the co-ordination and management of Rail Replacement Service (RRS) across Wales and Border routes operated by TfWRL within Wales and between Wales and England. Or any such route operated by TfW as may arise in future.
This means that all pre-planned and emergency rail replacement services currently provided by coach and bus operators through an aggregator agreement, will be contracted for as services, directly by TfWRL.
This procurement also includes the requirement for adhoc travel services to be commissioned via this framework as they arise.
Based upon 25/26 Financial year data, approximately 6,000 emergency duties and 21,000 planned duties were delivered by circa 110 different operators.
It is currently intended the Open Framework will run for the maximum 8 year term.
This procurement relates to the second opening of the Rail Replacement Services Open Framework and provides an opportunity for additional operators to apply for the framework and current operators to update their submissions. Full information of how to do so is included in the ITT pack.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 5 Jul 2027, 23:59 BST.
- How the procedure runs: Refer to ITT Volume 1 for full details. Single Stage Procurement. Step 1 - Participation Stage - not used for down selection. All Tenderers must pass this stage to be appointed to the Framework. Step 2 - Technical responses will be evaluated and the Commercial responses will be checked for accuracy/errors or omissions. Step 3 - Dialogue - the Authority reserves the right to hold a dialogue stage with some or all operators if needed to clarify any complex queries arising. Any changes to the specification or Terms and Conditions would be communicated to all bidders. This is to ensure any unforeseen issues arising can be dealt with effectively and supports the assurance process that the Authority requirement is understood and the Tenderer offer and ability to provide the service is consistent with the requirement. Step 4 - Notify Bidders if they are successful in being appointed to the framework and provide assessment summaries. Step 5 - Calling off under the framework - the quality scores and commercial rate card will be imported into a separate 'end to end' system within which duties are calculated and the ranked order of bidders determined in accordance with the award methodology (price/quality weighting) described in the ITT). Each duty/blockade is effectively an individual competition. As this is the second release of the Open Framework, operators already assigned to the framework are still required to respond. Full details of how to do so are included in the ITT pack.
CPV: Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver · Non-scheduled passenger transport · Public road transport services · Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Framework period
- 7 yrs 8 mo from 7 Dec 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Oct 2034
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
Published description of the framework
Operators will be required to pass all of the first stage selection questions to be appointed to the framework.
The operators technical and commercial submissions for Lot 1 and Lot 2 shall be imported into the end to end system on a weighted basis and used to determine the ranked order for calling off under the Framework taking into account relevant information regarding the location and delivery of the services where appropriate.
Lot 1 - Emergency - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be contacted by telephone, email or text message to offer the duty. The nature of the emergency will determine how much time Operators have to respond e.g. If a higher ranked operator is contacted and fails to accept the duty within the prescribed timescale, the duty will be offered to the next highest ranked operator. Operators may also be contacted simultaneously and the duty offered to the first to respond regardless of ranked position.
Lot 2 - Pre-Planned - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be requested to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) within a prescribed timeframe. Upon receipt of the EOI, the duty will be offered in line with the ranked order.
Lot 3 - Mini Competition - All Operators appointed to Lot 2, will automatically be invited to mini competitions under Lot 3. The quality scores for the technical questions at the time the framework was established will be carried forward and added to the price score on a weighted basis to create the combined ranking. The duty/blockade will be offered to the highest ranked operator.
In all cases, duties/blockades will only be offered to operators with the vehicle and disc capacity.
Full details of the process are explained in the ITT pack.
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lotLot #1Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)Published value£28,353,016
Duties to be offered with up to 48 Hours Notice.
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
Lot #2Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-PlannedPublished value£40,504,308
Part 2 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (48 hours to 14 days)
Part 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (over 14 days)
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
Lot #3Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days)Published value£12,151,292
Larger groups of duties/blockades over a longer period of time. Each variable, dependant upon the specific need for rail replacement services at the time.
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
- Economic & financial standing
As described in the ITT pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As described in the ITT pack.
- “Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators- Release 2” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- 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
- Yes · next expected 5 Jul 2027
- First published
- 16 Sept 2026, 15:54 BST
- Last source update
- 2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 7 Dec 2026
- Authority reference
TfW0993.02- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-093451- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
30 Days for traditional PO invoice payment and 14 days if automated billing processes are adopted.
- How it runs
Refer to ITT Volume 1 for full details.
Single Stage Procurement.
Step 1 - Participation Stage - not used for down selection. All Tenderers must pass this stage to be appointed to the Framework.
Step 2 - Technical responses will be evaluated and the Commercial responses will be checked for accuracy/errors or omissions.
Step 3 - Dialogue - the Authority reserves the right to hold a dialogue stage with some or all operators if needed to clarify any complex queries arising. Any changes to the specification or Terms and Conditions would be communicated to all bidders. This is to ensure any unforeseen issues arising can be dealt with effectively and supports the assurance process that the Authority requirement is understood and the Tenderer offer and ability to provide the service is consistent with the requirement.
Step 4 - Notify Bidders if they are successful in being appointed to the framework and provide assessment summaries.
Step 5 - Calling off under the framework - the quality scores and commercial rate card will be imported into a separate 'end to end' system within which duties are calculated and the ranked order of bidders determined in accordance with the award methodology (price/quality weighting) described in the ITT). Each duty/blockade is effectively an individual competition.
As this is the second release of the Open Framework, operators already assigned to the framework are still required to respond. Full details of how to do so are included in the ITT pack.
- Earlier procedure Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators
- Risks
Examples of known risks at the framework level include:
Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles.
Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services.
Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services.
Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include:
Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate.
Late cancellation of duties
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 27 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 22 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en, cy
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
Timeline
16 Sept 2026 → 7 Dec 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published41 days ago16 Sept 2026, 15:54 BST
- Market engagement28 days ago28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
Following the successful launch of the initial open framework earlier in 2026, TfWRL is seeking to engage with potential new suppliers ahead of the second opening of the framework.
TfWRL invites bus, coach and minibus operators to attend a market engagement webinar to learn more about:
*The Rail Replacement Services framework and upcoming Release 2 opportunity.
*How the Open Framework operates and the benefits of participation.
*Opportunities for new operators to join the framework.
*The anticipated procurement timetable.
*Tender support available to suppliers.
*Questions and answers with the TfWRL project team.
The indicative timetable is:
*Market Engagement Webinar for operators already appointed to the framework: 25/09/26.
*Market Engagement Webinar for new operators interested in learning more about this opportunity: 28/09/26.
*Tender Publication: Late September 2026
*Tender Closing Date: Late October 2026
*Evaluation and Award: Early December 2026
The dates provided are indicative and may be amended at the Authority's discretion.
In order to register your interest for the Market Engagement Webinar for new operators on 28th September, please contact supplychain@tfw.wales with Rail Replacement Webinar in the subject of your email.
The previous UK2 unique identifying reference for the initial establishment of the open framework was: ocds-h6vhtk-060348
- Next notice expected27 days ago29 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published25 days ago2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BST
- Clarification questions by4 days ago22 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends5h ago · period end, not a bid countdown27 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 40 days7 Dec 2026
- Award decision expected byin 41 days7 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
Notice history
8 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Sept 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published16 Sept 2026, 15:54 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published21 Sept 2026, 11:54 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published23 Sept 2026, 08:59 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £81,008,6162 Oct 2026, 15:14 BSTwas £71,576,858
- Status changed to active2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BST
- Procurement method changed2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BST
- Deadline published: 27 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT2 Oct 2026, 15:14 BST
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2026-09: 2 releases · 16 Sept 2026, 21 Sept 2026
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Transport for WalesContracting authorityPublic undertakingWelsh devolved regulations apply
Official documents & specifications (7)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Technical specifications As described in the ITT pack.
- Bidding documents and specifications All documents will be released at the same time the tender notice is published. If additional documents are identified as being needed, these will be made available via the nominated e-procurement portal - Atamis.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender