Official UK procurement notice
Technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall
Authority: Launceston Town Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionEXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Launceston Town Council, has secured grant funding from Cornwall Council, and is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced and qualified consultants to undertake a study into the technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, as part of a long-term strategic review of rail transport in Cornwall.
The council is electing to use a 'restricted' method for shortlisting suitable consultants who can demonstrate appropriate experience of outline strategic planning in the rail sector. This two-stage process allows suppliers to express an interest by going through an initial pre-qualification stage. Only selected suppliers will be asked to complete the full tender document. Potential suppliers are encouraged to read the attached Consultants' Brief, which describes the study, its background and the required output.
CPV: Railway transport services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1Published value£50,000
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).
Lot awarding rule: The consultant must demonstrate relevant knowledge and experience including: *Design of railway route alignments and profiles, for both passenger and freight *Strategic evaluation of transport corridors *Evaluation of alternative options (optioneering) *An understanding of the concept described in the Brief, including its aims and objectives *Some experience of preparing Strategic Outline Business Cases (SOBCs) for railway projects (preferred but not essential) *Working with local government (preferred but not essential) Launceston Town Council will evaluate the Expression of Interest submissions received, shortlist qualifying suppliers, and invite them to tender for the project. Registration of interest does not imply inclusion on the tender shortlist. See page 2 in the attached submission document for full timeline details. EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Interested suppliers are asked to submit Expressions of Interest, referring to the selection criteria below and to include (Max 1000 words/2 sides of A4): *Brief details of any similar studies undertaken by the consultant *The name and brief résumé of the lead consultant who will undertake the study *An outline of the proposed methodology, including proposed use of IT and AI *An outline of the anticipated output and its presentation And: *A completed business questionnaire and declaration on pages 3 - 4 of the submission document. Selection Criteria: The expressions of interest will be scored against the following criteria: *Proven experience - technical evaluation of transport corridors and railway alignments *Intended approach to the study - understanding of the strategic intent *Experience as Lead Consultant *Proposed methodology and resultant output *Availability to complete the study by 31 March 2027 *Business Questionnaire
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Below threshold - open competition
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Below threshold
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088787- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6Find a Tender
- Reserved participation area
- K02000001
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 9 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 2 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Electronic submission
- Not allowed
The Town Clerk
Launceston Town Council,
Town Hall,
Western Road,
Launceston, PL15 7AR
Please mark the envelope
CONFIDENTIAL - LAUNCESTON RAIL PROJECT - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Timeline
18 Sept 2026 → 12 Nov 2026 · 4 dates- Tender notice published39 days ago18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST
- Clarification questions by25 days ago2 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission deadline18 days ago9 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today28 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 14 days12 Nov 2026
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Prospective tenderers are recommended to read this this document as it contextualises the project, as well as identifying technical details and assumptions.
- Bidding documents and specifications Word Version - This is the submission document for Expressions of Interest. It gives details how the EOI should be submitted and how submissions will be assessed. It contains a project timeline and the business and legal questionnaire.
- Bidding documents and specifications PDF Version - This is the submission document for Expressions of Interest. It gives details how the EOI should be submitted and how submissions will be assessed. It contains a project timeline and the business and legal questionnaire.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender