Find a TenderClosedTender notice
Published 18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall

Official notice

Authority: Launceston Town Council (Local council)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdReserved for SMEs and VCSEsReserved: K02000001SME suitable
Published estimate£50,000£60,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 9 Oct 2026
Contract term 5 moends 31 Mar 2027 · starts 12 Nov 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

EXPRESSION 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 published
Lot #1 5 moSMEPublished value£50,000
Contract period: 12 Nov 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 (5 mo)Value: £50,000 exc. VAT · £60,000 inc. VAT

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

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)
Railway transport services
Delivery area
North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)South East (UKJ)
+1 moreSouth West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6 Find a Tender
Contract terms
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
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

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
  1. Tender notice published39 days ago
    18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST
  2. Clarification questions by25 days ago
    2 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
  3. Submission deadline18 days ago
    9 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
  4. Today
    28 Oct 2026
  5. Contract startsin 14 days
    12 Nov 2026

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Sept 2026, 15:12 BST
    UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Launceston Town Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PTLH-9924-HNTH Launceston Town Hall, Western Road, Launceston, South West, PL157ARContact name, email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specificationsPDFProspective 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 tenderBidding documents and specificationsDOCXWord 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 tenderBidding documents and specificationsPDFPDF 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 tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender