Official UK procurement notice
TRU W2BC Tunnel Tender - ES5-8 Tender Notice
Authority: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe W2BC is part of the wider set of enhancement schemes across the North of England, referred to as the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The key objective of these schemes is to facilitate the economic growth of the North of England through the provision of increased
capacities and journey time improvements to rail services whilst achieving value for money.
The W2BC Project involves works of a multi-disciplinary nature between Stalybridge and Huddersfield. Project Scope of works includes:
Line speed increases,
W12 gauge clearance throughout including 3x tunnels,
substantial changes to 4x stations,
significant volumes of track renewals,
signalling work,
full route electrification and additional capacity provided by a new third line from Standedge to Gledholt.
Stalybridge and Scout Tunnels require significant lowering and the installation of slab track to enable W12 gauge clearance. This is specialist due to the temporary work requirements to ensure stability of the tunnels throughout the scheme and logistical constraints due to the location of the tunnels.
- How the procedure runs: The next stage following the PSQ will be the issue of the ITT to the four highest ranked suppliers that meet the mandatory requirements. The ITT will seek tender submissions for the tunnel package covering Stalybridge and Scout Tunnels, including the ES5 design development activities and the proposed delivery approach for ES6–8 construction and closeout. Tender responses will be evaluated across the relevant qualification, technical and commercial requirements to identify the most advantageous tender for this specialist tunnels package. Following completion of evaluation and approvals, Network Rail will award ES5 and then work with the successful supplier to develop sufficient design maturity and robust target costs to support the subsequent award of ES6–8, subject to the funding envelope and budget available for the works.
- No preliminary market engagement: We had previously done market engagement for the W2bc project in April 2024, tunnels was part of that scope.
CPV: Track construction works
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1Published value£64,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
- Supplier Financial Health Model Score greater than or equal to 40%.
- Debarment Details
- The following insurances in place post contract award:
- Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £10m
- Public Liability Insurance = £10m
- Professional Indemnity Insurance = £10m
- Registry with the CDP (Central Digital Platform)
- Technical & professional ability
Supplier Capability
As part of the supplier selection assessment, suppliers must demonstrate that they possess the necessary technical capability and professional competence to deliver the contract.
In order to participate in this procurement process, suppliers must demonstrate that they:
- Hold appropriate Principal Contractor qualifications relevant to the delivery of the works and in accordance with applicable health and safety legislation.
- Have demonstrable experience of acting as Principal Contractor on comparable projects.
- Have the capability and competence to manage possessions and access arrangements safely and effectively where works are required within operational or controlled infrastructure environments.
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).
Published sub-criteria (1)
- Technical and Methodology: 100%
Published award criteria (1)
- Technical and Methodology: PSQ 100% ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - 25% TECHNICAL METHODOLOGY & QUALITY - 35% HEALTH & SAFETY - 10% SUSTAINABILITY/ENVIRONMENTAL - SOCIAL VALUE - 10% INTEGRATION -10% ISO44001/Collaboration - 10% ITT Technical: 70% Commercial & Pricing Evaluation – 30%
- Economic & financial standing
- Supplier Financial Health Model Score greater than or equal to 40%.
- Debarment Details
- The following insurances in place post contract award:
- Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £10m
- Public Liability Insurance = £10m
- Professional Indemnity Insurance = £10m
- Registry with the CDP (Central Digital Platform)
- Technical & professional ability
Supplier Capability
As part of the supplier selection assessment, suppliers must demonstrate that they possess the necessary technical capability and professional competence to deliver the contract.
In order to participate in this procurement process, suppliers must demonstrate that they:
- Hold appropriate Principal Contractor qualifications relevant to the delivery of the works and in accordance with applicable health and safety legislation.
- Have demonstrable experience of acting as Principal Contractor on comparable projects.
- Have the capability and competence to manage possessions and access arrangements safely and effectively where works are required within operational or controlled infrastructure environments.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Works
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 8 Jun 2026, 14:29 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Jun 2026, 14:29 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 31 Mar 2027
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-053834- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06afdfFind a Tender
- How it runs
The next stage following the PSQ will be the issue of the ITT to the four highest ranked suppliers that meet the mandatory requirements. The ITT will seek tender submissions for the tunnel package covering Stalybridge and Scout Tunnels, including the ES5 design development activities and the proposed delivery approach for ES6–8 construction and closeout. Tender responses will be evaluated across the relevant qualification, technical and commercial requirements to identify the most advantageous tender for this specialist tunnels package. Following completion of evaluation and approvals, Network Rail will award ES5 and then work with the successful supplier to develop sufficient design maturity and robust target costs to support the subsequent award of ES6–8, subject to the funding envelope and budget available for the works.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 10 Jul 2026, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 10 Jul 2026, 15:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 3 Jul 2026, 15:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
8 Jun 2026 → 30 Apr 2027 · 5 dates- Tender notice published145 days ago8 Jun 2026, 14:29 BST
- Clarification questions by120 days ago3 Jul 2026, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline113 days ago10 Jul 2026, 15:00 BST
- Today31 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 151 days31 Mar 2027, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 180 days30 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published8 Jun 2026, 14:29 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Via Bravo under PQQ_3920
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender