Construction Contract Leads

Scope

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.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

• £1,064,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,276,800,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2038
• Possible extension to 31 March 2043
• 15 years

Description of possible extension:

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.

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

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.

Main procurement category

Goods

CPV classifications

• 14210000 - Gravel, sand, crushed stone and aggregates
• 14212310 - Ballast

Contract locations

• UK - United Kingdom

Lot constraints

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:

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.

Lot 1. AHD Group A

Description

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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,064,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,276,800,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot 2. AHD Group B

Description

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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,064,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,276,800,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

2

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Justification for framework term over 8 years

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.

Framework operation description

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.

Award method when using the framework

Without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only

Submission

Enquiry deadline

13 October 2026, 5:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

21 October 2026, 5:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Suppliers to be invited to tender

Lot 1. AHD Group A

Lot 2. AHD Group B

1 to 6 suppliers per lot

Selection criteria:

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. per lot

Award decision date (estimated)

21 June 2027

Award criteria

Other information

Applicable trade agreements

• Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Special regime

Utilities

Competitive flexible procedure description

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.

Documents

Documents to be provided after the tender notice

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.

Contracting authority

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ

Waterloo General Office

London

SE1 8SW

United Kingdom

Contact name: Shazea Hussain

Email: shazea.hussain [at] networkrail.co.uk

Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/

Region: UKI45 - Lambeth

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

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