Design & Construction Framework
- Buyer
- NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
- Value
- £306,500,000
- Closes
- 14 December 2026
- Where
- York
- Type
- Sets up a framework (suppliers apply to join)
In plain English
Northern Trains Limited, a passenger rail operator in the North of England, is setting up a framework (a pre-approved list of suppliers) for design, construction and building work on its stations, depots, train care centres and other property. Work will be awarded through mini-competitions or direct call-offs (individual orders placed under the framework) across seven lots, covering everything from building fit-outs to railway systems and accessible station upgrades. The framework is estimated at £306.5 million and can also be used by other participating rail operators.
What the buyer wants
• Design, surveys and project development from feasibility through to detailed design for station, depot and operational property projects. • Construction, installation, commissioning and handover of building works, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical works, and information and security systems, depending on the lot. • Delivery that meets operational, performance and customer requirements, complies with all applicable legislation, industry standards and railway-specific requirements, and minimises disruption to passengers and train operations.
Lots
- Lot 1 Internal Building Fit Outs
- Lot 2- Access and Component Movement Solutions
- Lot 3- Design & Build Specialist Train Servicing and Maintenance Solutions
- Lot 4- Multi-discipline Railway Solutions and Integrated Major Projects ≤ £1m
- Lot 5- Multi-discipline Railway Solutions and Integrated Major Projects > £1m
- Lot 6- Information and Security Systems Upgrades and Enhancements (SISS)
- Lot 7- Accessible Stations Enhancements
Requirements
What could rule a small business out: The notice only requires suppliers to be "suitably qualified and experienced" and to meet railway-specific requirements, without stating specific financial thresholds, certifications or minimum contract values, so the most likely barrier for a small business is a lack of proven railway experience and the capacity to deliver across a very large, multi-lot framework.
Always check the tender documents.
How to bid
This is a framework: the buyer picks a set of suppliers now and awards work to them over several years. If you are not on it when it is awarded, you usually cannot win work from it until it is re-tendered, so this is the window to bid.
Where to apply
Bids go through Delta eSourcing. Make a free account there, then search for this tender's title.
Questions about this tender? Email the buyer at procurement@northernrailway.co.uk.
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