Economic analysis of access applications

Buyer

Office of Rail and Road

Value

£95,000

Closes

9 November 2026

Where

London

Type

Open tender

In plain English

The Office of Rail and Road (the rail regulator) wants a consultancy firm to carry out economic analysis to help it decide four applications from train operators. The operators want rights to run passenger or freight services on Network Rail's track, and the regulator needs independent financial and economic evidence before it approves or determines each application. The contract is worth about £95,000.

What the buyer wants

• Carry out economic analysis of four track access applications, covering effects such as competition, capacity and the impact on government funds. • Produce clear written reports that ORR can use to support its decisions under the Railways Act 1993. • Present findings to ORR staff and respond to questions during the assessment process.

Likely requirements

Our reading of the notice. Always check the tender documents.

The main barrier is the need for specialist economic analysis and rail regulation expertise, which a small firm without a qualified economist and relevant rail sector track record would struggle to evidence.

How to bid

This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.

How to write a tender response

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