The rail industry is calling on the UK’s brightest minds to help shape the future of transport, inviting creators, problem-solvers and disruptors from every corner of the country to help improve sustainability, safety and accessibility across Britain’s rail network.
Through Future Labs, the public ownership flagship innovation programme, Britain’s train operators are seeking pioneering solutions to four of rail’s toughest challenges.
DFTO train operators have environmental and sustainability targets, whether that is for their overall carbon emissions, or specific to certain parts of their operations. In stations, we want to meet targets such as the creation of net zero stations.
Severe weather events are occurring more frequently and are already impacting our operations. There is a risk that such events may impact our ability to provide a safe and operational environments for our customers and people in the future.
We also know that energy generation comes from a variety of sources, and not all are renewable (low carbon intensive). As a consumer of electricity, DFTO operators cannot stipulate exactly where our electricity comes from, and the balance of power sources is very weather dependent. Although we may have purchased green energy financially, this does not mean that we are actually consuming green energy (this is a financial arrangement only). Energy production and transmission is based on regional generation and whole network loading, which is managed entirely by National Grid. There are current plans to install battery storage within some stations to store greener energy, either from onsite generation, or from when the local grid is providing low carbon intensity energy.
When it comes to energy resilience, Future Labs is seeking new ways to generate, store and manage clean energy directly on-site. Innovators are encouraged to explore how battery systems, solar power or novel technologies could help stations become self-sufficient, resilient and low carbon, even in the face of disruption.
Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in scope:
•LNER,
•TransPennine Express, Northern Trains,
•Southeastern,
•South Western Railway,
•c2c
•West Midlands Railway
•London Northwestern Railway and
•Greater Anglia.
Objectives of the engagement
The contracting authority wishes to engage with the market to:
•Understand market capability and capacity
•Explore potential delivery models and commercial approaches
•Inform the scope, structure and procurement strategy of any future process
RFI for provision of Terminal Ground staff & Train Driver Duties
To support our Intermodal rail services NTS is currently seeking to understand the capabilities of the market for the provision of competent personnel for the following requirements:
• Competent personnel to perform ground staff duties covering Train Preparation, Shunting and Driver Operator duties at various rail terminals
• Competent personnel ad-hoc hire of Mainline Train Driver duties throughout the UK.
Direct Rail Services LimitedNorth West9 Jun 2026WAC-597315
Delivery of Bikeability Core Training and Learn To Ride Training
Oldham Council are seeking to appoint a Contractor to deliver Bikeability Core Training and Learn To Ride Training for the period 1st September 2026 - 31st March 2029.
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council24 Jun 2026WAC-603630
CCS set up a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for a period of 48 months with the extension option of 24 months. A further extension period of 43 months has been implemented. The total duration of this DPS is 9 years and 7 months and the end date is 27 October 2028.
Bidders can request to participate for this DPS for its 115 month duration including any extension periods.
This DPS is being procured under the Light Touch Regime (LTR), and is subject to limited regulations, in
accordance with Regulations 74-76 PCR2015. This DPS provides central government and wider public sector with the opportunity to procure services within the scope of the existing and new Apprenticeship Standards for
England (SASE) live Frameworks, Apprenticeships Standards, End Point Assessments (EPAs); and related services via a number of Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) registered suppliers on the Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) Register and or the Register of EPA Organisations (RoEPAO). CCS reserve the right to reduce, extend or terminate the DPS period at any time during its life time; as set out in the terms of the DMP Agreement.
Additional information: CCS set up a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for a period of 48 months with the extension option of 24 months. A further extension period of 43 months has been implemented. The total duration of this DPS is 9 years and 7 months and the end date is 27 October 2028.
Please be aware the dates input in the 'Contract Start Date' and 'Contract End Date' have been revised to enable the opportunity to remain open on Contracts Finder. The 'Closing Date' input is correct and is a true reflection of the contract end date for RM6102 - Apprenticeship Training Dynamic Marketplace.
Please note that the original notice(s) for the RM6102 Apprenticeship Training DPS were published on Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) and Contracts Finder. As access to TED is no longer held this notice has been published on Find a Tender Service (FTS) for transparency. All relevant links can be found within the Contracts Finder notice.
Crown Commercial ServiceNorth West27 Oct 2028WAC-526501
View 5-notice timelineLatest notice released 27 Oct 2028
Public SectorTender
Learning and Training Services DPS Extension Notice
This DPS allows for the provision of training services to be utilised by UK Public Sector Bodies, including the wider public sector and the third sector including but not limited to: local government, combined authorities, health, police, fire and rescue, housing associations, charities, education, devolved administrations and Central Government Departments and their arm's length bodies and their agencies.
The core requirement of the learning and training services shall include but not be limited to the one or a combination of services in each of the following four (4) distinct Service Types:
Standard Off the Shelf Training
Bespoke training
Learning Technologies
Education Services
Additional information: CCS set up a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for an initial period of 48 months with the extension option of 24 months. A further extension has been agreed and will be utilised and the end date of this DPS will now be 27/10/2028.
The contract value of the RM6219 Learning and Training Services DPS has been uplifted by 50% (from £300m to £450m).
Please note the Closing Date, Contract Start Date and Contract End dates have been manipulated to support compatibility system issues. However please refer to the contract notice for the correct dates, timelines etc.
Crown Commercial ServiceNorth West27 Oct 2028WAC-351899
CCS set up a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for an initial period of 48 months with the extension option of 24 months. A further extension has been agreed and will be utilised and the end date of this DPS will now be 27/10/2028.
The contract value of the RM6219 Learning and Training Services DPS has been uplifted by 50% (from £300m to £450m).
This DPS was procured under the Light Touch Regime (LTR), and will subject to limited regulations, in accordance with Regulations 74-76 PCR2015.
This DPS allows for the provision of training services to be utilised by UK Public Sector Bodies, particularly benefitting the wider public sector and the third sector, but not excluding central government - more information around eligible users of the DPS can be found in the Additional Information Section VI.3
The aim of this DPS will be to provide access to a variety of providers offering a range of high quality blended learning and development services designed to meet the needs of UK Public Sector Bodies that will cover, but will not be limited to:
● Off the shelf training
● Bespoke specialist training
Further information is included in the Additional Information section VI.3
The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial ServiceNorth West27 Oct 2028WAC-49211
View 11-notice timelineLatest notice released 27 Oct 2028
Public SectorTender
Apprenticeships Training Marketplace Extension Notice
CCS set up a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for a period of 48 months with the extension option of 24 months. A further extension period of 43 months has been implemented. The total duration of this DPS is 9 years and 7 months and the end date is 27 October 2028.
Bidders can request to participate for this DPS for its 115 month duration including any extension periods.
This DPS is being procured under the Light Touch Regime (LTR), and is subject to limited regulations, in
accordance with Regulations 74-76 PCR2015. This DPS provides central government and wider public sector with the opportunity to procure services within the scope of the existing and new Apprenticeship Standards for
England (SASE) live Frameworks, Apprenticeships Standards, End Point Assessments (EPAs); and related services via a number of Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) registered suppliers on the Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) Register and or the Register of EPA Organisations (RoEPAO). CCS reserve the right to reduce, extend or terminate the DPS period at any time during its life time; as set out in the terms of the DMP Agreement.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial ServiceNorth West28 Oct 2028WAC-49537
TPT519 - Asset Management / Maintenance of Station Information & Security Systems (SISS)
TransPennine Trains Limited (TPT) is seeking to procure a supplier for the provision of Station Information and Security Systems (SISS) maintenance and asset management services across its station network. The contract will cover approximately 3,800 SISS assets across 19 stations in the North of England, including Customer Information Systems, CCTV, public address systems, passenger help points and all associated telecommunications, network infrastructure, power supplies and supporting equipment forming the SISS estate.
The scope includes delivery of a comprehensive planned preventative maintenance regime and responsive reactive maintenance services to ensure asset availability and performance in line with defined service levels. The supplier will be responsible for operating a service management and helpdesk function, maintaining a robust asset management system and undertaking full asset verification in the first year, followed by ongoing management of an accurate asset database.
Services will be delivered across a varied station portfolio, requiring the ability to prioritise faults based on operational impact and work safely within a live railway environment, including undertaking activities on or near the line where required. The supplier will also support asset lifecycle management, including interfacing with enhancement schemes such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade and other third‐party projects, and delivering minor works including small‐scale renewals, enhancements and asset modifications.
The contract requires a technologically capable supplier able to support remote monitoring and a proactive maintenance approach to improve reliability and performance. Delivery will be monitored through defined service levels, reporting requirements and structured governance arrangements. The contract is intended to provide a high‐availability, safety‐critical maintenance service supporting operational performance, passenger experience and long‐term management of SISS assets.
TransPennine Trains Limited (TPT) is exploring options to enhance its financial forecasting and planning capability, with a view to potentially procuring a solution and/or associated services. The current environment comprises multiple systems and spreadsheet-based processes, resulting in fragmented data, manual consolidation, and limitations in scenario modelling, governance and integration.
TPT is seeking to understand how the market could support improved integration across finance and operational systems, alongside enhanced budgeting, forecasting, planning and reporting capabilities. Any future requirement is expected to include driver-based modelling, improved data integration, and strengthened workflow, version control and audit functionality, as well as more accessible reporting and increased agility in supporting rolling forecasts.
TPT is not prescribing a specific solution model at this stage and may consider a range of approaches, including platform solutions, enhancement of existing systems, modular or phased delivery, or service-led / hybrid models. The outcome of this process will inform any potential future procurement and the scope of any subsequent requirement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Manchester:-Software-package-and-information-systems./G9X42DRUE7
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/G9X42DRUE7
Off-the-shelf Training Courses for the NDA Group (Cluster Contract) procured as a direct award to the winning suppliers of the CCS Learning Framework 2.0. on 3 separate Lots. The suppliers have not yet been announced and the LF 2.0 has been delayed several times. The contract start date will depend on the LF 2.0 start date and can vary accordingly.
TPT is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and financially robust Supplier to deliver Station Security Services across 7 of TPT’s managed stations and additional locations.
This contract will replace the current arrangements which expire on 1st May 2027 and is critical to maintaining safe, compliant, and customer focused operations.
The contract will be managed by the Safeguarding & Crime Prevention Directorate.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Manchester:-Public-security%2C-law-and-order-services./68G62VV4MZ
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/68G62VV4MZ