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Scope

Description

The 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.

Total value (estimated)

• £64,000,000 excluding VAT
• £76,800,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 30 April 2027 to 27 April 2035
• 7 years, 11 months, 28 days

Main procurement category

Works

CPV classifications

• 45234116 - Track construction works

Contract locations

• UK - United Kingdom

Participation

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation

1. Supplier Financial Health Model Score greater than or equal to 40%.

2. Debarment Details

3. The following insurances in place post contract award:

- Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £10m

- Public Liability Insurance = £10m

- Professional Indemnity Insurance = £10m

4. Registry with the CDP (Central Digital Platform)

Technical ability conditions of participation

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.

Submission

Enquiry deadline

3 July 2026, 3:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

10 July 2026, 3:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

PSQ_3920

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Suppliers to be invited to tender

Minimum 4 suppliers

Award decision date (estimated)

31 March 2027

Award criteria

Other information

Applicable trade agreements

• Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Special regime

Utilities

Competitive flexible procedure description

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.

Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice

We had previously done market engagement for the W2bc project in April 2024, tunnels was part of that scope.

Documents

Documents to be provided after the tender notice

Via Bravo under PQQ_3920

Contracting authority

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ

Waterloo General Office

London

SE1 8SW

United Kingdom

Contact name: Kerry Kniveton

Email: truw2bcprocurement [at] networkrail.co.uk

Website: /

Region: UKI45 - Lambeth

Organisation type: Public authority - central government