UK Network Rail seeks £77.6m civil engineering interest

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On 20 August, UK Network Rail launched an invitation for expressions of interest for the Wales and Western region railway civil engineering delivery framework, with an estimated total value of £77.6 million (excluding VAT), approximately £93.12 million including VAT. Suppliers must confirm their intention to participate through the railway industry supplier qualification system RISQS by 28 August; companies that do not submit an expression of interest will not proceed to the subsequent pre-qualification stage.

The framework is divided into two lots: Lot 1 covers rock slope remediation and drainage works in the Wales region, with an estimated value of £40.8 million; Lot 2 covers similar works in the Western region, with an estimated value of £36.8 million. Companies may apply for both lots simultaneously, but ultimately can be awarded only one of the two lots, as Network Rail plans to select contractors for each region separately.

The scope of works includes repair of railway rock cuttings, slope protection, rock scaling, rock net installation, earthworks drainage, and cavity remediation. Contractors will undertake site investigation, ground surveys, feasibility studies, preliminary design, detailed design, construction, and handover based on project maturity, primarily adopting a design-build integrated model. For projects with complete designs already in place, Network Rail may also issue construction tasks directly; complex or bespoke works may be priced and delivered through secondary competition within the framework.

The framework is scheduled to commence on 10 December 2026, with an initial term of three years, ending on 10 December 2029, and includes two one-year extension options, allowing for extension up to December 2031. The current stage is supplier expression of interest registration, not a final contract award; the subsequent pre-qualification will be conducted through Network Rail's Bravo e-procurement platform.

Applicant companies must complete RISQS registration and hold relevant qualification codes for earthworks drainage, rock netting, and rock scaling. As the works will be carried out within an operational railway environment, companies must also hold a valid Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence at the time the invitation to pre-qualify is issued. Being awarded survey or design tasks does not mean contractors will automatically receive subsequent construction contracts.