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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Operations processing system (TOPS & POIS)

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 09:37.

Opportunity overview

The TOPS and POIS Replacement Project is required to deliver a solution to replace in-use functionality of the existing application under the adoption of modern technologies, thus avoiding innovation limitation, technical debt, operational risk and extended support agreements for these two mission critical services. TOPS is a mainframe system procured by British Rail (BR) from Southern Pacific in the early 1970s. It is a complex, command-driven system, originally designed for the management and control of freight vehicles and trains to provide real-time information of the whereabouts, loading, consignee, condition, etc. of freight vehicles. Since the introduction of TOPS to BR, the system has been expanded to handle locomotive activities and information about loco-hauled passenger operations, via a sub-system named POIS. The average freight traffic is currently 500 trains per day but may increase going forward.

Classification

  • CPV72212100 — Industry specific software development services
  • CPV48000000 — Software package and information systems
  • CPV48100000 — Industry specific software package
  • CPV72222300 — Information technology services

Lots

  • The TOPS and POIS Replacement Project is required to deliver a solution to replace in-use functionality of the existing application under the adoption of modern technologies, thus avoiding innovation limitation, technical debt, operational risk and extended support agreements for these two mission critical services. TOPS is a mainframe system procured by British Rail (BR) from Southern Pacific in the early 1970s. It is a complex, command-driven system, originally designed for the management and control of freight vehicles and trains to provide real-time information of the whereabouts, loading, consignee, condition, etc. of freight vehicles. Since the introduction of TOPS to BR, the system has been expanded to handle locomotive activities and information about loco-hauled passenger operations, via a sub-system named POIS. The average freight traffic is currently 500 trains per day but may increase going forward. Additional information: Network Rail are planning to issue an ITT via the competitive Flexible Procedure Q1/Q2 of 2026. This is a prior notice of our intent to issue the ITT.Value not stated

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-059fe0
Status
planned
Main Procurement Category
services

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Communication

Future Notice Date
21 Aug 2025, 00:00

Classification

Id
72212100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Industry specific software development services

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planned
Description
The TOPS and POIS Replacement Project is required to deliver a solution to replace in-use functionality of the existing application under the adoption of modern technologies, thus avoiding innovation limitation, technical debt, operational risk and extended support agreements for these two mission critical services. TOPS is a mainframe system procured by British Rail (BR) from Southern Pacific in the early 1970s. It is a complex, command-driven system, originally designed for the management and control of freight vehicles and trains to provide real-time information of the whereabouts, loading, consignee, condition, etc. of freight vehicles. Since the introduction of TOPS to BR, the system has been expanded to handle locomotive activities and information about loco-hauled passenger operations, via a sub-system named POIS. The average freight traffic is currently 500 trains per day but may increase going forward. Additional information: Network Rail are planning to issue an ITT via the competitive Flexible Procedure Q1/Q2 of 2026. This is a prior notice of our intent to issue the ITT.

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
48000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Software package and information systems
Entry 2
Id
48100000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Industry specific software package
Entry 3
Id
72222300
Scheme
CPV
Description
Information technology services

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-79855
Name
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UK
Locality
London
Postal Code
SE1 8SW
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Waterloo General Offices

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
BODY_PUBLIC
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Body governed by public law
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Contact

Name
Brent Murgatroyd
Telephone
+44 1908781000

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UK · SE1 8SW · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-059fe0-2025-09-23T10:37:21+01:00compiled ·