ProcuraAxisBeta
Sign inCreate Free Account
Home / Opportunities / Opportunity
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Market Research Services

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 14:22.

Opportunity overview

Network Rail procures B2C/B2B/CX research services & commercial/consumer market intelligence to support internal and external communications, marketing & engagement activities. This is currently done via a multi-lot framework with multiple suppliers per lot to facilitate both short- and long- term projects with call off mechanisms varying subject to value. NR is undertaking market engagement via a questionnaire to help understand how to potentially retender these services. Any eventual procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. This Tender notice is linked to preliminary market engagement notice reference: ocds- h6vhtk - 060cc9

Classification

  • CPV79310000 — Market research services

Lots

  • Communications£28.8m
  • Commercial Property & Retail£8.6m

Documents and notices

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
project_45336
Status
active
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
Tenders must be submitted by Bravo electronically. Suppliers can register here for the platform: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html The opportunity listing where the procurement event can be accessed can be found here: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60720 This link provides access to the PSQ events wherein all documentation required is attached for Participants to view and access. Participants must complete the PSQ below regardless of what lot(s) they intend to participate in: PSQ pqq_3909 Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS Participants will then complete one or both of the below PSQs subject to if they want to participate in Lot 1, Lot 2 or both: PSQ pqq_3910 Market Research Framework PSQ 2 - Lot 1 Requirements PSQ pqq_3911 Market Research Framework PSQ 3 - Lot 2 Requirements The shortlisted Participants invited to Tender must then complete the below ITT regardless of which lot they wish to tender for: ITT itt_19471 Market Research Framework ITT 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS ALL LOTS Shortlisted Participants will then be invited to the relevant ITTs per lot they declared themselves as bidding for in the PSQ stages: ITT itt_19476 Market Research Framework ITT 2 - Lot 1 Requirements ITT itt_19475 Market Research Framework ITT 3 - Lot 2 Requirements ITT itt_19535 - Market Research Framework ITT4 Lot 1 Commercial Submission: Contains the commercial submission for Lot 1. ITT itt_19536 - Market Research Framework ITT5 Lot 2 Commercial Submission: Contains the commercial submission for Lot 2. Failure to complete the common requirements PSQ and/or ITT alongside your lot specific submissions will result in an incomplete bid and Network Rail may not be able to assess them. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete submission and Network Rail may be unable to consider your response(s) and this could lead to exclusion. The deadline for PSQ submissions is 12:00 20/07/2026 with clarifications relating to the PSQ stage closing on 13/07/2026 at 17:00. Clarifications for the Tender stage will be confirmed later in the process but provisionally tender submissions for shortlisted participants will be required by 30/09/2026 at 17:00 with clarifications relating to the ITT stage closing by 23/09/2026 at 17:00.
Expression Of Interest Deadline
20 Jul 2026, 12:00
Has Recurrence
Yes
Published risks
The transition to Great British Railways could alter the scope of services required rendering the Agreement no longer be suitable. The full scope of potential changes/risks to this reform could bring are not yet fully known. Scope elements affected/requiring change may include but not be limited to: • Greater geographic scope • Changes to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities • Changes to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities • Additional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs • Changes to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data • Changes how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms • Other changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways Where possible such changes will be managed via Variations with the Supplier(s) as per Clause 28 of the terms and conditions. Where this cannot be done, Network Rail/the buyer reserves the right to terminate the framework and/or exercise break clauses.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
This procurement is for 2 separate lots for assorted Research & Insight services. Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots and may be awarded one or both Lots. There are 3 slots for awardees on each lot. This is a framework to establish a mechanism for future call-offs in each respective lot. Stage 1) This is a qualification stage (PSQ) open publicly. This has 3 PSQ events. 1 PSQ for common requirements to both lots 1 & 2, and then two separate PSQ events with Lot specific requirements. Participants will be shortlisted at this stage and following assessment, 6 participants will be shortlisted for each Lot. Participants will be issued feedback letters as per Procurement Act 2023 requirements before the next stage commences. Stage 2) Shortlisted Participants will be invited to Tender at the ITT stage. The ITT stage has 5 events. An ITT for common requirements for both lots and then two lot specific ITTs for the technical submissions and 2 separate events for the commercial submissions. Each lot will have a shortlist of 6 participants invited to tender for it. The 6 Tenderers per lot will be assessed and the highest scoring 3 (based on MAT, the Most Advantageous Tenders) per lot will receive a position on each lot under the framework as outlined in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo. Certain tender-stage documentation is provided in draft form at the qualifcation (PSQ) stage of the procurement and may be refined prior to invitation to tender. Further details are set out in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo.

Special regime

utilities

Covered By

GPA
CPTPP

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Description
N/A No fees
Id
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9df

Type

win

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Maximum Participants
6
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Period Rationale
N/A - Framework is 8 years
Type
open
Buyer Categories
This framework will be available to Network Rail, Great British Railways, Department For Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), and their subsidiaries, successor organisations and affiliates.
Description
Contract Orders shall be awarded through 3 methods as defined below for Lot 1 1) Competitive Selection Process for requirements above £250,000 2) Requests for Quotations (RfQs) for requirements over £100,000 up to £250,000 3) Direct award for requirements up to £100,000 Contract Orders shall be awarded through 3 methods as defined below for Lot 2: 1) Competitive Selection Process for requirements above £250,000 2) Requests for Quotations (RfQs) for requirements over £60,000 up to £250,000 3) Direct award for requirements up to £60,000 Values above are exclusive of VAT. Pricing tendered acts as Not-to-Exceed rates for methods 1 and 2 (Competitive Selection Process & RfQs). Participants may bid lower than Not-to-Exceed rates in methods 1 and 2 in each lot, but may not bid higher. Day rates per resource/personnel type are tendered. For call off method 3 in both lots, direct awards use the Not-to-Exceed rates but once spend thresholds per financial year with each supplier are reached, discount threshoolds set in (which are tendered and scored parts of the Commercial crtieria at the ITT stage). Competition detail for Competitive Selection Process and RfQs is detailed in the Procurement Documentation published in Bravo alongside the PSQ. Pricing is subject to CPI adjustement on an annual basis starting in 2028. Details of the mechanism are outlined in the Procurement Documentation published in Bravo.

Buyer Location Restrictions

Entry 1

Gazetteer

Scheme
GB-ITL

Identifiers

UK

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Enquiry period

Ends
13 Jul 2026, 17:00

Expected award period

Ends
18 Jan 2027, 23:59

Recurrence

Dates

Entry 1
Starts
2 Feb 2035, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
28 days

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Communications
Description
Suppliers on Lot 1 must be able to research a wide range of audiences, including: • Passengers and the general public • Employees • Businesses and industry stakeholders (B2B) • Politicians and journalists Suppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including: • Passenger satisfaction and experience tracking (e.g. stations, journeys, services) • Customer and stakeholder insight (B2C, B2B and CX research) • Employee engagement research • Communications development and evaluation (testing messages, campaigns and materials) • Brand and reputation research • Mystery shopping and on site research • Behaviour change and behavioural insight studies • Segmentation and profiling • Public health, safety and policy related research • Policy evaluation services • Technology Insights
Status
active
Has Options
Yes

Value

Including VAT
34,573,474.14
Amount
28,811,228.45
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope - Quality Criteria
Description
For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
price
Name
Commercial Envelope - Price Criteria
Description
For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Second Stage

Minimum Candidates
3
Maximum Candidates
6

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Must meet financial health check score of 35 when responding to quesiton 1.4.3 in the qualifcation envelope of pqq_3909 - Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS Metholdogy and required submission is detailed in PSQ in the qualficaiton envelope.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Market Research Society - Company Partner Accrediation (or equivalent) ISO27001 covering the scope of busines acitvites used to fulfil obligations under the framework
Criterion 3
Description
Technical 70% Commercial 30% For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.
For Reduction
Yes

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
5 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
5 Feb 2036, 23:59

Options

Description
The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a “Break Point”). This is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to: • Greater geographic scope • Changes to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities • Changes to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities • Additional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs • Changes to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data • Changes how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms • Other changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Commercial Property & Retail
Description
Suppliers on Lot 2 must be able to research a range of audiences, including: • Passengers and the general public • Businesses and industry stakeholders (B2B) • Stakeholders in the wider rail and transport industries such as TOCs (Train Operating Companies), Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and their stakeholders Suppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including: • Trends and insight into retail buying behaviours of passengers and consumers o General retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) o Travel retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) o Customer experience – experiential activity • Customer profiling and segmentation • Thought leadership in the retail and commercial sphere • Turning information into actionable insights for daily decision-making and strategic planning
Status
active
Has Options
Yes

Value

Including VAT
10,293,832.26
Amount
8,578,193.55
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope - Quality Criteria
Description
For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
price
Name
Commercial Envelope - Price Criteria
Description
For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Second Stage

Minimum Candidates
3
Maximum Candidates
6

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Must meet financial health check score of 35 when responding to quesiton 1.4.3 in the qualifcation envelope of pqq_3909 - Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS Metholdogy and required submission is detailed in PSQ in the qualficaiton envelope.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Market Research Society - Company Partner Accrediation (or equivalent) ISO27001 covering the scope of business acitvites used to fulfil obligations under the framework
Criterion 3
Description
Technical 70% Commercial 30% For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.
For Reduction
Yes

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
5 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
5 Feb 2036, 23:59

Options

Description
The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a “Break Point”). This is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to: • Greater geographic scope • Changes to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities • Changes to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities • Additional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs • Changes to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data • Changes how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms • Other changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
79310000
Description
Market research services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
79310000
Description
Market research services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
future
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Access Details
All documents for both the selection (PSQ) and award (ITT) phases will be published with the PSQ events in a combined manner (stage 1 of the process as detailed in the 'Procedure' section of this notice). Where procurement documents have updates, they will be published in the relevant PSQ or ITT to which they relate of which there are 8 as outlined below and this will be communciated to all Participants. Certain tender-stage documentation is provided in draft form at the qualifcation (PSQ) stage of the procurement and may be refined prior to invitation to tender. Further details are set out in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo. Stage 1 PSQ pqq_3909 Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS PSQ pqq_3910 Market Research Framework PSQ 2 - Lot 1 Requirements PSQ pqq_3911 Market Research Framework PSQ 3 - Lot 2 Requirements Stage 2 ITT itt_19471 Market Research Framework ITT 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS ALL LOTS ITT itt_19476 Market Research Framework ITT 2 - Lot 1 Requirements ITT itt_19475 Market Research Framework ITT 3 - Lot 2 Requirements ITT itt_19535 - Market Research Framework ITT4 Lot 1 Commercial Submission ITT itt_19536 - Market Research Framework ITT5 Lot 2 Commercial Submission
Entry 3
Id
058401-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
22 Jun 2026, 11:21
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Id
GB-PPON-PNZN-9524-VCQJ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PNZN-9524-VCQJ

Address

Street Address
Waterloo General Office
Locality
London
Postal Code
SE1 8SW
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI45

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI45 · SE1 8SW · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 058401-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·