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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators- Release 2

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer) · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 2 Oct 2026, 16:21.

Opportunity overview

Transport for Wales Rail (TfWRL) are in-housing the co-ordination and management of Rail Replacement Service (RRS) across Wales and Border routes operated by TfWRL within Wales and between Wales and England. Or any such route operated by TfW as may arise in future. This means that all pre-planned and emergency rail replacement services currently provided by coach and bus operators through an aggregator agreement, will be contracted for as services, directly by TfWRL. This procurement also includes the requirement for adhoc travel services to be commissioned via this framework as they arise. Based upon 25/26 Financial year data, approximately 6,000 emergency duties and 21,000 planned duties were delivered by circa 110 different operators. It is currently intended the Open Framework will run for the maximum 8 year term. This procurement relates to the second opening of the Rail Replacement Services Open Framework and provides an opportunity for additional operators to apply for the framework and current operators to update their submissions. Full information of how to do so is included in the ITT pack.

Classification

  • CPV60112000 — Public road transport services
  • CPV60130000 — Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
  • CPV60140000 — Non-scheduled passenger transport
  • CPV60170000 — Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Lots

  • Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)£28.4m
  • Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned£40.5m
  • Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days) £12.2m

Documents and notices

  • Tender notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
  • As described in the ITT pack.Open source ↗
  • All documents will be released at the same time the tender notice is published. If additional documents are identified as being needed, these will be made available via the nominated e-procurement portal - Atamis.Open source ↗

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
TfW0993.02
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
Has Recurrence
Yes
Published risks
Examples of known risks at the framework level include: Refinements of specification for service or vehicle provision e.g., Electric Vehicles. Changes in legislation which may increase operator costs due to additional investment in technology or other requirements for the delivery of the services. Changes in fuel rates, NI, minimum or living wage or other material costs of provision of the services. Examples of known/unknown risks at the call off level include: Amendment to call off contracts (duties awarded) including extension and curtailment of duties or full termination of duties due to the nature of the industry and respective need to deliver a resilient rail replacement service when trains are unable to operate. Late cancellation of duties

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
Refer to ITT Volume 1 for full details. Single Stage Procurement. Step 1 - Participation Stage - not used for down selection. All Tenderers must pass this stage to be appointed to the Framework. Step 2 - Technical responses will be evaluated and the Commercial responses will be checked for accuracy/errors or omissions. Step 3 - Dialogue - the Authority reserves the right to hold a dialogue stage with some or all operators if needed to clarify any complex queries arising. Any changes to the specification or Terms and Conditions would be communicated to all bidders. This is to ensure any unforeseen issues arising can be dealt with effectively and supports the assurance process that the Authority requirement is understood and the Tenderer offer and ability to provide the service is consistent with the requirement. Step 4 - Notify Bidders if they are successful in being appointed to the framework and provide assessment summaries. Step 5 - Calling off under the framework - the quality scores and commercial rate card will be imported into a separate 'end to end' system within which duties are calculated and the ranked order of bidders determined in accordance with the award methodology (price/quality weighting) described in the ITT). Each duty/blockade is effectively an individual competition. As this is the second release of the Open Framework, operators already assigned to the framework are still required to respond. Full details of how to do so are included in the ITT pack.

Special regime

utilities

Covered By

GPA
CPTPP

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Description
All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
Id
ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0

Type

win

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Is Open Framework Scheme
Yes
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
closed
Description
Operators will be required to pass all of the first stage selection questions to be appointed to the framework. The operators technical and commercial submissions for Lot 1 and Lot 2 shall be imported into the end to end system on a weighted basis and used to determine the ranked order for calling off under the Framework taking into account relevant information regarding the location and delivery of the services where appropriate. Lot 1 - Emergency - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be contacted by telephone, email or text message to offer the duty. The nature of the emergency will determine how much time Operators have to respond e.g. If a higher ranked operator is contacted and fails to accept the duty within the prescribed timescale, the duty will be offered to the next highest ranked operator. Operators may also be contacted simultaneously and the duty offered to the first to respond regardless of ranked position. Lot 2 - Pre-Planned - For each duty or group of duties, Operators will be requested to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) within a prescribed timeframe. Upon receipt of the EOI, the duty will be offered in line with the ranked order. Lot 3 - Mini Competition - All Operators appointed to Lot 2, will automatically be invited to mini competitions under Lot 3. The quality scores for the technical questions at the time the framework was established will be carried forward and added to the price score on a weighted basis to create the combined ranking. The duty/blockade will be offered to the highest ranked operator. In all cases, duties/blockades will only be offered to operators with the vehicle and disc capacity. Full details of the process are explained in the ITT pack.
Open Framework Scheme End Date
31 Oct 2034, 23:59

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en
cy

Tender Period

Ends
27 Oct 2026, 12:00

Enquiry period

Ends
22 Oct 2026, 23:59

Expected award period

Ends
7 Dec 2026, 23:59

Lot Details

Award criteria

Description
Operators may apply to be entered into each of the three lots within the framework. Each lot will include an unlimited number of suppliers who meet the criteria for entry into that lot, as set out in the procurement documentation.

Recurrence

Dates

Entry 1
Starts
5 Jul 2027, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
30 Days for traditional PO invoice payment and 14 days if automated billing processes are adopted.

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)
Description
Duties to be offered with up to 48 Hours Notice.
Status
active

Value

Including VAT
34,023,619
Amount
28,353,016
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Weighting Description
55% Quality/ 45% Price

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical
Description
As described in the ITT pack.

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
As described in the ITT pack.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
As described in the ITT pack.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
23 Jul 2034, 23:59
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned
Description
Part 2 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (48 hours to 14 days) Part 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (over 14 days)
Status
active

Value

Including VAT
48,605,170
Amount
40,504,308
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Weighting Description
55% Quality, 45% Price.

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical
Description
Sub criteria applies as described in the ITT Pack.

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
As described in the ITT pack.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
As described in the ITT pack.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
23 Jul 2034, 23:59
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days)
Description
Larger groups of duties/blockades over a longer period of time. Each variable, dependant upon the specific need for rail replacement services at the time.
Status
active

Value

Including VAT
14,581,551
Amount
12,151,292
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Weighting Description
55% Quality/ 45% Price

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical
Description
As described in the ITT pack.

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
As described in the ITT pack.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
As described in the ITT pack.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
23 Jul 2034, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
60112000
Description
Public road transport services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
60130000
Description
Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
60140000
Description
Non-scheduled passenger transport
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
60170000
Description
Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKL
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKF
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 4
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 5
Region
UKC
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 6
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 7
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 8
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 9
Region
UKG
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 10
Region
UKE
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
60112000
Description
Public road transport services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
60130000
Description
Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
60140000
Description
Non-scheduled passenger transport
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
60170000
Description
Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKL
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKF
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 4
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 5
Region
UKC
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 6
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 7
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 8
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 9
Region
UKG
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 10
Region
UKE
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
60112000
Description
Public road transport services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
60130000
Description
Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
60140000
Description
Non-scheduled passenger transport
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
60170000
Description
Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKL
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKF
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 4
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 5
Region
UKC
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 6
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 7
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 8
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 9
Region
UKG
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 10
Region
UKE
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
L-4
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
All documents will be released at the same time the tender notice is published. If additional documents are identified as being needed, these will be made available via the nominated e-procurement portal - Atamis.
Entry 2
Id
L-2
Document Type
technicalSpecifications
Description
As described in the ITT pack.
Entry 3
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 4
Id
093451-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
2 Oct 2026, 15:14
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)
Id
GB-PPON-PVJP-5451-JYWQ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PVJP-5451-JYWQ

Address

Street Address
3 Llys Cadwyn
Locality
Pontypridd
Postal Code
CF37 4TH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKL15

Contact

Name
Victoria Merker

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicUndertaking
Description
Public undertaking
Entry 2
Scheme
UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS
Id
GB-WLS
Description
Welsh devolved regulations apply

Related procurements

Entry 1
Id
prior
Scheme
ocid
Identifier
ocds-h6vhtk-060348

Relationship

prior

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Pontypridd · UKL15 · CF37 4TH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKC · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKD · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKE · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKF · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKG · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKI · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKK · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKL · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

5 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

5 VERSIONS
  1. 087908-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 089069-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  3. 089902-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  4. 089903-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  5. 093451-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·