✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 13 Oct 2026, 14:46.
Opportunity overview
This research seeks to develop the evidence base required to inform the transition towards harmonised ACL characteristics across rolling stock operating on the GB network. It will confirm and refine the previously proposed target state for ACL harmonisation (that is BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV)), fully accounting for technical feasibility and economic viability, and develop a detailed pathway from current to target state for existing and future rolling stock. Specifically, the research will address the following objectives:
1.Confirm and detail the target state for ACL harmonisation and the rationale for its adoption: this includes accounting for wider system consequences and trade-offs, quantified associated benefits, costs and risks.
2.Define a transition pathway from current to target state: this includes specifying the ACL changes that are technically achievable and economically justified for existing rolling stock, the ACL requirements for future rolling stock, the role and deployment of dual trains, and the phasing required to reach the target state.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./E6E28TZ9KW
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E6E28TZ9KW
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
Buyer location · London · UKI31 · EC3M 5AD · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom
Notice and amendment history
1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
1 VERSION
1
096546-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
RSSB is seeking research to support harmonisation of Automatic Current Limitation (ACL) across electric rolling stock on the GB rail network. The work will validate the proposed target state based on BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV), assess technical and economic implications, and develop a transition pathway for existing and future fleets.
Who this may suit
Best suited to rail engineering, traction-power, rolling-stock and techno-economic research organisations with capability in GB railway standards and fleet transition analysis.
Key points identified
Technical research scopeDevelop evidence to inform harmonised ACL characteristics across GB electric rolling stock.Evidence: "This research seeks to develop the evidence base required to inform the transition towards harmonised ACL characteristics across rolling stock operating on the GB network."
Target-state assessmentConfirm and refine the proposed target state: BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV).Evidence: "It will confirm and refine the previously proposed target state for ACL harmonisation (that is BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV))."
Economic and technical analysisAccount for technical feasibility, economic viability, wider system consequences, trade-offs, benefits, costs and risks.Evidence: The notice requires the target state to be assessed "fully accounting for technical feasibility and economic viability" and includes "wider system consequences and trade-offs, quantified associated benefits, costs and risks."
97% approved-analysis confidence7 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
RSSB is seeking research to support harmonisation of Automatic Current Limitation (ACL) across electric rolling stock on the GB rail network. The work will validate the proposed target state based on BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV), assess technical and economic implications, and develop a transition pathway for existing and future fleets.
Who this may suit
Best suited to rail engineering, traction-power, rolling-stock and techno-economic research organisations with capability in GB railway standards and fleet transition analysis.
Key deliverables
Evidence-based confirmation and refinement of the ACL harmonisation target state and its rationale.
Assessment of system consequences, trade-offs, benefits, costs and risks.
A transition pathway from current ACL arrangements to the target state.
Recommendations on achievable and economically justified changes for existing rolling stock, requirements for future stock, dual-train deployment and phasing.
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
7 criteria identified
Technical research scope
99% confidence
Develop evidence to inform harmonised ACL characteristics across GB electric rolling stock.
View supporting evidence
"This research seeks to develop the evidence base required to inform the transition towards harmonised ACL characteristics across rolling stock operating on the GB network."
Target-state assessment
99% confidence
Confirm and refine the proposed target state: BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV).
View supporting evidence
"It will confirm and refine the previously proposed target state for ACL harmonisation (that is BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV))."
Economic and technical analysis
98% confidence
Account for technical feasibility, economic viability, wider system consequences, trade-offs, benefits, costs and risks.
View supporting evidence
The notice requires the target state to be assessed "fully accounting for technical feasibility and economic viability" and includes "wider system consequences and trade-offs, quantified associated benefits, costs and risks."
Transition planning
99% confidence
Define technically achievable and economically justified ACL changes for existing stock, requirements for future stock, the role of dual trains and implementation phasing.
View supporting evidence
Objective 2 specifies these elements of the transition pathway.
Supplier selection requirements
98% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
No eligibility, financial standing, insurance, experience threshold or organisational requirements are stated in the supplied notice data.
SME suitability
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
The source field for suitable_for_sme is null.
VCSE suitability
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
The source field for suitable_for_vcse is null.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated maximum value
99% confidence
£180,000.
View supporting evidence
The opportunity value_max is GBP 180,000 and Lot 1 value_amount is GBP 180,000.
Currency
99% confidence
GBP.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity and Lot 1 currency are listed as GBP.
Contract term
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
Contract start and end dates are not provided.
Delivery
Delivery geography
98% confidence
United Kingdom / GB rail network.
View supporting evidence
Delivery location is listed as UK, and the research concerns rolling stock operating on the "GB network."
Buyer location
99% confidence
London, United Kingdom.
View supporting evidence
Buyer location is listed as London, UKI31, EC3M 5AD.
Delivery timetable
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
No contract start date, end date or delivery milestones are supplied.
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Procedure
99% confidence
Open procedure.
View supporting evidence
procurement_method_details is "Open procedure".
Notice status
99% confidence
Open tender.
View supporting evidence
display_status is "open" and source_status is "active".
Submission deadline
99% confidence
16 November 2026, 12:00 UTC.
View supporting evidence
submission_deadline is 2026-11-16T12:00:00+00:00; the same deadline is listed for Lot 1.
Response route
98% confidence
Delta eSourcing portal.
View supporting evidence
The notice directs suppliers to the Delta eSourcing portal and provides the response URL ending /respond/E6E28TZ9KW.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Unstated evaluation and supplier conditions
98% confidence
The supplied notice data does not state evaluation criteria, weighting, insurance, financial standing, technical selection thresholds or required certifications.
View supporting evidence
No such requirements are present in the supplied opportunity description or structured fields.
Unstated contract timetable and terms
99% confidence
Contract dates, delivery milestones and detailed commercial terms are not provided in the supplied data.
View supporting evidence
contract_start_at and contract_end_at are null; no terms are included in the description.
Specialist technical scope
96% confidence
The requirement concerns an electrical rolling-stock interoperability and standards topic, requiring credible ACL, traction-power and GB railway domain capability.
View supporting evidence
The scope explicitly concerns ACL across electric rolling stock, BS EN 50388-1:2022 and the GB network.
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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