Calibration Services

{
  "id": "077286-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-08-13T14:19:48+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06e3b2",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
    "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06e3b2",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2031-03-01T23:59:59Z",
          "startDate": "2027-03-01T00:00:00Z"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKC",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKD",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKE",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKF",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKG",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKH",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKI",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKJ",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "50433000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Calibration services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Calibration Services",
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "1. Introduction\nNorthern Trains Limited (\"Northern\") is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (\"PME\") in advance of a proposed procurement for the provision of calibration services across its Train Care Centre (\"TCC\") network.\nThe purpose of this engagement is to better understand market capability, capacity, innovation and potential delivery models that could support Northern's operational and compliance requirements.\nThis notice is being published to inform suppliers of the opportunity to participate in market engagement activities and to support the development of Northern's future procurement strategy.\n2. Background\nNorthern operates a network of Train Care Centres and maintenance facilities across the North of England. These facilities utilise a range of calibrated tools, instruments and equipment that support the safe inspection, maintenance and repair of rolling stock assets.\nNorthern is seeking to understand the current calibration services market, available technologies, service delivery models and supplier capabilities in advance of commencing a formal procurement process.\n3. Objectives of the Market Engagement\nThe objectives of this engagement are to:\n•\tUnderstand the current calibration services marketplace.\n•\tAssess supplier capability and capacity to support a geographically dispersed railway maintenance operation.\n•\tExplore innovative approaches to calibration management and asset control.\n•\tUnderstand available digital asset management and certification solutions.\n•\tInform the future scope, specification and contract structure.\n•\tTest potential commercial and pricing models.\n•\tSupport the development of a procurement strategy that delivers value for money and operational resilience.\n4. Scope Overview\nThe anticipated requirement may include, but is not limited to:\n•\tCalibration of mechanical, electrical and electronic measuring equipment.\n•\tCalibration of torque tools and associated equipment.\n•\tProvision of UKAS-accredited calibration services where applicable.\n•\tCollection and return services.\n•\tOn-site and/or mobile calibration services.\n•\tDigital certification management.\n•\tAsset tracking and reporting solutions.\n•\tNational service support across multiple Train Care Centre locations.\nFurther information regarding asset volumes, locations and operational requirements will be made available as part of the market engagement process.\n5. Market Engagement Activities\nNorthern intends to undertake the following engagement activities:\nStage 1: Market Capability Questionnaire\nInterested suppliers will be invited to complete a Market Capability Questionnaire covering:\n•\tRelevant sector experience.\n•\tUKAS accreditation arrangements.\n•\tGeographic coverage.\n•\tService delivery capability.\n•\tDigital asset management capability.\n•\tMulti-site contract experience.\n•\tInnovation opportunities.\n•\tCommercial approaches.\nThe questionnaire is for information gathering purposes only and will not be evaluated as part of any procurement process. \nStage 2: Microsoft Teams Market Engagement Event\nNorthern intends to hold a virtual supplier engagement session via Microsoft Teams.\nThe session may include:\n•\tIntroduction to the requirement.\n•\tOverview of the TCC and outstation network.\n•\tCurrent challenges and opportunities.\n•\tFuture objectives.\n•\tSupplier discussion and feedback.\n•\tQuestions and answers.\nStage 3: Site Engagement (If Required)\nSubject to operational requirements, Northern may arrange visits to a representative Train Care Centre.\nDue to operational, safety and security considerations, attendance at site visits may be restricted to a limited number of suppliers following review of questionnaire responses.\nAny information provided during site visits that is relevant to the future procurement will be shared with all interested suppliers to ensure transparency and equal treatment.\nEngagement Process Description\nNorthern Trains Limited (\"NTL\") is seeking to undertake early market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced suppliers in advance of a forthcoming procurement for the provision of Calibration Services across its Train Care Centre (\"TCC\") network.\nThe proposed contract will support the calibration, certification, management and control of tools, instruments and equipment used across Northern's maintenance facilities to ensure continued compliance, operational efficiency and asset reliability.\nNTL invites interested suppliers to attend a virtual Pre-Market Engagement session, which will be held on:\n3rd September  2026 at 11:00am via Microsoft Teams\nThe session will include a presentation delivered by the Operational and Procurement Teams outlining the strategic objectives of the requirement, the anticipated scope of services and the proposed procurement approach.\nThe session will provide insight into the following areas:\n•\tOverview of Northern's Train Care Centre network and operational requirements.\n•\tScope of the proposed calibration services requirement.\n•\tCurrent challenges and opportunities relating to calibration management.\n•\tAsset volumes, service expectations and performance requirements.\n•\tDigital asset management and certification requirements.\n•\tProcurement route, timelines and key milestones.\nNTL is also seeking feedback from the market to help inform the development of the procurement strategy, including:\n•\tService delivery models (on-site, off-site and mobile).\n•\tAsset tracking and digital certification solutions.\n•\tContract structure and mobilisation considerations.\n•\tPricing mechanisms and commercial models.\n•\tEmerging technologies and innovation opportunities within the calibration sector.\nNTL may also invite a limited number of suppliers to participate in one-to-one follow-up meetings and/or attend a representative Train Care Centre site visit. These activities are expected to take place following the engagement session and questionnaire review.\nAny such invitations will be issued solely to support Northern's understanding of the market and will not constitute a supplier selection process. Selection for these activities will be at NTL's sole discretion, taking account of operational, safety and logistical considerations.\nThis preliminary market engagement is being undertaken to inform NTL's procurement strategy and does not constitute a commitment to commence a procurement process.\nTo express interest in attending the Pre-Market Engagement session, please email: katie.hatton@northernrailway.co.uk\nPlease include:\n•\tOrganisation name\n•\tContact name\n•\tContact telephone number\n•\tContact email address\n•\tNames and job titles of attendees\nAs part of the engagement process, interested suppliers will be invited to complete a Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire will be used to gather information on supplier capabilities, experience, capacity, geographic coverage, accreditation arrangements and service delivery models relevant to the proposed requirement.\nCompleted questionnaires must be returned to Northern by 24 August 2026.\nInvitations to attend the session will be issued following review of the completed questionnaires. Due to practical considerations Northern may limit attendance to suppliers whose responses demonstrate capabilities, experience and solutions relevant to the proposed requirement. This is not a supplier selection process and will not impact participation in any future procurement exercise.",
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-03076444",
      "name": "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKE21",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "York",
        "postalCode": "YO1 6JT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "George Stephenson House"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "03076444",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@northernrailway.co.uk"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PZCJ-2164-HJQZ",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "077286-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077286-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-08-13T14:19:48+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-08-24T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "Northern Trains Limited (\"NTL\") is seeking to undertake early market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced suppliers in advance of a forthcoming procurement for the provision of Calibration Services across its Train Care Centre (\"TCC\") network.\nThe proposed contract will support the calibration, certification, management and control of tools, instruments and equipment used across Northern's maintenance facilities to ensure continued compliance, operational efficiency and asset reliability.\nNTL invites interested suppliers to attend a virtual Pre-Market Engagement session, which will be held on:\n3rd September  2026 at 11:00am via Microsoft Teams\nThe session will include a presentation delivered by the Operational and Procurement Teams outlining the strategic objectives of the requirement, the anticipated scope of services and the proposed procurement approach.\nThe session will provide insight into the following areas:\n•\tOverview of Northern's Train Care Centre network and operational requirements.\n•\tScope of the proposed calibration services requirement.\n•\tCurrent challenges and opportunities relating to calibration management.\n•\tAsset volumes, service expectations and performance requirements.\n•\tDigital asset management and certification requirements.\n•\tProcurement route, timelines and key milestones.\nNTL is also seeking feedback from the market to help inform the development of the procurement strategy, including:\n•\tService delivery models (on-site, off-site and mobile).\n•\tAsset tracking and digital certification solutions.\n•\tContract structure and mobilisation considerations.\n•\tPricing mechanisms and commercial models.\n•\tEmerging technologies and innovation opportunities within the calibration sector.\nNTL may also invite a limited number of suppliers to participate in one-to-one follow-up meetings and/or attend a representative Train Care Centre site visit. These activities are expected to take place following the engagement session and questionnaire review.\nAny such invitations will be issued solely to support Northern's understanding of the market and will not constitute a supplier selection process. Selection for these activities will be at NTL's sole discretion, taking account of operational, safety and logistical considerations.\nThis preliminary market engagement is being undertaken to inform NTL's procurement strategy and does not constitute a commitment to commence a procurement process.\nTo express interest in attending the Pre-Market Engagement session, please email: katie.hatton@northernrailway.co.uk\nPlease include:\n•\tOrganisation name\n•\tContact name\n•\tContact telephone number\n•\tContact email address\n•\tNames and job titles of attendees\nAs part of the engagement process, interested suppliers will be invited to complete a Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire will be used to gather information on supplier capabilities, experience, capacity, geographic coverage, accreditation arrangements and service delivery models relevant to the proposed requirement.\nCompleted questionnaires must be returned to Northern by 24 August 2026.\nInvitations to attend the session will be issued following review of the completed questionnaires. Due to practical considerations Northern may limit attendance to suppliers whose responses demonstrate capabilities, experience and solutions relevant to the proposed requirement. This is not a supplier selection process and will not impact participation in any future procurement exercise."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}