Class 158 Single Variable Rate Sanding (SVRS) Modification

CPV: Repair, maintenance and associated services related to railways and other equipment

Procedure method

Direct award

Legal basis

UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Cancelled

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Utilities

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Competitive procedure

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

21 May 2025, 13:21 BST

Last source update

27 Jan 2026, 18:46 GMT

FTS notice number

2026/S 000-007330

Latest notice

Procurement termination notice (UK12)

Classification (CPV)

Repair, maintenance and associated services related to railways and other equipment

Delivery area

North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-051a9f Find a Tender

Why no open competition

Single Suppliers Technical Reasons

Published justification

Justification:

Northern Trains Limited (NTL) is required to procure and install a fully certified and previously proven SVRS system by leaf fall 2026, ensuring fleet safety of NTL's Class 158 rolling stock.

The following incidents on the GB rail network has required NTL to install SRVS on its cl.158 fleet:

The Salisbury collision (Oct 21) due to poor adhesion, involving Great Western Railway and South Western Railway trains, the Powys collision (Oct 24) involving Transport for Wales trains and multiple station overruns in 2024 and 2025.

Given these incidents, there is a need to enhance the stopping capability of the Class 158 as a safety imperative.

Siemens is the only provider whose SVRS solution has proven to positively impact breaking in low-adhesion conditions on Class 158s while in passenger service and is permitted for use by the asset-owner. This has been demonstrated at ScotRail.

Any alternative would not meet the timelines required by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), making Siemens the only viable supplier for the Autumn 2026 deadline.

In conclusion, NTL's procurement under Schedule 5 paragraph 6 is justified due to the following reasons:

a. There are no alternative suppliers with a tested solution meeting the technical requirements for Class 158s in the timeframe required by the ORR to address a safety critical matter.

b. There are no reasonable alternative goods meeting the technical requirements for Class 158s in the timeframe required by the ORR to address a safety critical matter.

Submission deadline

—

• SIEMENS MOBILITY LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 00016033GB-PPON: PLXP-3652-TTVN Sixth Floor, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London, London, NW1 2PLContact emailShow contact details