OLE Steelworks · UK public procurement notice

Authority: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED (Central government)

Framework agreement5 lotsGoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitableVCSE suitable

Sectors: Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting (31)Transport Equipment & Vehicles (34)Construction Materials & Prefab (44)

+1 more

Construction & Civil Engineering (45)

Delivery: UK

Framework ceiling (notional)£240,000,000total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update

Submissions closed 22 Sept 2025awarded 17 Sept 2026

Awarded to ADEY STEEL LIMITED +12 more5 awards

Framework period 6 yrsends 1 Mar 2033 · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensions · starts 1 Mar 2027

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Network Rail has a requirement to purchase a range of steel products that are used to support Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). The scope of this procurement includes steelwork for electrification specific applications as detailed in UKMS, UKMS 1, UKMS2, OLEMI and GEFF designs:

Lot 1 Steel Piles - Tubular steel piles used for foundations.
Lot 2 Steel Structures - In the forms of masts and spans (booms, portals and other structures spanning the track) to which OHLE is attached.
Lot 3 Small Part Steel Uncontrolled - Components to enable OHLE equipment to be attached to the structures.
Lot 4 Small Part Steel Controlled - Various clips and clamps used to secure items to the structures as well as supporting OHL Wire, these are often casted items. Products on this Lot require Product Acceptance (PA), NR can sponsor suppliers through this process.
Lot 5 Fixings - Electrification specific fixings and fasteners to secure the electrification structures.

The proposed Framework(s) will be for an initial period of 6 years, with options to extend for a further two year period. Participants that are interested in Supplying Lot 1 Steel Piles and Lot 2 Steel Structures will be required to have capacity to purchase and store steel raw materials on behalf of Network Rail, and agree to the provision fo a Vesting Certificate (a copy of which is contained in the Procurement Documents).

The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Jan 2033, 23:59 GMT.
How the procedure runs: A procurement specific questionnaire will be issued to all interested parties, and after down selection, up to 6 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 1, up to 8 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 2 and Lot 3, up to 10 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 4 and up to 5 participants will be invited to tender for Lot 5. Participants for Lots 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be invited to e auctions as part of the tender process. No e auction will be held for Lot 4. Full details of the process are contained in the Instructions to Participants.

CPV: Overhead electrical equipment · Railway materials · Structural steelworks · Structures and parts · Structures and parts of structures

How this framework works

From the published notice

Type: Closed framework
Call-offs: call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places: up to 25 suppliers · 6 bids on the busiest of 5 lots (0.2 per place) · 13 appointed
Framework period: 6 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 1 Mar 2027
Electronic auction: yes

Published description of the framework

For all Lots prices will set at the start of the agreement and reviewed annually, following the competitive flexible procedure. For all Lots there is a direct award and mini competition process definied within the Procurement Documents. Prices set at Framework level are not to be exceeded rates, and successful suppliers may submit lower pricing to secure orders through the life of the framework.