Find a TenderPlanned procurementPreliminary market engagement notice
Published 18 Sept 2026, 16:47 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Train Planning Systems Replacement RFI2

Authority: SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED (Public body)

ServicesAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitable
Budget not disclosed Value not published
Tender notice expected 2 Apr 2027from the planned procurement notice
Contract term 3 yrsstarts 31 Dec 2028

What is being bought

Published requirement description

South Western Railway (SWR) will be seeking information from the market regarding Train Planning Systems capable of supporting the creation, editing, integration, and validation of train schedules, rolling stock diagrams, and traincrew diagrams. The requirement covers systems that provide intuitive planning interfaces, comprehensive visualisation tools, and the ability to manage date‑bound timetable datasets across long‑term, short‑term, and very short‑term planning horizons.

The scope includes solutions that can integrate securely and efficiently with Network Rail systems and SWR's operational, rostering, optimisation, and business platforms, using industry‑standard data formats and APIs. Suppliers are also invited to provide information on systems that support automated validation of rolling stock and traincrew diagrams, including checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot‑specific standards.

SWR is additionally seeking insight into system capabilities for secure data exchange, auditability, and reporting, as well as indicative commercial models associated with delivering these functionalities.

CPV: Custom software development services · Industry specific software package · Software-related services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Lot 1Planned 3 yrsSME
Contract period: 31 Dec 2028 — 31 Dec 2031 (3 yrs)Eligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: UK
48100000 Industry specific software package72230000 Custom software development services72260000 Software-related services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Planned procurement
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
18 Sept 2026, 16:47 BST
Last source update
18 Sept 2026, 16:47 BST
Latest notice
Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
Classification (CPV)
Custom software development servicesIndustry specific software packageSoftware-related services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd

How it was run

Submission deadline

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London
  1. Planning notice published2 days ago
    18 Sept 2026, 16:47 BST
  2. Market engagementin 73 days
    1 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
    SWR004570 - Train Planning Systems Replacement The link that enable suppliers to view the documents and respond to this RFI has been added: https://swrl.medius-s2c.com/S2C/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ListEvents.aspx?ApplicationInstanceID=27adc89e-0cb2-4b51-9bc1-34061f10156 more…f SWR published an initial RFI to test market interest and it is now issuing a second RFI to test mobilisation timescales. No events have taken place, only the review of responses provided by suppliers in the first RFI round. RFI1 was issued on January 2026: South Western Railway (SWR) will undertake preliminary market engagement to gather information from suppliers capable of providing a modern Train Planning System. The scope of this engagement covers system capabilities including schedule creation, rolling stock and traincrew diagramming, user interface design, system integration, secure data exchange, automated validation, and associated commercial models. The engagement will be conducted remotely through the publication of a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI will be published on 19 January on Find a Tender and will remain open for responses until 19 February, providing a one month window for suppliers to review the materials and submit their responses. No in‑person events are currently planned; however, should SWR schedule any virtual briefings or supplier sessions, details will be shared with suppliers who have expressed interest.
  3. Tender notice expectedin 194 days
    2 Apr 2027, 00:59 BST
  4. Contract starts
    31 Dec 2028, 00:00 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Pipeline notice
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    18 Sept 2026, 16:47 BSTUK2

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic undertaking GB-COH: 03266760 · GB-PPON: PQHL-7495-VCQT South Bank Central 4th Floor, 30 Stamford Street,, London, London, SE1 9LQ [email protected]
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Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure