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Tenderpatch

Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators- Release 2

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)

Open Closes in 11 days

Key facts

Closing date
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 12:00 (UK time) Closes in 11 days
Buyer's estimated value
£81,008,616 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you. For a framework this usually covers the whole agreement, not a single contract.
Clarification questions deadline
22 October 2026, 23:59
Contract period
7 Dec 2026 to 23 Jul 2034
Procedure
Competitive flexible procedure
Notice type
Tender notice (UK4)
Suitable for SMEs (per buyer)
Yes
Arrangement
Framework agreement

Decision brief

Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.

How bids will be scored

Lot 1

  • Technical : As described in the ITT pack.

Lot 2

  • Technical : Sub criteria applies as described in the ITT Pack.

Lot 3

  • Technical : As described in the ITT pack.
Conditions of participation (what you must show)

economic As described in the ITT pack.

technical As described in the ITT pack.

Contract length and extensions
7 Dec 2026 to 23 Jul 2034.
How to submit
Through tfw.my.site.com ↗ (the buyer's own portal). Electronic submission: allowed.
Restrictions and fees
Participation fee: All associated tender documents are available free of charge by registering on the named e-procurement portal.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
Framework
An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
Open for bids / closing date
You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
Clarification questions
A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
Conditions of participation
What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
Bids are scored on
How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
Lots
A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
Area (ITL)
The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
UK4 and other notice codes
Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.

General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.

Description

Transport for Wales Rail (TfWRL) are in-housing the co-ordination and management of Rail Replacement Service (RRS) across Wales and Border routes operated by TfWRL within Wales and between Wales and England. Or any such route operated by TfW as may arise in future. This means that all pre-planned and emergency rail replacement services currently provided by coach and bus operators through an aggregator agreement, will be contracted for as services, directly by TfWRL. This procurement also includes the requirement for adhoc travel services to be commissioned via this framework as they arise. Based upon 25/26 Financial year data, approximately 6,000 emergency duties and 21,000 planned duties were delivered by circa 110 different operators. It is currently intended the Open Framework will run for the maximum 8 year term. This procurement relates to the second opening of the Rail Replacement Services Open Framework and provides an opportunity for additional operators to apply for the framework and current operators to update their submissions. Full information of how to do so is included in the ITT pack.

Lots (3)

  1. Lot 1: Part 1 Lot 1: Emergency (up to 48 hours)

    Value: £28,353,016 (excl. VAT)

    Duties to be offered with up to 48 Hours Notice.

  2. Lot 2: Parts 2 & 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned

    Value: £40,504,308 (excl. VAT)

    Part 2 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (48 hours to 14 days) Part 3 Lot 2: Pre-Planned (over 14 days)

  3. Lot 3: Part 4 Lot 3: Mini-Competition (over 14 days)

    Value: £12,151,292 (excl. VAT)

    Larger groups of duties/blockades over a longer period of time. Each variable, dependant upon the specific need for rail replacement services at the time.