Closing soon2 days left · closes midday, Friday 2 October 2026

1063173918 T1421 Uniformity and consistency of braking within a freight train

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) · Public undertaking

In brief

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) is looking for suppliers for research work (London).

The estimated value is £350,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 1 year, starting 2 November 2026.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at midday, Friday 2 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: midday, Tuesday 22 September 2026
Bids by: midday, Friday 2 October 2026

How bids are scored

W2 Tenderer’s understanding and methodology 30% · W3 Tenderer’s experience and individual expertise 25% · W4 Project management: Planning and engagement 15% · W5 Project management: Risks and opportunities 10% · W6 Cost of project 20%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 2.5 bids per contract for this buyer (from 8 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

RSSB is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake research into the uniformity and consistency of braking within freight trains. The project will use a programme of static brake testing and analysis to investigate variability in braking performance across representative freight wagons, including differences between integrated and non-integrated brake equipment and the consistency of brake force across the fleet. The research will develop an evidence base to support operational, engineering and standards decisions, including recommendations on how greater conformity in braking performance could be achieved. The work is expected to start in October 2026, with a budget of up to £350,000 excluding VAT, and is anticipated to take less than 12 months. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://rssb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./65NA2RG3HU To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://rssb.delta-esourcing.com/respond/65NA2RG3HU

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 2 days?That is tight, especially for a first bid with this buyer.
Is a contract of about £350,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in London?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: rssb.delta-esourcing.com.
Send clarification questions before midday, Tuesday 22 September 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Friday 2 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

2 September 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 082927-2026

About the buyer

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)Last 12 months

Procurements

Awards

Suppliers it has used most for research

Ove Arup & Partners Ltd2 contracts
Andromeda Engineering Ltd1 contract
DGauge Ltd1 contract
Engineering Support Group Limited1 contract
OptiConsulting Limited1 contract

All tenders and awards from Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)

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From notice 082927-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 2 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.