Closing soon3 days left · closes midday, Monday 16 November 2026

1073434028 T1427 Strategy for Harmonising Automatic Current Limitation Across Electric Rolling Stock in GB

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) · Public undertaking

In brief

Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) is looking for suppliers for research work (UK-wide).

The estimated value is £180,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 5 months, starting 14 December 2026.

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

Bids close at midday, Monday 16 November 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, Friday 30 October 2026
Bids by: midday, Monday 16 November 2026

How bids are scored

W1 Understanding and methodology (Max 8 pages PDF; Min 11 font size) 30% · W2 Expertise and planning (Max 4 pages PDF, excluding CVs; Min 11 font size, excluding CVs) 30% · W3 Risks, opportunities, and engagement 20% · W4 Cost of project 20%

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

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 5 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

This research seeks to develop the evidence base required to inform the transition towards harmonised ACL characteristics across rolling stock operating on the GB network. It will confirm and refine the previously proposed target state for ACL harmonisation (that is BS EN 50388-1:2022 without UKSNC (Umin2 = 17.5 kV)), fully accounting for technical feasibility and economic viability, and develop a detailed pathway from current to target state for existing and future rolling stock. Specifically, the research will address the following objectives: 1.Confirm and detail the target state for ACL harmonisation and the rationale for its adoption: this includes accounting for wider system consequences and trade-offs, quantified associated benefits, costs and risks. 2.Define a transition pathway from current to target state: this includes specifying the ACL changes that are technically achievable and economically justified for existing rolling stock, the ACL requirements for future rolling stock, the role and deployment of dual trains, and the phasing required to reach the target state. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./E6E28TZ9KW To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E6E28TZ9KW

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 3 days?That is tight, especially for a first bid with this buyer.
Is a contract of about £180,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in locations across the UK?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: www.delta-esourcing.com.
Send clarification questions before midday, Friday 30 October 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Monday 16 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

13 October 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 096546-2026

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
OptiConsulting Limited1 contract
Work Psychology Group1 contract

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

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From notice 096546-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 13 October 2026. We last checked for changes on 13 October 2026.