Closing soon6 days left · closes 11:59pm, Monday 5 October 2026

GWR - Transport and Distribution Services (Including Courier and Heavy Haulage)

First Greater Western Limited · Private utility

In brief

First Greater Western Limited is looking for suppliers for transport and postal and courier work (South West).

It is a framework worth up to £2,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 2 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 7 December 2026.

It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

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

Bids close at 11:59pm, Monday 5 October 2026.

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

Can I win this?

Key dates

Bids by
11:59pm, Monday 5 October 2026

How bids are scored

Quality 60% · Price 40%

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

Competition

Typical: a median of 4 bids per contract for transport contracts in this region (from 37 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £2,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway. That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement…Read the full description
This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway. That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of First Greater Western Limited, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme. Framework Overview: Great Western Railway (GWR) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework Agreement for the provision of Transport and Distribution Services, including Courier and Heavy Haulage Services (the "Framework"). The Framework is intended to provide GWR with a flexible and efficient mechanism for procuring such services throughout the Framework Term across GWR's network. The framework will be split into three Lots: Lot 1 - Courier and Freight Distribution Services Lot 2 - Transport and Distribution of Large or Heavy Traction and Rolling Stock Components (GVW ≤ 44 tonnes) Lot 3 - Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Indivisible Load Transport No guarantee is given as to the volume, frequency or value of Services to be procured under the Framework. Appointment to the Framework does not confer any exclusivity, minimum spend, minimum volume, minimum order, capacity reservation or other commitment and shall not oblige GWR to award any Call-Off Contract to any Framework Supplier.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. 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.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Make sure your bid arrives before 11:59pm, Monday 5 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Courier and Freight Distribution Services
7 December 2026 to 6 December 2028
What this lot covers

Courier and light/medium freight distribution services by road for Standard and High‑Priority Goods, including, but not limited to, Traction and Rolling Stock components, general stores and documentation, including time‑critical and 24/7 response movements. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5345&Culture=en-GB

Transport, Postal and courier£666,666
Transport and Distribution of Large or Heavy Traction and Rolling Stock Components (GVW ≤ 44 tonnes)
7 December 2026 to 6 December 2028
What this lot covers

Transport by road of complete or partial Traction and Rolling Stock major assemblies and components up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes, generally as Standard Priority, where Abnormal Indivisible Load regulations do not normally apply. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5362&Culture=en-GB

Transport, Postal and courier£666,666
Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Indivisible Load Transport
7 December 2026 to 6 December 2028
What this lot covers

Specialist heavy haulage services for outsized Traction and Rolling Stock major assemblies, individual Power Cars, Carriages and Rail Units exceeding standard road limits, including Abnormal Indivisible Loads requiring specialist permits, planning, escorts and equipment. Spend across the Lots: Spend across lots may increase or decrease over time due to changes in requirements, budget availability, or strategic priorities. GWR will reserve the right to allocate spend flexibly across lots as needed. To express an interest, please click the link below: https://s2c-uk62.waxdigital.com/FirstGroupPlc/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=5363&Culture=en-GB

Transport, Postal and courier£666,668

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 085598-2026

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From notice 085598-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 10 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.