Rail Safety and Standards Board: T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies

Rail Safety and Standards Board is using Delta eSourcing to run this tender exercise

Notice Summary

Title:	T1389 Rules and standards to enable autonomous movement of inspection technologies
Notice type:	UK4: Tender notice
Authority:	Rail Safety and Standards Board
Nature of contract:	Services
Procedure:	Below threshold - Open competition
Short Description:	While systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement have demonstrated operational readiness, their use remains constrained by existing rules and definitions that do not reflect their modern capabilities. While aerial inspection platforms such as drones are increasingly used across the rail industry, this research focuses solely on “systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement” for inspection operations, defined here as ground-based technologies operating on or near the track. This research aims to unlock their potential by identifying regulatory blockers and enablers.
Published:	08/08/2025 16:16

This opportunity is currently OPEN. To respond to the opportunity, please click Register Interest and follow the on-screen instructions.

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UK-London: Research services.

Scope

Description: While systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement have demonstrated operational readiness, their use remains constrained by existing rules and definitions that do not reflect their modern capabilities. While aerial inspection platforms such as drones are increasingly used across the rail industry, this research focuses solely on “systems capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous movement” for inspection operations, defined here as ground-based technologies operating on or near the track.

This research aims to unlock their potential by identifying regulatory blockers and enablers.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Research-services./66S353C8J2

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/66S353C8J2

Total value (estimated):

GBP 100,000 excluding VAT GBP 120,000 including VAT

Description

Contract dates (estimated)
06/10/2025 to 06/04/2026
CPV Classifications:
73110000 - Research services.

Contract can be extended:
No

Extension Date:

Delivery regions:
Not Provided
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: W2 Tenderer’s understanding and methodology [Max 4 pages] / Weighting: 35
Quality criterion - Name: W3 Tenderer’s experience and individual expertise [Max 2 pages, excluding CVs] / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: W4 Project management: Planning and engagement / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: W5 Project management: Risks and opportunities / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Price / Weighting: 20

Submission

Enquiry deadline: 05/09/2025 Time: 12:00Tender submission deadline: 19/09/2025 Time: 12:00
Submission address and any special instructions: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/
An electronic auction will be used: No

Procedure

Procedure type: Below threshold - open competition

Contracting authority

       Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB), PVGN-9767-BLPT
       25 Fenchurch Avenue,, London, EC3M 5AD, United Kingdom
       Tel. +44 2031425651, Email: Procurement@RSSB.co.uk
       Contact: Procurement Team
       Address of the buyer profile: www.rssb.co.uk

Organisation type: BODY_PUBLIC
Devolved regulations that apply: None