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

What the buyer is asking for

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.

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 60%qualityQuality
• 40%pricePrice

3 lots

You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for all of them.

• Courier and Freight Distribution Services£667k

  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 and Distribution of Large or Heavy Traction and Rolling Stock Components (GVW ≤ 44 tonnes)£667k

  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

• Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Indivisible Load Transport£667k

  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

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 37 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

3 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published12 days ago

   10 Sept 2026, 07:59 BST
2. Submission deadlinein 14 days

   5 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
3. Award decision expected byin 77 days

   7 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender

1. Tender notice10 Sept 2026, 07:59 BST085598-2026

Documents

• E-Procurement Portal: The Client is using Wax Digital (current e-procurement portal). The detail within Wax Digital applicable to this tender describes how the Procurement will be conducted, including details of the associated Procurement timetable, participation and award criteria and how to respond to this opportunity. Tenderers are strongly encouraged to read through each tab/section before preparing their submission. Tenderers are also encouraged to review all attachments published with this tender. Tenderers not allocated to this procurement already will need to contact GWR using the details within this notice to be attached and receive the full tender document set.
• Tender notice on Find a Tender