Market Engagement Notice – Caledonian Sleeper Limited Locomotive and operational services provision

This notice is published by Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL) and is intended to advertise a forthcoming market engagement exercise. This is in relation to an intended procurement for the contracted provision of locomotives and associated operational services to CSL due to the current arrangements expiring in 2030. This procurement will be subject to approval from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The services being sought include:

Provision of new or refurbished locomotives capable of operating with the MK5 fleet over electrified and non-electrified routes

Provision of maintenance, spares and facilities to support the locomotive fleet

Provision of drivers and associated support

Provision of operational control and associated support

This market engagement is open to all entities capable of supplying all or part of the services being sought. The principal aim of this exercise is to understand the potential solutions available to CSL to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of those services and market interest from suitably qualified providers in contracting with CSL to provide those solutions. CSL is open to input and expertise from the market to help shape the successful future of the operation.

CSL intends to undertake further procurement steps as appropriate following completion of market engagement.

Any interested parties should send an email requesting further details a Non-Disclosure Agreement to procurement@caledoniansleeper.scot, they will be required to return a signed non-disclosure agreement prior to any further engagement with CSL. This NDA will cover all information shared by CSL and also any engagement with Scottish Rail Holdings or Transport Scotland as applicable. Following receipt of any registered interest expressed through PCS and subject to a signed NDA, CSL intends to invite those parties to complete and return a Market Engagement Questionnaire (MEQ) and may also set up initial engagement sessions either virtually or in person with some, all or none of those parties based on the MEQ responses received. The NDA will be required to ensure fair and effective competition in the preparation and conduct of the tender competition and is in the interests of achieving Best value for the tax payer.

Interested entities should note that invitations to (and information on) subsequent events or activities (such as technical meetings and questionnaires) will only be provided to those entities who have registered by following the instructions above. There will be no further notice of those subsequent events.