Pre-Market Engagement for the Supply of Geosynthetics

Following publication of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice on 18 November 2025, Network Rail can confirm that the preliminary market engagement has now been completed. The engagement attracted strong interest from across the supply chain and provided valuable insight into current market capability and capacity.

Suppliers shared feedback and the practicalities of delivering long-term value across the network. The feedback has been constructive in helping Network Rail shape the final tender documentation, lot structure, and evaluation methodology

Network Rail wishes to update the market following the conclusion of the preliminary market engagement:

The procurement will proceed using a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, comprising Pre-Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) and Invitation to Tender (ITT) stages.

A number of recurring points were raised. The following provides Network Rail’s formal response.

1. Product Acceptance (PA)

Recognising that a product will need to obtain product approval, questions were raised in relation to how the PA process will work in practice. The PA process will be conducted by Network Rail’s dedicated Product Acceptance team. During the PA process, each supplier will be assigned a dedicated Product Acceptance team member to support progression through the assessment, documentation, and approval requirements. The PA assessment will be undertaken against the relevant, applicable, and current National and/or International Standards in force at the time of submission of the product into the PA process, as well as by reference to the specification to be provided as part of the tender documents.

As set out in the PME notice, suppliers may tender without existing PA certification; however, no supply (if successful in being appointed) can commence provision of the relevant product until full PA approval is obtained.

2. Usage Volumes

We provided volume data as part of the PME pack and updated data will be shared as part of the tender documents. The volumes are indicative only. They have been calculated using a five-year historic average and are intended solely to provide an overview of the typical demand profile.

Actual usage will fluctuate according to maintenance, renewals, and project-driven requirements. Network Rail is therefore unable to provide guaranteed volumes.

3. Roll Sizes and Dimensional Requirements

We stated roll sizes within the Lot descriptions and technical documentation provided as part of the PME pack and this information will be shared as part of the tender documents. These roll sizes are fixed requirements. These reflect on-site operational constraints, installation practices, and safety considerations.

4. Approved Use of Biaxial and Triaxial Geogrids

A question was raised in relation to use of Biaxial and triaxial geogrids. Biaxial and triaxial geogrid products have already been assessed and accepted through the PA approval process and are therefore approved for use across the Network Rail infrastructure when supplied under a valid Product Acceptance certificate.

Both are included within the relevant Lots and are considered suitable for their intended applications, subject to meeting the required technical properties and aperture specifications.

5. E-Auction

An E-auction will not form part of the tender.

Further details on the next stage and anticipated timelines will be issued in the Tender Notice. Interested suppliers are encouraged to monitor Find a Tender for the formal launch of the procurement.