Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bd4-6704-731b-a300-ef50bd4e4519/future-labs-rail-industry-energy-resilience closed GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Future Labs - Rail Industry Energy Resilience [Transpennine Trains Limited](https://tendernation.io/buyers/transpennine-trains-limited) Estimated value £50,000 Published 8 May 2026 Deadline Closed 1 Jun 2026 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Sets up a framework Winning a place does not guarantee work: contracts are awarded later as call-offs, and the list usually stays closed for years. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender The rail industry is calling on the UK’s brightest minds to help shape the future of transport, inviting creators, problem-solvers and disruptors from every corner of the country to help improve sustainability, safety and accessibility across Britain’s rail network. Through Future Labs, the public ownership flagship innovation programme, Britain’s train operators are seeking pioneering solutions to four of rail’s toughest challenges. DFTO train operators have environmental and sustainability targets, whether that is for their overall carbon emissions, or specific to certain parts of their operations. In stations, we want to meet targets such as the creation of net zero stations. Severe weather events are occurring more frequently and are already impacting our operations. There is a risk that such events may impact our ability to provide a safe and operational environments for our customers and people in the future. We also know that energy generation comes from a variety of sources, and not all are renewable (low carbon intensive). As a consumer of electricity, DFTO operators cannot stipulate exactly where our electricity comes from, and the balance of power sources is very weather dependent. Although we may have purchased green energy financially, this does not mean that we are actually consuming green energy (this is a financial arrangement only). Energy production and transmission is based on regional generation and whole network loading, which is managed entirely by National Grid. There are current plans to install battery storage within some stations to store greener energy, either from onsite generation, or from when the local grid is providing low carbon intensity energy. When it comes to energy resilience, Future Labs is seeking new ways to generate, store and manage clean energy directly on-site. Innovators are encouraged to explore how battery systems, solar power or novel technologies could help stations become self-sufficient, resilient and low carbon, even in the face of disruption. Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in scope: •LNER, •TransPennine Express, Northern Trains, •Southeastern, •South Western Railway, •c2c •West Midlands Railway •London Northwestern Railway and •Greater Anglia. ### Objectives of the engagement The contracting authority wishes to engage with the market to: •Understand market capability and capacity •Explore potential delivery models and commercial approaches •Inform the scope, structure and procurement strategy of any future process Read full description ## CPV classification Energy and related services Energy-management services Energy-efficiency consultancy services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-064754-2026-05-08T14:24:52+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-064754-2026-05-08T14:24:52+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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