Client Support Framework (CSF)

Value: £350m
Closes: 13 Nov 2026 (5 days)
Where: UK-wide
Lots: 3
Suitable for SMEs: Yes, says the buyer
Contract: 1 May 2028 – 30 Apr 2040

Framework: winning a place puts you on an approved list for future work. It's the entry ticket, not guaranteed work.

In plain English

East West Rail Company Limited wants three suppliers, one per lot, to provide client support services for the East West Rail programme (Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge), across the UK, from 1 May 2028 to 30 April 2040. This sets up a framework, meaning a list of approved suppliers; a place on it is the entry ticket to future work, not guaranteed work, and the estimated value is £350,000,000.

Good fit for: Established consultancies offering programme controls and reporting, commercial and contract administration, or project and construction management support on major rail or infrastructure programmes.

The catch (with the notice's own words):

Multi-stage selection process before bidding fully Stage 1 - PSQ stage to include Legal and Financial Capacity , Conflict of Interest declarations and Technical ability.
Only shortlisted firms get to submit full tender Stage 2 - ITT stage for shortlisted suppliers to include Quality and Commercial evaluation.
Winners barred from the separate ITOAE Partner role the appointed CSF Partners will not be eligible to be appointed under the ITOAE for the duration of the CSF contracts.
May need an ethical walls agreement for conflicts Stage 0 - Expression of Interest and Ethical Walls Agreement where relevant.

Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.

What the buyer says

The East West Railway Company (the Authority) is responsible for the delivery of East West Rail (EWR), a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project providing new and upgraded rail links between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. EWR Co. is responsible for leading the development, procurement, and commissioning of the railway. The Authority is undertaking a procurement for Client Support Framework (CSF) Partners to support the development and delivery of the EWR programme. Overview of the Intended Contract The Authority is establishing a 3 lot / single appointed supplier per lot framework for the provision of Client Support Services (CSF) for a period of twelve (12) years. Relationship with the ITOAE Partner The Authority is separately procuring an Integration, Technical, Operations, Assurance and Environmental (ITOAE) Partner. The Authority's current position is that the CSF partners will be structurally separated from the ITOAE, such that the appointed CSF Partners will not be eligible to be appointed under the ITOAE for the duration of the CSF contracts. The purpose of this separation is to protect the independence of assurance and advice, to mitigate real or perceived conflicts of interest, and to align with independent review findings on major programme governance (including the Stewart Review, 2025). The Conditions of Participation are :- Stage 0 - Expression of Interest and Ethical Walls Agreement where relevant. Stage 1 - PSQ stage to include Legal and Financial Capacity , Conflict of Interest declarations and Technical ability. Stage 2 - ITT stage for shortlisted suppliers to include Quality and Commercial evaluation. Stage 3 - Optional negotiation. All be set in accordance with the Authority's obligations under the Procurement Act 2023 and th…

Read the official notice Tender documents

Getting the documents

eastwestrail.ukp.app.jaggaer.com (the buyer's own site, usually free to register).

Procedure: Competitive flexible procedure (Flexible: the buyer sets the stages, often a shortlist first, then bids). Published 30 Oct 2026.

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