Network Rail has announced the award of 82 framework contracts to deliver design services across the country, worth an estimated £400m for Control Period 6 (2019-2024) and up to £640m including the options to extend the framework into Control Period 7 (2024-2029).

The Design Services Framework (DSF) consists of four multi-discipline frameworks and 78 single-discipline frameworks. The new DSF aims to provide access to a wider range of multi-skilled suppliers including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who form circa 25% of the single discipline suppliers on the DSF.

The framework contracts, which went live on 1^st January 2020, have been awarded to the following 34 suppliers:

Multi-Discipline National Frameworks

Single Discipline Regional Frameworks

*Note: The DSF Regions align to the Network Rail Regions as follows:

North West & Scotland = North West & Central; and Scotland’s Railway

North East = Eastern

South East = Southern

South West = Wales & Western

Daljinder Chatta, Network Rail’s commercial director, said: “Network Rail will have greater access to a design support network providing mutual benefits to both Network Rail and the supply chain. Some of these include working more directly with suppliers, improved assurance, getting closer to experts, improved business and safety performance and enabling innovation to thrive.”