Tender
TfL tenders 19 million pound Elizabeth Line tunnel ventilation maintenance
By Staff Writer | 08-09-2026
Transport for London has published a tender notice for planned maintenance and repairs to the tunnel ventilation and controls system on the central section of the Elizabeth Line, on behalf of Rail for London Infrastructure. The notice records an estimated value of 19,000,000 pounds excluding VAT, a three year contract from 22 March 2027 with up to two years of extension, and a deadline for requests to participate of 9 October 2026.
What is being maintained
Rail for London Infrastructure is responsible for maintenance of the Elizabeth Line, and the notice describes the tunnel ventilation and controls system as a fundamental element of that obligation. The system serves the 21 kilometres of twin-bore tunnels beneath central London. It supports normal environmental management and emergency response, including smoke extraction and safe evacuation, is integrated with the fire detection systems and is centrally managed through an automated SCADA control platform.
The notice, reference WS2530552115, was published on 7 September 2026. The main procurement category is services, under CPV code 50000000, repair and maintenance services. The special regime is utilities. Contract locations are listed across every English region, from the North East to the South West, as well as London.
Term and value
The estimated contract dates are 22 March 2027 to 21 March 2030, with a possible extension to 22 March 2032. The notice describes a three year award with extension options for a maximum of two further years. The estimated value is 19,000,000 pounds excluding VAT and 22,800,000 pounds including VAT, above the relevant threshold.
How the market was found
The notice sets out the route to the supplier list. The Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme, a qualifying utility dynamic market, was used to identify the initial longlist. Through that scheme 157 potential suppliers were identified in two categories: fixed ventilation systems, maintain; and general building management, service.
A market sounding questionnaire and expression of interest were issued to those suppliers on 12 November 2025. The results were used to shape the procurement strategy, and suppliers who engaged were invited to the procurement specific questionnaire, which was published on 29 July 2026. Suppliers who participated in that questionnaire will be invited to tender. The notice records that a preliminary market engagement notice was not published because the engagement was carried out through the scheme.
The procedure ahead. The procurement runs under the competitive flexible procedure. The steps listed are the market sounding questionnaire, the procurement specific questionnaire, an invitation to tender, a request for pricing and a best and final offer. Between three and nine suppliers are to be invited to tender.
The technical conditions of participation are weighted technical 50 percent, commercial 30 percent, health, safety, environment and quality 10 percent, and responsible procurement, meaning social value, 10 percent. The notice records particular suitability for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The enquiry deadline is 2 October 2026 at 5pm and the deadline for requests to participate is 9 October 2026 at 5pm. Submissions are made through Transport for London's e-tendering platform, and only responses submitted there will be evaluated. The scope of works, service requirements, site information and evaluation criteria are to be published on that platform. The estimated award decision date is 12 March 2027.
What is not on the notice. The notice does not name the incumbent maintainer, does not describe the number of ventilation shafts or fans in scope, and does not say whether the works include capital replacement as well as planned maintenance and repair. It gives no breakdown of the 19,000,000 pounds estimate. The contracting authority is Transport for London, 5 Endeavour Square, London, recorded as a public undertaking. This article rests on the notice alone.