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Trackside Acoustic Detection System (TADS)
AI Summary
Chiltern Rail Limited is seeking to replace its existing Trackside Acoustic Detection System (TADS), a wayside acoustic monitoring solution that has been in operation since 2015 for detecting defective axle bearings and other bogie‑mounted rotating components. The current system has become unreliable and experienced several outages, prompting Chiltern’s request for market information on potential replacement solutions and delivery approaches. The procurement will support a comprehensive replacement programme, encompassing system design, Network Rail approval, and coordination with civil engineering and safety requirements.
The scope of the requirement covers the full lifecycle of the new equipment, including decommissioning of the current TADS infrastructure and ensuring sites are secured, civil works where necessary, installation of new detection hardware, development of a user interface and associated software suite, and provision of ongoing maintenance and support. Suppliers are expected to demonstrate capability to deliver a robust, fully integrated system that meets Chiltern’s safety, operational, and business decision‑making needs.
All proposed solutions must comply with Network Rail technical specifications for wayside detection equipment and be fully compatible with existing UK signalling and operational systems.
Description
TADS has been used by Chiltern since 2015 to monitor the health and condition of axle bearings and other bogie mounted rotating components. TADS is a wayside system developed by “Transportation Technology Centre Inc” (TTCI) for the purpose of detecting defective railroad bearing prior to failure. This system uses microphone-based technology to collect the acoustic signature of each bearing on a passing train. This data is processed thorough a collection of algorithms to identify defective bearings. The resulting information is used to drive critical safety, business and operational decisions.
TADS is becoming unreliable and has suffered several outages more recently therefore Chiltern is seeking information from the market regarding potential solutions and delivery approaches for its replacement.
The scope of requirement may include:
• System design and Network Rail approval.
• Decommissioning existing equipment and making the site safe.
• Civil engineering where required for the new equipment.
• Instillation of new equipment.
• User interface/software package.
• Ongoing maintenance and support.
Further requirements are detailed within the draft specifications included within the documents provided.
The purpose of this RFI is to:
• Understand the solutions and delivery models currently available in the market;
• Determine whether the requirement is best delivered through lots or separate procurements;
• Test and refine the draft functional and non-functional requirements;
• Understand implementation;
• Obtain indicative pricing and commercial information;
• Identify likely implementation timescales, dependencies and risks.
The estimated contract value, contract duration and final procurement structure have not yet been determined. Suppliers are therefore being asked to provide information on available commercial models, indicative pricing, implementation timescales and the main factors affecting cost.
This is preliminary market engagement only and does not constitute an invitation to tender or a commitment by Chiltern Railways to commence a future procurement. The purpose is to help Chiltern understand market capability and develop its requirements, commercial approach and procurement strategy, which is consistent with the intended function of preliminary market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023.
Estimated date of publication of contract notice: 2026-12-09T23:59:59Z
Contract location: UK
Engagement process description
This preliminary market engagement will be conducted electronically through Market Dojo. No physical supplier events are currently planned. The engagement will commence on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Suppliers will be provided with access to the Request for Information questionnaire, the draft requirements spreadsheet and the relevant background information through Market Dojo. Suppliers wishing to participate should register with Market Dojo at the following URL: https://marketdojo.com/market-dojo-sign-up/ and once registered, use invitation code: 4AF903D4B4 to access the event.
Once access has been gained, all communications relating to the engagement must take place through Market Dojo. This includes the submission of clarification questions, Chiltern Railways' responses to those questions and the submission of completed RFI responses. Clarification questions must be submitted through Market Dojo by 14:00 on Tuesday 13 October 2026. Chiltern Railways intends to issue consolidated responses to clarification questions through Market Dojo by Friday 16 October 2026. Completed responses must be submitted through Market Dojo by 14:00 on Friay 30 October 2026. Following review of the responses, Chiltern Railways may invite suppliers to participate in further market engagement discussions or solution demonstrations. Any further sessions will be arranged separately and will remain part of the preliminary market engagement process.
Lot: 1
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En