Metrolink New Rolling Stock

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-105068 Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-07b3bd TfGM is preparing to procure a new fleet of high floor light rail rolling stock to support the renewal of the fleet and future development of the Metrolink network. The procurement will seek a capable manufacturing partner to design, manufacture, test, commission and support the introduction into service of the new tram vehicles for tram and tram-train operation, including the provision of associated technical documentation, training, spares and whole life support (non-exhaustive). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK, patronage is at record levels and work is underway to renew, add capacity and expand the reach of the network to more parts of Greater Manchester.

The Metrolink system currently comprises a fleet of 147 trams, over 100 kilometers of track and overhead line, 99 stops, 2 depots and growing patronage of over 46. 6 million passenger journeys per annum (March 2026). Metrolink is the largest light rail network in the UK.

This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise will allow for a better understanding of the marketplace's capabilities in delivering the new rolling stock for Metrolink. Participation in this PME is voluntary, and this exercise is entirely separate from any subsequent procurement activity. Participation or non-participation in this market sounding will not affect the opportunity for suppliers to participate in any subsequent procurement and will not form part of any procurement assessment or selection process.

Similarly, this exercise is not a commitment or indication by TfGM of an intended procurement approach to the market. This is the first of two planned preliminary market engagements (should sufficient detail be provided during this first market sounding TfGM reserve the right not to proceed with the second preliminary market engagement) and initially will be to understand market appetite and capability. (As noted Metrolink trams are high floor and interested parties responding to this first notice should have the appropriate manufacturing capability).

Suppliers responding to this PME will/may be invited to take part in individual workshops. The purpose of the meetings will be to enable a more detailed and focused discussion between TfGM and the individual suppliers, to enable TfGM to better understand market perspectives and shape the future arrangements accordingly. TfGM panel members may differ, depending on the questionnaire responses and corresponding staff availability.

TfGM will host up to 6 workshops. If there are more suppliers than workshop slots, TfGM will need to filter suppliers to provide as broad a selection of perspectives as possible across those workshops. A selection of suppliers will be made on the basis of providing a good range of responses for TfGM to best understand market perspectives.

Due to time and resource constraints, TfGM will issue invitations for these workshops only to organisations intending to bid for the opportunity, not supply chain entities or bidder support organisations. Interested suppliers should register interest via the Pro Contract messaging function within this opportunity - a PME questionnaire will then be issued and must be returned via the same route. Note - interested suppliers must use the messaging function within this opportunity to register interest, receive, and respond to the questionnaire.