Benchmarking of Network Rail support functions

*Please note that this is a re-advertised opportunity. The scope for this service has been amended from the previous one*

The ORR has recently begun its 2023 periodic review of Network Rail covering the five years from April 2024 to March 2029. A central element of every periodic review is a cost assessment whereby ORR determines the appropriate level of expenditure required to deliver the outputs set by funders and ORR.

This invitation to tender is concerned with the assessment of Network Rail's expenditure on an element of its support functions. These functions are typically delivered centrally rather than by geographical business units and so they are often described as central costs - however, the relevance of the activity is of more pertinence than the allocation. Additionally, there are also certain activities delivered or commissioned centrally that are not considered to be support functions (such as large-scale or highly specialised maintenance or renewal projects) these are outside of this requirement.

Please see attached documents for full scope of services.