National Highways has initiated its latest framework, valued at £495M, for specialist professional and technical services.
- The framework will encompass a vast array of services, including engineering consultancy and technical advice.
- Set to run for six years, it aims to recruit six diverse suppliers to fulfil its requirements.
- The framework supports major governmental objectives, including economic and environmental goals.
- Interested suppliers must submit their participation request by 11 October.
In a significant move, National Highways has unveiled a £495 million framework, inviting suppliers to provide specialist professional and technical services. This extensive framework is expected to cover an array of services, including road transport-related technical consultancy, engineering advice, as well as research and innovation contributions.
This new framework, named the Specialist Professional and Technical Service 3 Framework, is projected to last six years. National Highways plans to appoint six suppliers who are expected to deploy diverse supply chains to offer specialised support across multiple domains. The framework is integral to supporting the government’s economic and environmental objectives, including the ambitious carbon net zero target during Roads Period 3 (RIS3).
Suppliers may be invited through several awarding methods, including mini-competitions, single responses to expressions of interest, or direct awards. Although primarily intended for projects within England, suppliers may be called upon to extend their expertise beyond England in collaboration with the Department for Transport if necessary.
The framework’s six-year duration is crucial due to the extensive mobilisation period and substantial investment required from suppliers to meet obligations and ensure effective project delivery. The previous framework iteration, spanning four years from 2020 to 2024, involved major players such as Atkins Jacobs JV and Arup, highlighting the framework’s robustness and appeal.
The scope of services under the current framework is broad, encompassing areas such as asset operation, customer insight, transport engineering, and strategic transport planning. Specific categories include incidents management, intelligent transport systems, and environmental geotechnical engineering, among others.
With the deadline for participation requests looming on 11 October, interested parties must align quickly to become a part of this strategic initiative. The framework not only promises to advance the nation’s road infrastructure but also aligns with broader governmental ambitions.
This framework represents a pivotal development in advancing National Highways’ strategic objectives.
