Award

S30054 Suppression and Fighting Techniques for EV & Hydrogen Fuelled Fires

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Dec 2025 at 15:11

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process under discussion involves National Highways Limited as the buying organisation, focusing on the award stage of a tender titled "S30054 Suppression and Fighting Techniques for EV & Hydrogen Fuelled Fires." This project, classified under development consultancy services, is intended to address methods to tackle battery fires in electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). The contract was awarded to Costain Limited, covering a range of analyses and recommendations aimed at understanding and mitigating the risks associated with such fires across various road types. This selective procurement was actioned through a call-off from a framework agreement, with the contract running from 2nd December 2025 to 31st March 2026. Although the contract value is GBP 49,975.32, it encompasses work in multiple regions, including British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and the United Kingdom.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies with expertise in fire suppression technology, automotive safety design, and environmental consultancy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in developing early fire detection systems or advancing battery technology may find this particularly appealing. The scope for delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety measures for electric vehicles on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) can be a catalyst for further business expansion, especially for those involved in sustainable technology and vehicle manufacturing sectors. Collaborating on this project could position these businesses at the forefront of cutting-edge solutions in a growing industry, with potential access to future similar opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

S30054 Suppression and Fighting Techniques for EV & Hydrogen Fuelled Fires

Notice Description

The following activities are required for this scope of works: 1. To understand the cause of battery fires in eHGVs: a. Causes of battery failure b. Road traffic accident As part of this analysis the research should investigate if battery age increases the risk of a fire. 2. To understand the current practices expected to be used by the fire service to treat a battery fire: a. For a single battery powered HGV b. For a multi vehicle - multi fuel fire road traffic accident involving an eHGV c. Batteries housed in an accompanying trailer This element of the project should identify the pollutants emitted during the fire event, contamination and pollutant pathways during and post fire, and the likely duration to deal with the fire to state where the vehicle can be handed over to a third party and not constitute on going fire risk to the safe use of the SRN. 3. What are the impacts, incident management and risks to the operation of the SRN for customers and the road asset for the following road types: a. Motorway; b. All purpose trunk roads; c. Single carriageways; d. Tunnels; e. Bridges - consideration of a vehicle both on and under the structure should be evaluated. As part of this analysis consideration as to whether the impacts of fire event in a eHGV on the SRN is higher, lower or similar to current fire incidents associated with diesel powered HGVs, setting out the reasons for reaching the outcome. 4. To investigate opportunities to mitigate the risk of fire starting and treatment of a fires through the investigation of: a. Technology opportunity to provide early warning systems of battery cell failure or other aspects of battery system that may lead to a fire b. Opportunities to minimise the impacts of damage to the batteries caused by a road traffic accident c. Future advancements in battery technologies d. Current research and innovations, including fire suppression techniques. 5. To understand safety measures that vehicle manufacturers have incorporated into the design and manufacture of eHGVs to minimise the risk of thermal runaway events for their vehicles. 6. To describe the risk profile for the different techniques used to tackle eHGV fires by road types on SRN for: a. The operation of the SRN b. Maintenance of the road asset c. Treatment of any waste streams from the fire up to point the vehicle no longer poses a fire risk 7. To set out any recommendations for future areas of work, not covered by current or planned areas of research to: a. Reduce the risk of fires in battery powered HGVs to the SRN b. Minimise the risk of a battery fire c. Manage pollutants arising from the treatment of the fire, until the vehicle no longer poses a fire risk. Consultant's Deliverable: a report covering the items listed in 1 to 7 above.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-5eebdea2-ce14-4c10-a934-76368b9b3f1e
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/64d4df92-dbbe-4d8e-b2df-f71adac4743c
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73220000 - Development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£49,975 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£49,975 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
2 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COSTAIN

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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