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S30151 CPX trailer

National Highways

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

29 Sep 2026 at 11:24

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited commissioned specialist project and technical assistance for the renewal of safety-critical technology and systems at the A38 Saltash Tunnel. The services cover checking designs to CAT3 requirements, testing and installing the technology, and ensuring the work meets the required standards. The renewal is intended to replace tunnel systems approaching the end of their service life, supporting reliable operation and driver safety. The requirement arises in the context of programme challenges and the principal contractor’s and subcontractor’s responsibilities. The work is a specialist engineering and technical consultancy service associated with tunnel technology renewal, rather than the supply of the technology alone. The buyer is National Highways Limited, based in Birmingham, and the delivery location is the A38 Saltash Tunnel.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Ove Arup & Partners Limited on 24 September 2026. The awarded value is £124,961.89. The contract runs from 28 September 2026 to 30 April 2027. The tender deadline was 27 August 2026. National Highways used a selective process, calling off from a framework agreement. The estimated tender value and awarded value are both £124,961.89. The published information does not set out separate lots or an evaluation weighting. The requirement was for services, and small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises were considered suitable to participate. The award is active.

This award demonstrates demand from National Highways for independent technical assurance and delivery support on safety-critical tunnel systems renewal. A credible competitor for a future requirement of this kind would need the engineering capability to review designs against CAT3 requirements, test and install tunnel technology, and demonstrate compliance with specified standards. Experience coordinating specialist technical assistance with a live infrastructure renewal programme would be relevant, particularly where programme constraints and interfaces with a principal contractor and subcontractor need managing. Suppliers should be able to support systems intended to improve operational resilience and keep road users safe. The route used here was a framework call-off, so relevant framework appointment and the ability to meet National Highways’ specialist requirements would be commercially important. The buyer’s stated need for external expertise indicates that suppliers must bring capabilities the organisation does not provide in-house.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

S30151 CPX trailer

Notice Description

The objective of this task is to ensure that the critical project and technical assistance including checking designs (CAT3), testing and installation of the technology on the A38 Saltash Tunnel renewal is as per required and to the specified standards. The service is being undertaken as part of the renewal of the current safety critical tunnel technology and systems which have been deemed end to be approaching the end of its life. The renewal should provide resilience, efficiencies and capabilities to allow the tunnels to operate and keep drivers safe. National Highways do not have the expertise or capabilities to provide the services required as part of this commission. The work aligns to the current programme and considers the challenges that have been encountered. However, this commission is required due to the lack of a viable and realistic programme which falls on the responsibility of the National Highways Principal Contractor and their subcontractor.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-87c44828-8629-4c2e-b9a6-4054be81c495
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/67f1fe3d-1caf-4e0e-a21a-5bb885660dac
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, VCSE
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
£124,961 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£124,961 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
28 Sep 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 6-12 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
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
Postcode Area
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

Ove Arup & Partners Ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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