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National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3

National Highways

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Apr 2025 at 11:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3 project, initiated by National Highways, focuses on the provision, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications services across the Strategic Road Network (SRN). As the buying organisation, National Highways is seeking to ensure the seamless integration and functionality of their dedicated telecommunications infrastructure, crucial for managing roadside devices and ensuring smooth traffic flow and safety. The procurement process is presently at the tender stage, using a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with recent Procurement Regulations. Potential suppliers must express interest by 21 May 2025, with the enquiry period closing on 8 May 2025. The NRTS3 contract, scheduled to commence on 16 September 2027 and concluding by 15 March 2035, carries an estimated value of £643,624,252 and allows for a selective procurement method focusing on telecommunications services.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in telecommunications, IT services, and infrastructure development. There is a significant demand for companies capable of providing cutting-edge solutions for telecommunications services, software packages, and construction work related to these areas. Businesses experienced in handling large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those leveraging digital transformations and sustainable practices, will find themselves well-positioned to compete. The scope includes supporting the upgrade of the existing analogue CCTV system to digital and developing innovative solutions to meet emerging business needs. SMEs promoting growth through innovation in telecommunications and related technologies may find notable opportunities through this procurement effort, fostering potential long-term relationships with a pivotal public authority, National Highways.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3

Notice Description

National Highways has its own dedicated telecommunications infrastructure known as the National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS). It is predominantly an optical fibre network running along the Strategic Road Network (SRN). NRTS is National Highways' "one-stop-shop" service for the provision of all roadside telecommunications and connectivity needs. To keep road users safe and to make sure traffic flows smoothly, National Highways rely on some 38,000 roadside devices such as CCTV, Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD), Variable Message Signs (VMS), Signals and Emergency Roadside Telephones (ERTs). NRTS is the network that helps all these devices talk to each other and to the systems which are used to manage the SRN from within regional and national operating centres. This service underpins and ensures the safe, secure and sustainable management and operation of the SRN. It provides the enabling technology and functionality to deliver the National Highways Delivery Plan and our commitments to deliver the objectives of the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS). Consequently, the NRTS3 project will provide capability to deliver the strategic objectives of National Highways through to at least the end of the RIS4 period in 2035. Without NRTS National Highways roadside operational technology would become inoperable. Without NRTS, operations staff would be without CCTV and critical performance data upon which strategic operational decisions are based and would not have the capability to set signs and signals to inform and influence road user's behaviours and choices. National Highways roadside devices and technology (signs, signals etc.) and the technology and systems within Regional Operations Centres (ROCs) and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) that control the roadside devices, are not part of NRTS. The operation of almost all roadside devices on the Strategic Road Network and connectivity to and between operations centres is provided by NRTS. This opportunity relates to the provision, operation and maintenance of telecommunications services between the roadside technology and various central locations operated by and on behalf of National Highways, the body responsible for England's SRN. Additionally, it may be necessary to further develop and enhance services and solutions to meet the changing requirements of National Highways operational roadside technology, and to undertake a programme of renewal to address active network components which will become obsolete during the course of the contract, and which may no longer be supportable. These services are currently provided by Telent Technology Services Limited through an outsourced agreement (NRTS2) which expires in March 2028. The NRTS3 contract will need to be both procured and mobilised at least six months prior to this date to ensure a period of smooth transition between Telent Technology Services Ltd and the NRTS3 Service Provider. The scope of the NRTS3 services will be a continuation of the existing NRTS2 services including the operation and maintenance of the network, and delivery of connectivity services to schemes. The NRTS3 Service Provider will be required to develop a sustainable, affordable and cost-effective NRTS equipment renewal strategy with a focus on critical obsolescence management to ensure the current suite of services are adequately supported. Renewal of some legacy equipment will be required early in the NRTS3 contract. National Highways will continue to utilise legacy roadside operational technology throughout the period of theNRTS3 contract. NRTS3 is therefore required to continue to support the existing connectivity to these roadside devices. (including RS485 and "plain old telephone service" (POTS) dependent upon legacy copper-based technologies). The NRTS3 Service Provider shall also be responsible for the development of a replacement hardware device referred to as an Internet Protocol Translator (IPT) which provides translation to/from the IP/RS485-based protocol currently used by a substantial proportion of roadside technology. The existing National Highways analogue CCTV estate is expected to be upgraded to digital by 2030. The NRTS3 Service Provider may be required to support National Highways with the upgrade of a proportion of the analogue CCTV cameras (roadside end devices) as a part of this programme of works. This would be an additional task to the delivery of the NRTS programme. The role which the NRTS3 Service Provider may undertake shall be limited to the installation and commissioning of free-issue equipment to be procured by National Highways. Additionally, Tenderers will be required to provide a price for the optional Corporate Network Services to deliver and maintain the connectivity to and within National Highways offices and other central locations. This service shall require no systems level integration with the roads telecommunications services. A decision on its inclusion shall be taken by National Highways during the pre-contract period.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The NRTS3 contract contains an option for National Highways to fulfil its requirements for networking capability to and within its offices nationwide. NRTS has traditionally functioned solely as the operational network, disaggregated from the corporate network but under NRTS3, the contract unambiguously provides National Highways the option to bring both the operational and corporate network together (though this element is not evaluated as part of the procurement). In addition, as part of the continual improvement of the NRTS3 services, either party may propose innovations to the NRTS services throughout the contract term. These innovations may be developed in order to improve service delivery and/or to support emerging business needs and requirements. Such activities are delivered through Innovation Projects in accordance with the contract, against defined scope and requirements. Again, whilst unambiguously provided for in the contract, this is not evaluated as part of the procurement.

Renewal: Up to a maximum of 24 months extension.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050635
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016468-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

45 - Construction work

48 - Software package and information systems

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

45000000 - Construction work

48000000 - Software package and information systems

64200000 - Telecommunications services

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£643,624,252 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£643,624,252 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
8 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Sep 2027 - 15 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
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
GUILDFORD
Postcode
GU1 4LZ
Postcode Area
Guildford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ25 West Surrey
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Guildford
Electoral Ward
Stoke
Westminster Constituency
Guildford

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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