Tender

Design Excellence Panel

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

16 Oct 2025 at 08:55

Tender

13 Oct 2025 at 14:47

Planning

08 Jul 2025 at 11:59

Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched an active procurement process titled "Design Excellence Panel" under the Transport for West Midlands initiative. This service-oriented procurement, with an estimated value of £240,000, focuses on enhancing transport infrastructure through exceptional design. This public tender calls for multidisciplinary experts within the West Midlands region to form a panel that will advise on various projects. Using an open, below-threshold competition, the submission deadline for tender responses is set for 7th November 2025, with the period for inquiries ending on 31st October 2025. Bidders should be prepared for a contract period commencing on 9th February 2026 and potentially extending up to 2029.

This tender represents a valuable opportunity for businesses in architecture, urban planning, engineering, and related fields. Particularly suited for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSEs), companies with experience in the West Midlands can leverage their local knowledge to enhance bid competitiveness. The initiative supports cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions in transport and public realm design, offering avenues for businesses specialising in architectural, engineering, environmental consultancy, and artistic services to expand their influence and portfolio within the public sector.

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Notice Title

Design Excellence Panel

Notice Description

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), is committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable transport infrastructure that aligns with the region's strategic objectives. Recognising the critical role of design in shaping user experience, safety, and long-term value, TfWM is establishing a Design Excellence Panel as a key mechanism to embed design thinking from the outset of project development. The Panel will act as a critical friend to project teams, offering independent, expert advice at key stages of the project lifecycle. It will support the delivery of TfWM's Local Transport Plan and its six (6) Big Moves, ensuring that all schemes, whether rail, bus, tram, or active travel, are functional, inclusive, and contextually responsive. The Panel will champion a co-design approach, fostering collaboration across disciplines and with communities to create places that are accessible, safe, welcoming and inclusive for all. The Design Excellence Panel will operate initially under a three-year programme, with periodic reviews to ensure its continued relevance and impact. Workshops will be held bi-monthly, with flexibility to increase frequency based on project demand. Site visits will be arranged as required to support a 'no site boundary' approach--encouraging consideration of wider spatial and social context. The Panel will consist of approximately twenty (20) individuals (members) drawn from a diverse range of disciplines, including: * Architecture * Landscape Architecture * Inclusive Design * Heritage and Conservation * Urban Planning * Civil and Structural Engineering * Public Health * Sustainability * Access Consultancy * Place Curation * The Arts Panel members must either live in or have demonstrable experience working within the West Midlands, ensuring a strong understanding of local context and community needs. The Panel will: * Provide design assurance aligned with TfWM's strategic goals * Champion inclusive, safe and sustainable design * Support the development of Design Guides * Promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing * Contribute to post-occupancy evaluations and continuous improvement The Panel will not: * Override statutory or technical standards * Make decisions on budgets or procurement * Enforce recommendations--these remain advisory

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Contracts will include two (2) x 12-month options to extend at WMCA's sole discretion.

Planning Information

If there are any individuals within your organisation who would be suitable to become a Design Excellence Panel member, please ensure you are registered on Bravo Solution, WMCA's e-tendering portal, and monitor Bravo for the release of any bid documents. The link to register on bravo is https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/esop/guest/login.do.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055b19
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065802-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

71220000 - Architectural design services

71240000 - Architectural, engineering and planning services

71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services

71320000 - Engineering design services

71400000 - Urban planning and landscape architectural services

92312000 - Artistic services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
25 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Feb 2026 - 8 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
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
TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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