This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2026 at 15:31

Award

22 Jun 2026 at 10:45

PlanningUpdate

08 Aug 2025 at 09:14

Planning

06 Aug 2025 at 13:19

Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited has recently completed a procurement process for the contract titled "Specialist advice and testing on corrosive protection of Steelwork," aimed at providing independent technical advice on paint and corrosion protection for steelwork in highway structures. This contract falls under the services category, focusing on corrosion engineering, and covers locations across England. The contract was awarded directly to Socotec UK Limited, valued at £360,000, with a contractual period from 24th August 2026 to 24th August 2028, with the potential for a two-year extension. The procurement involved a direct award approach due to the specificity of requirements, which necessitated UK-based laboratories and specific accreditation levels.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in corrosion engineering and related services, specifically those equipped with UKAS-accredited facilities and personnel qualified to advanced standards in corrosion protection. Ideal contenders are large-scale businesses with the capability to deliver specialist technical advice, perform inspections and testing, and manage extensive maintenance projects across the strategic road network in England. With National Highways' focus on maintaining a substantial number of steel structures, this contract provides a platform for businesses to showcase their expertise and expand their footprint in infrastructure-related services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Specialist advice and testing on corrosive protection of Steelwork

Notice Description

National Highways (NH) is looking to secure the provision of a single supplier to provide independent specialist technical advice on all issues relating to paints and the corrosion protection of steelwork used in our highway structures. As well as providing specialist technical advice the services will include undertaking inspections of paint to structures on sites within England, obtaining and testing paint samples and the testing of paints to ensure durability of products used. The strategic road network includes motorways, and single and dual carriageway all-purpose trunk roads. It is proposed to construct a large number of steel highway structures associated with major schemes. National Highways is also responsible for maintaining approximately 1750 steel bridges, 3000 steel gantry structures and many minor steel structures such as masts and lighting columns on the strategic road network

Planning Information

Please complete the Microsoft form available at - https://forms.office.com/e/gFEEERCWvz

Procurement Information

The specialist advice and testing contract requires a company which can provide independent specialist technical advice on paints and the corrosion protection of steelwork used in our highway structures, as well as undertaking inspections of paint to structures on sites within England and the testing of paints to ensure durability of products used. National Highways can only contract with organisation that has laboratories based in the UK including that the paint inspection and facility capabilities are fully UKAS accredited, and self deliver all elements of the scope. There is a need for a UK testing facility and UKAS accreditation requirements. There is also a mandatory requirement that all personnel must be qualified to a minimum level 2 of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) and Institute of Corrosion (Corr) personnel. National Highways released a UK2 Market Engagement Notice in August 2025 to start market engagement activities and understand the capability of the suppliers in this sector. Following extensive engagement there was only one supplier identified that could provide the services are described above and so NH moved away from an open market competition to a Direct Award approach.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058291
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072377-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71337000 - Corrosion engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
31 May 20262 months ago
Contract Period
23 Aug 2026 - 24 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED
Additional Buyers

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
Post Town
Guildford
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

SOCOTEC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058291-2026-07-30T16:31:10+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-30T16:31:10+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058291",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-09346363",
            "name": "National Highways",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "09346363"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close",
                "locality": "Guildford",
                "postalCode": "GU1 4LZ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ25"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "caroline.tonge2@nationalhighways.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://nationalhighways.co.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PGMJ-3793-VBBN",
            "name": "National Highways Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PGMJ-3793-VBBN"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B4 6GA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "indirectprocurementmailbox@nationalhighways.co.uk",
                "telephone": "0300 123 5000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://nationalhighways.co.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PHHH-6545-HJVV",
            "name": "Socotec UK Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PHHH-6545-HJVV"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Derwent House, Bretby Business Park Ashby Road",
                "locality": "Burton on Trent",
                "postalCode": "DE15 0YZ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKF13"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Socotec.Bids@socotec.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PGMJ-3793-VBBN",
        "name": "National Highways Limited"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Please complete the Microsoft form available at - https://forms.office.com/e/gFEEERCWvz",
                "dueDate": "2025-08-25T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "046559-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046559-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-06T14:19:37+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "047153-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047153-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-08T10:14:09+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058291",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Specialist advice and testing on corrosive protection of Steelwork",
        "description": "National Highways (NH) is looking to secure the provision of a single supplier to provide independent specialist technical advice on all issues relating to paints and the corrosion protection of steelwork used in our highway structures. As well as providing specialist technical advice the services will include undertaking inspections of paint to structures on sites within England, obtaining and testing paint samples and the testing of paints to ensure durability of products used. The strategic road network includes motorways, and single and dual carriageway all-purpose trunk roads. It is proposed to construct a large number of steel highway structures associated with major schemes. National Highways is also responsible for maintaining approximately 1750 steel bridges, 3000 steel gantry structures and many minor steel structures such as masts and lighting columns on the strategic road network",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71337000",
                        "description": "Corrosion engineering services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 360000,
            "amount": 300000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-01-01T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-12-31T23:59:59+00:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-12-31T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-09-30T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "The specialist advice and testing contract requires a company which can provide independent specialist technical advice on paints and the corrosion protection of steelwork used in our highway structures, as well as undertaking inspections of paint to structures on sites within England and the testing of paints to ensure durability of products used. National Highways can only contract with organisation that has laboratories based in the UK including that the paint inspection and facility capabilities are fully UKAS accredited, and self deliver all elements of the scope. There is a need for a UK testing facility and UKAS accreditation requirements. There is also a mandatory requirement that all personnel must be qualified to a minimum level 2 of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) and Institute of Corrosion (Corr) personnel. National Highways released a UK2 Market Engagement Notice in August 2025 to start market engagement activities and understand the capability of the suppliers in this sector. Following extensive engagement there was only one supplier identified that could provide the services are described above and so NH moved away from an open market competition to a Direct Award approach.",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 360000,
                "amount": 300000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PHHH-6545-HJVV",
                    "name": "Socotec UK Limited"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71337000",
                            "description": "Corrosion engineering services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-08-24T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2028-08-24T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2030-08-23T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "A possible extension of up to 2 years is included in the contract"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "058427-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058427-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-22T11:45:39+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "072377-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072377-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-07-30T16:31:10+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-08-20T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ],
            "date": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ]
}