Award

WINTER SERVICE AND FOYLE BRIDGE - DATA AND WEATHER STATION MANAGEMENT

DFI TRANSPORT AND ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT (TRAM)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

03 Sep 2025 at 14:10

Award

20 Aug 2025 at 10:35

Award

15 Aug 2025 at 09:16

Summary of the contracting process

The recently concluded procurement process, overseen by the DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) located in Belfast, focused on a direct award contract titled "WINTER SERVICE AND FOYLE BRIDGE - DATA AND WEATHER STATION MANAGEMENT." This contract, awarded directly to VAISALA LIMITED, a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) based in Birmingham, involves managing data and weather stations related to winter services and wind speed monitoring of the Foyle Bridge. The procurement method justified the direct award due to specific technical reasons and intellectual property rights held by VAISALA, as they initially supplied and installed the necessary equipment. The contract spans from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2028, with a gross value of £432,000, indicating central government involvement under Northern Irish devolved regulations.

This tender presents growth opportunities, specifically for businesses similar to VAISALA LIMITED, which specialize in weather forecasting services and possess unique technical capabilities tied to exclusivity rights. Companies focusing on niche technology solutions and services identifying with public infrastructure maintenance will find such contracts beneficial. The detailed, non-competitive nature of this procurement highlights the potential for businesses that can offer continuity through specialised equipment or services integral to governmental projects. This can pave the way for similar future engagements, given the ever-present need for infrastructure maintenance and specific technical expertise.

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Notice Title

WINTER SERVICE AND FOYLE BRIDGE - DATA AND WEATHER STATION MANAGEMENT

Notice Description

This is a 3-year contract for data and weather station management of existing assets associated with the Department's annual winter service programme and wind speed monitoring of Foyle Bridge.

Procurement Information

The Department's weather stations were procured from and installed by Vaisala Ltd and as such require specific replacement parts for routine servicing and calibration therefore there is no competitive marketplace to run a competition.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05889d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053608-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71351600 - Weather-forecasting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Aug 20256 months ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DFI TRANSPORT AND ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT (TRAM)
Additional Buyers

DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE (TRAM)

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tramprocurement@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 2JA
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VAISALA

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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