This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

06 Jul 2026 at 15:56

TenderUpdate

18 Nov 2025 at 16:30

TenderUpdate

18 Nov 2025 at 16:13

Tender

06 Nov 2025 at 11:00

Planning

07 Oct 2025 at 14:19

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) focuses on establishing a Surface Dressing Framework encompassing various engineering and construction works, primarily surface work for roads. This procurement involves organising work activities related to surface dressing, associated road markings, and temporary traffic management across seven geographical lots in Northern Ireland, covering areas such as Belfast, Mid Ulster, and the Causeway Coast, among others. The process went through several stages, starting with planning and engaging stakeholders in 2023, and it has reached the award stage as of July 2026. The framework has a cumulative value of £80 million over four years, with potential extensions allowing it to reach £100 million. Key dates include the closure of the tender submission on 13 January 2026 and the formal commencement of the contract period on 26 August 2026.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for companies in the construction and engineering sectors that specialise in road maintenance and surface dressing. Its open procurement method attracts multiple suppliers, allowing both large firms and SMEs to compete for the works distributed across the seven lots. Given the scale and value of the framework, businesses that can provide high-quality interventions, adhere to environmental regulations, and offer competitive pricing will be well-positioned to benefit from this long-term contract. The division of work into lots also allows smaller enterprises with regional expertise to engage with specific areas, provided they can meet the technical and economic criteria outlined during the tender stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Surface Dressing Framework

Notice Description

This tender notice is for the award of a Framework (a public contract) following a competitive tendering procedure by means of an open procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. The Road Asset Management (RAM) Surface Dressing Framework will include the following work activities: - Application of surface dressing. - Associated road markings. - Delivery of temporary traffic management as part of associated civils works on live trafficked public roads. - Other associated ancillary works. The Framework comprises seven Lots. This notice sets out the eligible suppliers being appointed to the Framework. A Surface Dressing Measured Term Contract (MTC) will be awarded from each Lot to deliver surface dressing schemes each valued up to PS750,000 (excluding VAT). Each Lot corresponds to a specific geographical area: Lot 1 - SDF S1 - Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon; Lot 2 - SDF S2 - Newry, Mourne & Down / Ards & North Down; Lot 2 - SDF E1 - Belfast / Lisburn & Castlereagh; Lot 4 - SDF N1 - Causeway Coast & Glens; Lot 5 - SDF N2 - Mid & East Antrim / Antrim & Newtownabbey; Lot 6 - SDF W1 - Mid Ulster; Lot 7 - SDF W2 - Derry & Strabane / Fermanagh & Omagh The overall cumulative value of the Framework is PS80m (ex VAT) over the four-year Framework Term. If the Contracting Authority is unable, for any reason, to award a new Surface Dressing Framework or to put in place an alternative regime to replace this Framework on its termination or expiry, any MTC Call-Off Contract established under this Framework may be extended for a further period or periods up to a maximum of 12 additional months. This may increase the overall cumulative value of this Framework to PS100m (ex VAT). Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

Lot Information

SDF S2 (Newry, Mourne & Down / North Down & Ards)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF W2 (Derry & Strabane / Fermanagh & Omagh)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF S1 (Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF W1 (Mid Ulster N & S)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF N1 (Causeway Coast & Glens E & W)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF N2 (Mid & East Antrim / Antrim & Newtownabbey)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

SDF E1 (Belfast N / Belfast S / Lisburn & Castlereagh)

Options: Framework Lot values may be shared with other Lots.

Planning Information

As part of the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) Procurement Enhancement Programme (PEP), a comprehensive procurement strategy was developed to support the efficient and cost-effective delivery of road asset maintenance across Northern Ireland. This strategy encompasses a range of road maintenance and improvement works, including Surface Dressing, with individual project values up to £5 million. To ensure the strategy was informed by industry insight and stakeholder needs, DfI undertook a structured Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) process between June 2022 and January 2023. This engagement involved consultation with internal stakeholders and the wider market to align procurement approaches with current capabilities and expectations. The feedback gathered during this PME directly shaped the final Procurement Strategy, which was published on 31 March 2023. Responses to stakeholder input are detailed in Appendix A of the strategy document. Further details on the Procurement Strategy, the PME process and outcome, are available in the published documentation which can be found here: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/department-infrastructure-roads-works-and-maintenance-procurement-enhancement-programme Although the Framework is expected to be awarded in March 2026, works under the MTC call-off contracts are not anticipated to commence until the 2027 Surface Dressing season, expected to start in May 2027. It is currently anticipated that the Surface Dressing Framework tender competition will be published via eTendersNI in October 2025.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a99b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063302-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45233200 - Various surface works

45233220 - Surface work for roads

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£85,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
26 Aug 2026 - 25 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2029-11-01

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 2JA
Postcode Area
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
TLN0 Northern Ireland

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
5
Supplier Names

FP MCCANN LIMITED

I.C.B. EMULSIONS LIMITED

JOHN MCQUILLAN (CONTRACTS) LIMITED

KIELY BROS. LIMITED

Patrick Keenan Quarries

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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