Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - DfT Supplier Event - Research Procurements

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 Oct 2025 at 14:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 Oct 2025 at 14:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport is inviting suppliers to participate in a preliminary market engagement event focusing on upcoming research and evaluation procurements. This engagement, scheduled as a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams on 5 November 2025 from 10:30 to 12:00 GMT, aims to inform potential suppliers about the Department's upcoming programmes and procurement strategies in research services for the transport sector. The event, part of the planning stage, is designed to raise awareness of impending opportunities and is scheduled ahead of the formal procurement processes anticipated to begin in December 2025. This process falls under the public authority - central government category and encompasses services within the UK. Suppliers must register by 6 November 2025 to participate.

This engagement provides a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in research and development consultancy, research consultancy services, and general research services to align with the Department's future needs. The potential contracts, including UK-wide evaluations and digital innovation assessments, are designed to last between two to four years, with budgets ranging from £1.5m to £3m. This presents an excellent growth avenue for businesses capable of meeting high-level service requirements through routes such as the CCS Research and Insights framework, where only registered suppliers are eligible. Small to medium-sized enterprises with robust research and consultancy capabilities are particularly well-suited to compete for these opportunities, especially those adept at adapting to governmental procedures and demonstrating innovative solutions in the transport industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - DfT Supplier Event - Research Procurements

Notice Description

Department for Transport Preliminary Market Engagement. The Department for Transport (DfT) would like to invite suppliers to a virtual engagement event on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, from 10:30 to 12:00 GMT. The purpose of this event is to: * Inform the market about DfT's upcoming research and evaluation activities. * Raise awareness of our planned programmes of work. * Share our approach to the procurement of research and evaluation services to the broader market The session will include: * A presentation of the high-level themes of our programmes of work. * How research and evaluation activities support these programmes. * An overview of our procurement approach and potential routes to market. Programmes of work currently under consideration include: * Evaluation Support call-off contract = PS2.5m, 3- year contract * Primary call-off contract - PS2.5m, 4-year contract * Evidence review & Secondary Data Analysis contract = PS1.5m 3-to-4-year contract * Human Factors & Ergonomics call-off = PS3m, 3-year contract * Integrated Transport Digital Twins evaluation = PS3m 4-year contract The potential routes to markets include: * CCS Research and Insights (RM6126), whereby only registered suppliers are eligible. * Open competitive procurement (above threshold for services) Event Format: Virtual (online via MS Teams) Registration Process: * Suppliers interested in attending this virtual event should register via Microsoft Virtual Events (Teams) by coping and pasting the below link in their browser: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/709bf152-ee21-4e7f-9a3a-1e09de5fad12@28b782fb-41e1-48ea-bfc3-ad7558ce7136 Additional Information: * Attendance at this event does not form part of any formal procurement process and will not confer any advantage in any subsequent tender. * Programmes of work - budgets and durations are tentative and subject to change.

Planning Information

Registration: Suppliers interested in attending should register via Microsoft Virtual Events (Teams) by coping and pasting the below link in their browser: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/709bf152-ee21-4e7f-9a3a-1e09de5fad12@28b782fb-41e1-48ea-bfc3-ad7558ce7136 Additional Information: • Attendance at this event does not form part of any formal procurement process and will not confer any advantage in any subsequent tender.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d0de
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067189-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Dec 2025 - 21 Apr 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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