Planning

Road Asset Management (RAM) Structures and Road Restraint Systems Frameworks - *Preliminary Market Engagement*

DFI TRANSPORT AND ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT (TRAM)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

07 Nov 2025 at 09:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

06 Nov 2025 at 15:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) through its Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) division is in the planning stage for procuring two Road Asset Management (RAM) Frameworks, specifically focusing on Structures and Road Restraint Systems. Scheduled to commence in September 2026 and conclude by August 2030, this initiative spans across various regions in Northern Ireland including Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern areas. The procurement process involves a preliminary market engagement (PME) session scheduled for 20 November 2025, inviting interested parties to register by 19 November 2025. These frameworks are aimed at extensive construction and maintenance works, categorised under the industry classifications for construction and engineering works, with an emphasis on structures and restraint systems in the public road network.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses involved in construction and engineering, particularly those experienced in bridge maintenance, structural works, and traffic management on live roads. It is well-suited for SMEs due to the structured lotting system with Area and Project Lots. Each MTC Lot will appoint both a Primary and Reserve Supplier, enabling diverse participation and business growth. The frameworks are structured to cover a range of activities from concrete structural repair to the installation of road restraint systems, providing ample business opportunities for companies with expertise in these sectors. Businesses looking to expand their operations in public infrastructure projects will find this procurement process a viable avenue for growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Road Asset Management (RAM) Structures and Road Restraint Systems Frameworks - *Preliminary Market Engagement*

Notice Description

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is intending to procure two new Road Asset Management (RAM) Frameworks - Structures Framework and Road Restraint Systems Framework. It is intended that the frameworks will include the following key work activities. Structures Framework: * Full or partial demolition of structures. * Scour protection and maintenance works. * Earthworks. * Culvert upgrades/maintenance including lining and invert repair works. * General bridge/structures maintenance. * Working in water. * Brickwork, blockwork and stonework. * Structural concrete construction and/or repairs. * Installation of precast beams or box culverts. * Structural steelwork including repairs. * Inspection assistance. * Works on or in the vicinity of the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR). * TTM on a live trafficked public road network. * Associated Road Restraint Systems (RRS) installation and/or repair. * Associated ancillary works. Road Restraint Systems Framework: * RRS installation and/or repair. * Earthworks. * Brickwork, blockwork and stonework. * Structural concrete construction and/or repairs associated with RRS. * Inspection assistance. * Full or partial demolition of structures associated with RRS. * TTM on a live trafficked public road network. * Associated ancillary works. Each framework will comprise of three geographical Area Lots (as detailed below), and a Project Lot. A Measured Term Contract (MTC) Call-Off will be awarded for each Area Lot. A Primary Supplier and Reserve Supplier will be appointed for each MTC Lot, as a result of the evaluation of the Framework tender submissions. Each MTC will deliver related works commissioned through Works Orders, each with a value of up to PS750k. A Project Lot will be used to deliver individual NEC ECC projects covering all the geographical areas detailed below, each with an estimated value of over PS750k up to PS5m (Exc VAT). Area Lots: Western - Derry and Strabane; Fermanagh & Omagh; Mid-Ulster. Eastern and Southern - Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh; Ards and North Down; Newry Mourne, Down and Armagh; Banbridge and Craigavon. Northern - Antrim and Newtownabbey; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrim.

Planning Information

DfI invites interested parties to express their interest in attending a joint Pre-Market Engagement (PME) event for two forthcoming Road Asset Management (RAM) Framework procurements: T-1155 Structures Framework T-1159 Road Restraint Systems Framework An online information session will be held on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 2:00pm. During this session, DfI will outline the proposed procurement approach, work scope and indicative delivery timelines for each framework. How to Register: To register your interest in attending, please email TRAMprocurement@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk by 5:00pm on Wednesday 19 November 2025, including: The name(s) of attendee(s) Contact email address(es) Following receipt of expressions of interest, DfI will issue further details and instructions on how to join the PME briefing. Please note that the procurement description, estimated contract dates, publication timeline, and contract value are indicative only and should not be considered a final representation of DfI’s proposals or requirements. The PME pertains to a future contract opportunity which will be advertised in its own right in due course. This notice is not a call for competition to procure any works or services. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response, or lack thereof, to this notice. Nor shall a response to this notice guarantee an opportunity to participate in this market engagement exercise or any future procurement process that DfI may conduct. DfI is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to this notice or any party who may participate in the market engagement exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dc12
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071861-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45221000 - Construction work for bridges and tunnels, shafts and subways

45223000 - Structures construction work

45230000 - Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 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
DFI TRANSPORT AND ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT (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
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

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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