Planning

NEPO235 Vehicle Restraint Systems

THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Dec 2025 at 13:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process is being orchestrated by The Association of North East Councils Limited, acting as the buyer, for a project titled "NEPO235 Vehicle Restraint Systems." It falls under the industry category of road furniture and installation services, with a key focus on vehicle restraint systems. The procurement process is currently at the planning stage, with key preliminary market engagement activities scheduled between 12 January and 30 January 2026. The contract will cover the supply, installation, maintenance, and related services for vehicle restraint systems across the UK, beginning from August 2026 and ending in July 2030. Interested parties are encouraged to express their interest and participate in the engagement sessions via Microsoft Teams. A preliminary market engagement questionnaire will be available from 5 January 2026, with submissions due by 30 January 2026. The value of the procurement is estimated at £48 million, and it includes a framework agreement supporting both works and services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in the supply and installation of road safety equipment. Companies specializing in vehicle restraint systems, including those offering innovative solutions such as dynamic barrier systems or crash cushions, would be well-suited to compete. Given the framework agreement's inclusivity criteria, SMEs are also encouraged to participate. The procurement offers extensive opportunities for growth over a four-year contract period, providing a stable revenue stream while allowing businesses to establish long-term relationships with contracting authorities UK-wide. With a keen interest in receiving detailed input through the preliminary market engagement, there is an emphasis on innovation, pricing, and service specifications, opening avenues for businesses to influence contract requirements and positioning themselves as key players in the sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NEPO235 Vehicle Restraint Systems

Notice Description

NEPO235 Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) aims to provide a route to market for UK based Contracting Authorities for the supply, installation, removal, repair, testing and maintenance of VRS. The solution will allow for temporary and permanent VRS and will cover goods, services and works related to vehicle restraint systems within its lot structure including: Removal and disposal of existing systems, both permanent and temporary Supply and installation of Vehicle Restraint Systems, including: N1, N2, high containment systems and terminals for the full range of working widths Flex beam, P2/P4 end terminals for new works Variety of materials, including steel, concrete, and wire rope Crash cushions Dynamic barrier systems Hostile vehicle restraints Minor works, including repairs and the ability to provide a generic 'open box beam' for small improvements Foundation prices for driven posts, concreted posts and socketed systems Compliant CD377 & CD127 VRS design solutions Testing and routine inspection of existing systems Emergency response and reactive maintenance alongside planned works Ability to provide cost breakdowns for third-party accident damage claims Supply only of Flexbeam, P2, P4 and supply legacy OBB, TCB systems to enable Contracting Authorities to use their own trained operatives to carry out works

Planning Information

NEPO will host Microsoft Teams meetings between 12 January and 30 January with interested suppliers where a presentation will be delivered by NEPO and there will be an opportunity to ask questions in the session. Time slots will be provided to those whom express an interest in attending a session by contacting construction@nepo.org with three preferred dates & times. These will be confirmed on or after 2 January 2026. Attendance at the Microsoft Teams meeting is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Attendance also does not constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above information may be subject to change and is indicative only. NEPO also intend to publish a preliminary market engagement questionnaire via Open e-Tendering system (www.open-uk.org). (https://www.open uk.org). The questionnaire responses will help NEPO design the framework by providing the level of market interest and provide insight from suppliers on the shaping of the future provision including pricing, innovation, procurement process, funding and specification. The questionnaire will be made accessible via the Open e-Tendering system on 5 January 2026 with a submission deadline of 12:00 noon on 30th January. Suppliers are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible to ensure the market engagement is meaningful and results in a solution that meets stakeholder needs. Suppliers wishing to access and complete the questionnaire must first register on the e-Tendering system using the following link https://www.open uk.org (https://www.open-uk.org) For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training (https://www.open-hub.org/training) to access the available Training Guides. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via open.support@nepo.org. PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30. Over the Christmas period we will be operating a skeleton support for Open via open.support@nepo.org on Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December. Urgent system issue requests or supplier support for tender returns within this period will be picked up. Any general, non-urgent queries will be picked up when the office re-opens on 2 January 2026.  

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fa5e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084905-2025
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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

34928000 - Road furniture

45233280 - Erection of road-barriers

45233292 - Installation of safety equipment

50230000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to roads and other equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 Feb 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 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
THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
construction@nepo.org
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GATESHEAD
Postcode
NE8 3DF
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Gateshead
Electoral Ward
Bridges
Westminster Constituency
Gateshead Central and Whickham

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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