Planning

Road Asset Management (RAM) - Improvement Projects Framework

DFI TRANSPORT AND ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT (TRAM)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Mar 2026 at 10:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

03 Mar 2026 at 14:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Mar 2026 at 14:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

On 4th March 2026, DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) in Belfast updated the planning stage for its Road Asset Management (RAM) - Improvement Projects Framework. Set to enhance road maintenance across Northern Ireland, the framework covers various construction activities, including earthworks, pavement construction, and traffic signal upgrades. The procurement process anticipates publishing the tender competition via eTendersNI by May 2026, with contracts commencing on 1st October 2026. Lasting until September 2030, the framework is split into area-based lots with values ranging from £50,000 to £750,000 and project lots up to £5 million. As a buyer, TRAM emphasises stakeholder engagement and market consultation to ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery under Northern Irish devolved regulations.

This procurement presents significant growth opportunities for businesses within the construction and engineering sector. Specifically, firms specialising in roadworks, utilities, and landscaping are well-positioned to participate due to the diverse and comprehensive nature of the work involved. The tender supports SMEs, ensuring smaller enterprises are encouraged to compete for multiple lots spanning regions such as Causeway Coast and Glens, Belfast, and Derry and Strabane. With substantial project values and a lengthy contract period, businesses can secure stable, long-term opportunities contributing to regional infrastructure upgrades and expansion.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Road Asset Management (RAM) - Improvement Projects Framework

Notice Description

The Road Asset Management (RAM) Improvement Projects Framework may include but not be limited to the following work activities: Typical work activities to be delivered under the framework include: A. Earthworks B. Pavement construction and surfacing C. Cycleway construction D. Footway construction and refurbishment E. Working with Services / Utilities F. Drainage and service duct Installation G. Traffic signal junction upgrade H. Fencing and Wall construction I. Delivery of Temporary Traffic Management as part of associated civil works on a live trafficked Public Road network J. Road Restraint Systems K. Landscaping L. Other associated ancillary works. The Framework will comprise of eight area Lots (Works Orders valued PS50k to PS750k) and a Project Lot (Projects valued PS750k to PS5m) covering the following Contract Areas: IPF N1 - Causeway Coast and Glens, IPF N2 - Mid and East Antrim / Antrim and Newtownabbey, IPF S1 - Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, IPF S2 - Newry, Mourne and Down / North Down and Ards, IPF E1 - Belfast / Lisburn and Castlereagh, IPF W1 - Mid Ulster, IPF W2 - Derry and Strabane, IPF W3 - Fermanagh and Omagh.

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 Improvement Projects, 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-andmaintenance-procurement-enhancement-programme It is currently anticipated that the Improvements Projects Framework tender competition will be published via eTendersNI in May 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065fb5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019330-2026
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

45112000 - Excavating and earthmoving work

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

45231100 - General construction work for pipelines

45233100 - Construction work for highways, roads

45233200 - Various surface works

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 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
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
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

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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