Planning

Underground Assets Data Transformation & Commercialisation

THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Mar 2026 at 15:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority is undertaking a procurement planning stage for the "Underground Assets Data Transformation & Commercialisation" project, aimed at enhancing underground digital infrastructure assets in Bristol and surrounding localities. This initiative falls under the services industry category and involves network and communications infrastructure. Potential suppliers are invited to partake in a pre-market engagement survey by 3rd April 2026, which will inform the open tender expected to launch in early April 2026. This procurement project is planned as a single-supplier contract with phased delivery across three local authorities, and a total value of £210,000. The procurement method is structured to ensure high involvement from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in data transformation, network infrastructure, and computer network services. Companies able to deliver modular work packages optimising digital infrastructure management can leverage this project for growth by enhancing their portfolio and gaining access to sub-central government contracts. The intended scope suggests that organisations with expertise in analysing and commercialising data pertaining to underground assets are well-suited to compete. The involvement in pre-market engagement through the survey can refine the proposal, potentially aligning with the specific needs of the West of England Combined Authority, thereby increasing the chances of successful collaboration in future tender stages.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Underground Assets Data Transformation & Commercialisation

Notice Description

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is seeking market insight to help shape a future procurement for the delivery of data transformation, analysis, commercialisation, and governance support relating to underground digital infrastructure assts (primarily ducts, chambers, and fibre routes) owned or managed by local authorities. We would to invite potential suppliers to participate in completing the following survey which is being issued solely as part of our procurement pre-market engagement process and responses will not be evaluated or scored. Feedback will be used to refine the scope for an open tender, of which a single-supplier contract is expected, with delivery structured into modular work packages across three local authorities.

Planning Information

The Combined Authority would like to gather feedback from industry suppliers to inform and confirm areas on the Invitation to Tender. The survey is issued solely as part of our procurement pre-market engagement process and responses will not be evaluated or scored. The feedback will be used to refine the scope for an open tender, of which a single-supplier contract is expected, with delivery structured into modular work packages across three local authorities. The tender is planned to be launched early April 2026. Please find the link to the survey below. This survey will be open until 3rd April 2026. https://forms.office.com/e/QW9K56kwAH

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067408
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027418-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

32400000 - Networks

32412000 - Communications network

32424000 - Network infrastructure

32571000 - Communications infrastructure

72700000 - Computer network services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£175,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Apr 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 1-2 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 WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AL
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

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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