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ITEP1168 - Cyber R&D Project

National Highways

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

16 Sep 2026 at 13:30

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

13 Jul 2026 at 13:22

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

30 Jun 2026 at 14:01

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

30 Jun 2026 at 13:57

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

15 Jun 2026 at 11:36

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited commissioned independent cyber security research and development for technologies used across the Strategic Road Network. The work is academic-led and evidence-based, intended to identify and assess emerging cyber risks and support the development of mitigation strategies for the safe adoption of new technologies. It covers specialist research, experimentation, testing of new capability areas and production of an evidence base, rather than a standard commercial product or service. The procurement is for research services, including security and defence research (CPV 73400000 and 73110000). The work is for National Highways and relates to the Strategic Road Network; the awarded supplier is Cardiff University.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded by direct award under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, paragraph 2, for research and development that National Highways judged unsuitable for the commercial market. The award date was 24 June 2026. Cardiff University received an award valued at £240,000 excluding VAT (£288,000 including VAT), with the initial contract period from 23 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 and a possible extension to 31 March 2028. A second active award to Cardiff University is also recorded for research services, without a stated value or award date. The related contract was signed on 10 September 2026 and runs from that date to 31 March 2027, with a possible extension to 31 March 2028. Additional research phases, analysis, testing, validation, dissemination and adoption support may be commissioned at National Highways’ discretion.

This requirement indicates demand for independent, vendor-neutral cyber security research focused on transport infrastructure and emerging technology risks. Suppliers well placed for a future requirement would need academic or equivalent research capability, recognised expertise in cyber security and the ability to investigate novel or exploratory risks across Strategic Road Network technologies. Credibility would depend on producing evidence-based analysis, testing or validating new capabilities, and translating findings into practical mitigation strategies and safe technology adoption. Relevant organisations would also need to manage defined research work packages, deliver agreed outputs, support stakeholder engagement and dissemination, and provide progress reporting and milestone-based delivery. Cardiff University’s award shows that National Highways values specialist expertise, independence, continuity with existing research activity and research outcomes rather than a finished commercial product.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

ITEP1168 - Cyber R&D Project

Notice Description

National Highways intends to directly award a contract for the delivery of independent cyber security research and development. The requirement is for academic-led, evidence-based analysis to identify and assess emerging cyber risks across Strategic Road Network technologies, supporting development of mitigation strategies and safe adoption of new technologies. The contract will be awarded under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5 (Research and Development), on the basis that the requirement constitutes specialist, research-led activity that cannot be met through the commercial market and requires independent academic capability.

Procurement Information

This route is compliant because: * The requirement constitutes a research-driven R&D activity, not a standard commercial service. * The deliverable is a novel and exploratory research output, forming an evidence base rather than a finished product * Market engagement and existing evidence demonstrate: * Limited supplier capability in vendor-neutral research delivery * Commercial suppliers are not aligned to independent R&D outcomes * Academic partners provide: * Specialist expertise * Continuity with existing NH research activity * Independence and credibility The use of Schedule 5, Paragraph 2 is justified as the contract concerns: * Research, experimentation, and development * Testing viability of new capability areas (as explicitly permitted under PA2023 provisions)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087765-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Jun 20264 months ago
Contract Period
10 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Highways
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cardiff University

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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