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ITEP1168 - Cyber R&D Project

National Highways Limited

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

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

The procurement process for the "ITEP1168 - Cyber R&D Project" was facilitated by National Highways Limited, a prominent public authority within the central government, located at Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, United Kingdom. This project falls under the services industry category, specifically focusing on Research and Development on security and defence materials. The purpose is to conduct independent, academic-led cyber security research and development to mitigate emerging cyber risks on the Strategic Road Network. The contract was directly awarded to Cardiff University, a large-scale supplier, under the Procurement Act 2023, due to its unique research-led nature and the specialized capability required. The project entails a contract value of £288,000 gross, starting on 23 July 2026, with a projected end date of 31 March 2027, although it can be extended until 31 March 2028 if necessary.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in research and development services, particularly those with expertise in cyber security and strategic technology implementations. The direct award highlights a demand for specialized academic knowledge, making it suitable for institutions with a robust research background focused on security solutions and technology development. Engaging in such high-profile government projects not only enhances a business’s portfolio but also reinforces its capabilities in delivering innovative solutions in the public sector. Firms interested in expanding their scope within governmental projects and those keen to offer bespoke, research-driven services might find this contract to be particularly advantageous.

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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/065600-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
23 Jul 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Highways Limited
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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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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