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Integral Bridge Research

National Highways

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 12:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited is exploring research laboratory services to develop a controlled, scaled physical model of the integral bridge at the Wisley Interchange, M25 Junction 10. The work would extend the existing live operational trial, which uses 116 sensors to monitor the newly constructed bridge. The model would replicate structural–soil interaction under controlled conditions and complement full-scale monitoring of settlement, stress and strain. The combined laboratory testing, advanced modelling and live field data are intended to support technical decision-making, possible updates to PD 6694-1, design standards and asset management. Delivery is associated with the United Kingdom, with the research focused on England’s strategic road network and the Wisley Interchange bridge trial.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is being used for preliminary market engagement; it is not an invitation to tender or a commitment to award a contract. National Highways expects to publish a subsequent notice by 5 October 2026. Organisations are invited to provide engagement feedback by 31 August 2026. The anticipated contract period is 4 January 2027 to 31 March 2029. The estimated value is £300,000 excluding VAT, or £360,000 including VAT. The planned procurement is a single lot, above the applicable threshold, and is expected to be for services. Engagement is intended to inform technical decisions, standards development and potential future procurement strategies.

The work is likely to suit SMEs, VCSEs, research laboratories, universities, engineering consultancies and infrastructure specialists able to combine experimental testing with civil or geotechnical engineering. National Highways is seeking evidence of designing, constructing or testing scaled physical models for civil or geotechnical infrastructure; instrumentation, sensing and monitoring; integration of laboratory and field data; and advanced modelling, analytics or digital frameworks for interpreting structural and geotechnical behaviour. Relevant experience in structural–soil interaction, physical modelling or infrastructure monitoring will be valuable. The buyer also wants views on using laboratory testing alongside live asset trials, plus examples supporting design guidance, standards development or asset management decisions. Interested organisations should prepare relevant case studies and technical capability information for future procurement activity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Integral Bridge Research

Notice Description

National Highways is a government-owned company and the appointed strategic highways authority and licence holder responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England's SRN; 4,300 miles of motorways and major A roads at the core of the national transport network. National Highways is exploring options for the development of a controlled testing environment capable of replicating the behaviour of the Wisley Interchange integral bridge; pioneering remote control condition monitoring with 116 sensors recording data on a brand new integral bridge. National Highways is looking at extending the current live operational trial at the M25 Junction 10 Wisley Interchange integral bridge through the design and construction of a scaled physical model. This activity will enable controlled investigation of structural-soil interaction (SSI) behaviour, complementing the existing full-scale monitoring programme. The Wisley Interchange Bridge Trial is pioneering the use of remote condition monitoring on a newly constructed integral bridge, with 116 sensors currently deployed and recording live performance data. While the field trial provides invaluable real-world insight, the addition of a laboratory-based physical model will allow deeper understanding of settlement, stress, and strain behaviour under controlled conditions. The combined use of physical laboratory testing, advanced modelling, and live field data will provide early evidence on the potential to inform future updates to PD 6694-1. In the longer term, this approach has the potential to reduce material use, cut construction costs, and improve confidence in the design and delivery of integral bridge structures. This notice is issued as part of a Preliminary Market Engagement under the Procurement Act 2023. Participation does not constitute a commitment to procure or award any contract, nor does it provide any guarantee of involvement in future commercial opportunities. Information gathered will be used to support technical decision-making, standards development, and potential future procurement strategies.

Planning Information

Organisations with relevant capability and experience are invited to contribute information to support this market engagement. Interested parties are invited to demonstrate experience in structural soil interaction, physical modelling, instrumentation, or infrastructure monitoring. National Highways is interested to here previous experience in: • The design, construction, or testing of scaled physical models for civil or geotechnical infrastructure. • Capability in instrumentation, sensing, and monitoring, including the integration of laboratory and field data. • Experience applying advanced modelling, analytics, or digital frameworks to interpret structural and geotechnical behaviour. • Views on how laboratory-based testing can complement or accelerate live asset trials and inform design standards. • Any relevant examples of work supporting design guidance, standards development, or asset management decision making. Organisations are invited to provide feedback via the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/VqHN9ekXLD

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc43
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074140-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Oct 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 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
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

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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