---
title: "BenchSmart Phase 2 - Detailed Design. Direct Award"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT"
published: "2026-02-19"
---

# BenchSmart Phase 2 - Detailed Design. Direct Award

Buyer: DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3

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## Summary

This procurement process involves the Department for Transport (DfTc) for the project titled "BenchSmart Phase 2 - Detailed Design". It falls under the technical services industry category, with a specific focus on developing a benchmarking tool based on Network Rail's asset categorisation. The project addresses a global reach, including delivery locations such as the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man. The procurement stage is the award phase, with the contract awarded on 13 February 2026 and stretching from 16 February 2026 to 15 May 2026. The procurement method utilised is a direct, single tender action, with a contract value of £143,736.

This tender presents growth opportunities for large-scale businesses specialising in technical consultancy and project management in the railway sector. As it requires specialist technical advisors and subject matter experts, firms with a robust background in transportation infrastructure and asset benchmarking are best suited to compete for similar future contracts. Although not explicitly designed for SMEs or VCSEs, involvement in such projects can solidify a firm's expertise in sector-wide benchmarking tools and enhance their portfolio in governmental contracts.

## Notice

Following an initial feasibility study to determine how a sector-wide benchmarking tool could be developed, as well as engaging with key ALBs that would need to use such a tool, this contract is for specialist technical advisors to provide project support, including subject matter experts, to develop a detailed design solution for a sector-wide benchmarking tool, known as BenchSmart, based on Network Rail's latest railway asset categorisation and developed specifically for benchmarking purposes.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6d7abe6-0134-4947-a623-758e6ff57977 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Feb 2026 - 15 May 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £143,736 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £143,736 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | Vincent Square |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ARCADIS CONSULTING (UK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71356000 - Technical services

## Release History

- 19 Feb 2026 at 13:05 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6d7abe6-0134-4947-a623-758e6ff57977

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6d7abe6-0134-4947-a623-758e6ff57977
  19th February 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5f9f2e7d-f50e-4853-b0ef-ca70c6252681
  n/a

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e15d1b0-c9f8-4b82-85d2-68ef6abb4fd3.json.