---
title: "T0653 TLAB3009 Freight Wider Economic Impacts Study"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-8ff71149-3bdf-424c-bc2c-177f7e9a8794"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-8ff71149-3bdf-424c-bc2c-177f7e9a8794"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8ff71149-3bdf-424c-bc2c-177f7e9a8794.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8ff71149-3bdf-424c-bc2c-177f7e9a8794.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS"
published: "2025-05-14"
---

# T0653 TLAB3009 Freight Wider Economic Impacts Study

Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-8ff71149-3bdf-424c-bc2c-177f7e9a8794

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "T0653 TLAB3009 Freight Wider Economic Impacts Study" was carried out by National Highways, based in Birmingham, England. The contract, which falls under the industry category of Development Consultancy Services, was awarded on the 12th of May 2025 to the supplier Arup, a well-regarded large-scale firm active in the sector. The procurement followed a selective method, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement. This particular project seeks to enhance methodologies for appraising road freight's wider economic impacts, supporting strategic priorities of the Department for Transport. The project completion is mandated by April 30th, 2026, with work taking place across various locations, including the UK and international territories.

For businesses, this tender presents a notable opportunity to engage with the Department for Transport in strengthening transport investment appraisals. Firms well-suited to compete for similar contracts are those possessing expertise in transport infrastructure and development consultancy. Given the project's scope and strategic alignment with significant national transport priorities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), despite not being part of the typical bidders' scale for this tender, could explore partnership opportunities or subcontracting roles, leveraging their agility and innovative capabilities in areas such as dynamic transport models and freight analysis. The potential for refining and implementing cutting-edge methodologies can lead to further growth and establishment in government contracting spheres.

## Notice

Transport infrastructure investments are appraised using the Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) framework, primarily capturing welfare impacts through user benefits derived from transport modelling. While these benefits typically reflect the welfare effects of transport investments, market distortions can result in additional Wider Economic Impacts (WEIs). Currently, TAG assumes a fixed freight demand for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in future years, with cost estimations focused on journey time, fuel, and other charges. Road Freight-related WEIs (FWEI), including Employment, Induced Investment, and Productivity (Agglomeration), are incorporated under TAG but often rely on generalized assumptions, such as a 13.4% uplift in freight benefits to represent induced investment. There is growing interest in exploring areas where TAG could further develop its approach to capturing FWEI going forward, such as: 1) Considering dynamic effects, like the reorganisation of distribution centres to serve broader markets. 2) Examining how freight sectors respond to improvements in reliability and fuel cost savings compared to time savings, which could shift freight patterns. 3) Differentiating between urbanization and localization agglomeration effects to better reflect freight clustering dynamics. This presents an opportunity to refine TAG methodologies and provide a more comprehensive appraisal of road freight-related economic impacts. Through the successful completion of this project, Department for Transport aims to strengthen transport investment business cases while addressing key research questions aligned with the DfT's five strategic priorities. Key research areas within the broader DfT Strategic Priorities that align with this project include:

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb325aa-fdfd-49ef-a315-90bd00cd3d12 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 May 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 28 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 May 2025 |
| Contract period | 11 May 2025 - 30 Apr 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £189,310 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £189,310 |
| 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 | NATIONAL HIGHWAYS |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B1 1RN |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Ladywood |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ARUP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73220000 - Development consultancy services

## Release History

- 14 May 2025 at 09:09 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb325aa-fdfd-49ef-a315-90bd00cd3d12

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb325aa-fdfd-49ef-a315-90bd00cd3d12
  14th May 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d5827f4e-04ac-472d-920f-9531a67d8db6
  n/a

## Provenance

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