---
title: "Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT"
published: "2026-06-03"
---

# Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57

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## Summary

The Department for Transport is currently in the planning stages for the Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour). This procurement process involves a significant investment aimed at enhancing the UK's transport infrastructure with a total value of £350 million (grossing £420 million). The industry category focuses on providing specialist technical and commercial advisory services across all transport sectors, not just rail, indicating a broad scope. The location for the procurement is set within the UK, with the Department based at Great Minster House, London. The planning stage is marked by a preliminary market engagement phase, requesting feedback until the deadline of 28 January 2026. The contract is anticipated to start on 31 July 2027 and end on 30 July 2030, with potential extensions possible up to 2031.

This procurement framework represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses specialising in consultancy services across various domains, including civil engineering, environmental impact assessments, project management, and economic impact assessments. Further, it encourages SME participation, innovation, and the provision of cost-effective advisory solutions. Companies with expertise in infrastructure consultancy, environmental standards for construction, financial management, and project design have the potential to benefit greatly. The competitive flexible procedure in place allows for mini-competitions and direct awards, facilitating smaller enterprises in gaining a foothold in government contracts which can significantly drive business growth and development.

## Notice

In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK's transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (DfT) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advisory services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework--both managed by the Department's Group Commercial Directorate (GCD). The Department for Transport intends to publish the STARFour Framework, a fourth generation, closed, multi-lot framework agreement to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring July 2027). However, this will be subject to approvals and market engagement feedback. STARFour will provide continued access to specialist technical and commercial advisory services across all transport sectors, supporting the Department, its ALBs, and other qualifying bodies. Building on the success of STARThree, the new framework will encourage SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes including mini-competitions and direct awards. The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges grow--across net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring--STARFour will ensure DfT, ALBs and qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail.

### Planning Information

The Department for Transport is launching preliminary market engagement for the STARFour Framework. Alongside this notice, we have shared the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List for your review.
A short video briefing has also been prepared, providing background on the STARFour Framework and outlining its scope and objectives. This can be accessed using this link: https://tinyurl.com/STARFourFramework
We are keen to gather views on the proposed scope and overall structure of STARFour and welcome your feedback to help shape our approach. Please share your views by completing the survey using the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOUR0000MarketSoundingQuestionnaire/
We kindly ask that responses are submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
In order to access the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List, please use the Jaggaer online portal using the following link:
https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/77730479019BA2F83148
If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/
Thank you for your engagement. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052185-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 6 Jul 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £350,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 71241000 - Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
- 71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
- 71244000 - Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs
- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
- 71311230 - Railway engineering services
- 71311300 - Infrastructure works consultancy services
- 71313410 - Risk or hazard assessment for construction
- 71313420 - Environmental standards for construction
- 71313430 - Environmental indicators analysis for construction
- 71313440 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction
- 71313450 - Environmental monitoring for construction
- 72240000 - Systems analysis and programming services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 73220000 - Development consultancy services
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
- 79311100 - Survey design services
- 79311300 - Survey analysis services
- 79311410 - Economic impact assessment
- 79312000 - Market-testing services
- 79313000 - Performance review services
- 79314000 - Feasibility study
- 79315000 - Social research services
- 79411100 - Business development consultancy services
- 79412000 - Financial management consultancy services
- 79413000 - Marketing management consultancy services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
- 79418000 - Procurement consultancy services
- 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services
- 79421100 - Project-supervision services other than for construction work
- 79421200 - Project-design services other than for construction work

## Release History

- 3 Jun 2026 at 09:15 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052185-2026
- 30 Apr 2026 at 15:53 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040153-2026
- 9 Jan 2026 at 14:32 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001922-2026
- 24 Dec 2025 at 13:38 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086155-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052185-2026
  3rd June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040153-2026
  30th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001922-2026
  9th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086155-2025
  24th December 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/
- https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/77730479019BA2F83148
- https://tinyurl.com/STARFourFramework
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOUR0000MarketSoundingQuestionnaire/

## 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-h6vhtk-05fd57. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57.json.