---
title: "Dorset Highways Contractor Resource (Top up labour) Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DORSET COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-16"
---

# Dorset Highways Contractor Resource (Top up labour) Framework

Buyer: DORSET COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc

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## Summary

The procurement process stated in this preliminary market engagement notice is organised by Dorset Council, which acts as the buying organisation alongside Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The titled project, "Dorset Highways Contractor Resource (Top up labour) Framework," belongs to the construction and highways industry category, focusing on the provision of traffic management, skilled and semi-skilled highway maintenance operatives, and specialist trades. This initiative targets locations within Dorset, inclusive of the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole areas, categorised under regions UKK25 and UKK24 in the United Kingdom. Currently at the planning stage, interested parties can engage in the market engagement exercise until 30th April 2026, with the framework expected to start on 14th June 2026 and last for four years. The exercise welcomes feedback to refine the procurement strategy, making this an ideal time for businesses to prepare for participation.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for business growth for companies specialising in construction, traffic management, and trades such as masonry, carpentry, welding, and more. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also encouraged to participate, given the framework's suitability for such organisations. With a gross value of £30,240,000, it presents lucrative potential for businesses to secure long-term contracts that contribute substantially to infrastructure development in the region. The framework's division into four lots provides flexibility for businesses of various sizes and specialisations to find the most appropriate segment to bid on. Additionally, this procurement process incorporates a framework agreement, allowing winning bidders to benefit from renewed and extended contract opportunities in the future, enhancing the prospect for sustained business development.

## Notice

Dorset Council is to set up a framework for the provision of labour support including traffic management, skilled and semi-skilled highway maintenance operatives, LGV drivers and specialist trades (bricklayer/ stone mason, carpenter/ shuttering carpenter, welder, blacksmith, steel fixer, kerb layer, slab and block layer). These roles will support the delivery of highway maintenance and construction projects in the Dorset area (including the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area). The framework will be split into 4 lots.

### Planning Information

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to give notice to the market of an upcoming procurement.
Dorset Council is undertaking early market engagement, with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the market, about aspects of the Council's procurement strategy for the provision of labour support including traffic management, skilled and semi-skilled highway maintenance operatives, LGV drivers and specialist trades (bricklayer/ stone mason, carpenter/ shuttering carpenter, welder, blacksmith, steel fixer, kerb layer, slab and block layer). These roles will support the delivery of highway maintenance and construction projects in the Dorset area (including the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area).
Any procurement will be carried out in accordance with relevant Procurement Regulations.
Dorset Council may commence one or more procurements in respect of this notice subject to final scope and structure, but also reserves the right not to commence any procurement in respect of this notice.
Dorset Council shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein.
The procurement has traditionally been split into nine individual Lots but from experience, it is considered that this may be rationalised into 4 Lots (consisting of Traffic management/ Specialist Trades/ skilled and semi-skilled highways operatives/ LGV Drivers).
Any arrangements are proposed to be in place by June 2026; and will last for a proposed initial period of 4 years. 
The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is preliminary in nature and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, will be made and no liability is, or will be, accepted by the Council as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this document. Any liability however arising is expressly disclaimed.
No expense in responding to this market engagement will be reimbursed by the Council.
Any arrangement is proposed to commence on the 14th June 2026; and will last for a proposed initial period of 4 years.
We envisage that the market engagement will feed into the requirements and as such, we reserve the right to alter the above information for the benefit of both Dorset Council and the market.
If organisations wish to participate in this market engagement exercise, please request a copy of the EOI form from Dorset Procurement at dp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. The deadline for requests for the form is 28th April 2026.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034577-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 11 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 13 Jun 2026 - 13 Jun 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £25,200,000 |
| 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 | DORSET COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL |
| Locality | DORCHESTER |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode | DT1 1XJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Local authority | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Electoral ward | Bournemouth Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bournemouth West |
| Delivery location | TLK24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, TLK25 Dorset |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
- 45233100 - Construction work for highways, roads
- 45233120 - Road construction works
- 45233130 - Construction work for highways
- 45233141 - Road-maintenance works
- 45262500 - Masonry and bricklaying work
- 45420000 - Joinery and carpentry installation work
- 63712700 - Traffic control services
- 71550000 - Blacksmith services

## Release History

- 16 Apr 2026 at 10:18 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034577-2026
- 16 Apr 2026 at 09:56 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034560-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034577-2026
  16th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034560-2026
  16th April 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-0683dc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0683dc.json.