---
title: "Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) - Specialist Technical and Professional Services Framework (STaPS)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED"
published: "2026-05-22"
---

# Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) - Specialist Technical and Professional Services Framework (STaPS)

Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f

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## Summary

The procurement process for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) - Specialist Technical and Professional Services Framework (STaPS) is being spearheaded by National Highways Limited, a central government public authority based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This planned procurement aims to establish a comprehensive framework to deliver technical consultancy, engineering advice, and various professional services related to roads and infrastructure associated with the LTC project. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a pre-tender market engagement scheduled for 10 June 2026. Following this, an invitation to tender is expected in July 2026. A substantive offer period will commence shortly after, with a projected contract award by December 2026 and an operational start date of 1 January 2027. The total contract value is anticipated to be £20 million, delivered through a competitive flexible procedure under a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) financing model.

This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in engineering consultancy, particularly those with expertise in highways and infrastructure. Companies with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, health and safety, and innovative engineering solutions will find this tender particularly relevant. The framework supports SMEs and offers a structured environment for delivering long-term infrastructure solutions, providing businesses with a platform to grow through substantial government-backed projects. Engaging in this process enables firms to contribute to critical national infrastructure while securing lasting contractual partnerships with National Highways Limited.

## Notice

This procurement is being conducted by National Highways Ltd. as current promoter of A122 Lower Thames Crossing. However, in the 2025 autumn budget statement the Government announced that it has committed to providing public funding to complete the publicly-funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of government support to enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the Lower Thames Crossing. The government's preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model which will assume some or all of the functions, rights and liabilities of National Highways Ltd for the construction and long-term operation of the A122 Lower Thames Crossing and any other associated assets within such a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model (or other financing option used). National Highways is looking to establish a framework for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) project, to provide technical consultancy, engineering advice, research and innovation for roads, structures (including tunnel), highway infrastructure, operations, environmental sustainability and health & safety. Also the evaluation and review of, projects, policies and standards, including post implementation. The services required have been listed under the following headings: a) Engineering and Standards b) Operations Maintenance c) Environmental Sustainability d) Customer Behaviour, Health & Safety and Communications e) Planning Policy, Organisational Support & Governance.

### Planning Information

Purpose of Engagement: An initial pre-tender briefing session to give an introduction and
overview to National Highways and the Lower Thames Crossing Project, and an
opportunity for potential bidders to provide feedback on the draft scope of works, tender
submission requirements, framework, indicative timescales and answer any questions.
Proposed Activities: Supplier Meeting
Date for Engagement: 10:00 AM on 10 June 2026
Location: Microsoft Teams Meeting
Responding to this Notice
Respond with your name, title and contact email addresses for up to
two attendees per supplier to ancillaryprocurement@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk
Response Deadline: By 5 PM on Friday 05 June 2026
Next Steps:
Market Engagement Pre-Tender Briefing – 10 June 2026
Invitation to Tender – July 2026
Tender Period (30 Days) – July / August 2026
Contract Award –December 2026
Contract Start - 01 January 2027

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047777-2026 |
| Notice type | UK1 - Pipeline 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 | 22 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 6 Jul 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £16,666,666 |
| 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 | NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B4 6GA |
| 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71311210 - Highways consultancy services

## Release History

- 22 May 2026 at 11:16 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047777-2026
- 18 May 2026 at 09:44 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045253-2026
- 15 May 2026 at 15:43 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045078-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047777-2026
  22nd May 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045253-2026
  18th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045078-2026
  15th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://nationalhighways.co.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-069a5f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069a5f.json.