---
title: "UK5 - Transparency Notice"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED"
published: "2026-06-15"
---

# UK5 - Transparency Notice

Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1

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## Summary

The public procurement process conducted by National Highways Limited focuses on a contract titled "UK5 - Transparency Notice" related to independent cyber security research and development. The buyer is a central government public authority based in Birmingham, UK. The tender was awarded through a direct award method under the Procurement Act 2023. The key objective is to support the development of mitigation strategies across Strategic Road Network technologies through academic-led research. The award was announced on 15th June 2026, with a contract start date of 1st July 2026, running until 31st March 2027, with a potential extension to 2028. Cardiff University, located in Cardiff, has been chosen as the supplier, focusing on research and development services, particularly in security and defence materials.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialising in academic research, cyber security, and technological innovation. With its focus on independent research and lack of commercial market alignment, the tender is well-suited for large academic institutions or enterprises with significant expertise in cyber security research and development. The contract encourages exploration of new capabilities and offers room for an extension, allowing businesses to participate in long-term projects. Moreover, the collaboration with public authorities like National Highways provides a platform for businesses to showcase their expert capabilities and develop relationships with key government stakeholders, fostering future growth and recognition in the sector.

## Notice

National Highways intends to directly award a contract for the delivery of independent cyber security research and development. The requirement is for academic-led, evidence-based analysis to identify and assess emerging cyber risks across Strategic Road Network technologies, supporting development of mitigation strategies and safe adoption of new technologies. The contract will be awarded under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5 (Research and Development), on the basis that the requirement constitutes specialist, research-led activity that cannot be met through the commercial market and requires independent academic capability.

### Procurement Information

This route is compliant because: * The requirement constitutes a research-driven R&D activity, not a standard commercial service. * The deliverable is a novel and exploratory research output, forming an evidence base rather than a finished product * Market engagement and existing evidence demonstrate: * Limited supplier capability in vendor-neutral research delivery * Commercial suppliers are not aligned to independent R&D outcomes * Academic partners provide: * Specialist expertise * Continuity with existing NH research activity * Independence and credibility The use of Schedule 5, Paragraph 2 is justified as the contract concerns: * Research, experimentation, and development * Testing viability of new capability areas (as explicitly permitted under PA2023 provisions)

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056104-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £240,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

## Release History

- 15 Jun 2026 at 10:36 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056104-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056104-2026
  15th June 2026 - Transparency 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-06b4d1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b4d1.json.