--- title: "Validating and supplying precast VRS foundations that meet VRS and drainage standards." ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED" published: "2026-08-05" --- # Validating and supplying precast VRS foundations that meet VRS and drainage standards. Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66.json) ## Summary National Highways Limited is undertaking a procurement process focused on the design and validation of precast foundations for Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS), aligning with drainage standards. The project aims to address the design clash issues between VRS and drainage systems, improving maintenance efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The opportunity is situated in the United Kingdom, covering regions including UKC, UKD, UKF, and others. Currently in the planning stage, this procurement is set under the initiation type of a 'tender,' with a significant milestone being a market engagement exercise due by 31st August 2026. Communication regarding the future notice is anticipated by 5th October 2026. The contract, valued at £150,000, is planned to commence on 1st December 2026, running until 31st March 2027. This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in design and execution of research and development, particularly those capable of innovating in precast concrete solutions for infrastructure projects. It is particularly well-suited for SMEs with expertise in producing elements compliant with BS EN 1317 standards and those capable of modelling drainage impact. With an opportunity to contribute to a pivotal sector in public infrastructure, businesses engaging in this tender can enhance their portfolio by delivering efficient, sustainable solutions for National Highways, thus potentially accessing further government contract opportunities. ## Notice National Highways is a government owned organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England. National Highways is looking to secure the provision of a single supplier to develop a solution to Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) / drainage design clash by validating precast foundations that improve maintenance efficiency, safety and reduce carbon. The design clash between the VRS and drainage systems relates to the restriction of placing VRS foundations within fin / filter drains, which would restrict the capacity of the drains. The solution proposed is for a precast concrete foundation to support the VRS across the filter drain, which would minimise the works required to conduct the maintenance activities. The additional benefit would be that the new foundations should be able to use the new VRS systems, with greater spacing between posts. This solution should lead to less materials required in the construction of new sections of VRS, and less wastage of materials during maintenance activities. The expected outcomes of this project would be: * Design and checking of precast elements that could function as VRS foundations, which have the ability to span typical filter drains and accommodate a variety of VRS post spacings. * Production of these precast elements to form prototypes that can be tested to the requirements of BS EN 1317 * Concise construction methodologies for installing the precast VRS foundation, as well as for maintenance activities for the filter drains under the foundation * Modelling of the drainage, to ascertain the impact of the precast VRS foundation on the capacity of the drainage system ### Planning Information The purpose of this Market Engagement exercise is to understand market capability and potential delivery approaches for designing validating, testing and supplying precast VRS foundations that meet VRS and Drainage Standards. Interested suppliers are invited to complete an on-line questionnaire which can be accessed via the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/kUZzJGRULj This notice is issued as part of a Preliminary Market Engagement under the Procurement Act 2023. Participation does not constitute a commitment to procure or award any contract, nor does it provide any guarantee of involvement in future commercial opportunities. Information gathered will be used to support technical decision-making, standards development, and potential future procurement strategies. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074200-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | 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 | 5 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Oct 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £150,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | 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 | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development ## Release History - 5 Aug 2026 at 12:26 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074200-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074200-2026 5th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/kUZzJGRULj - 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-06dc66. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc66.json.