--- title: "Exploratory Research into the Adaptation and Implementation of the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK Bridge Infrastructure" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED" published: "2026-08-05" --- # Exploratory Research into the Adaptation and Implementation of the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK Bridge Infrastructure Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67.json) ## Summary National Highways Limited, a UK government-owned entity, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for "Exploratory Research into the Adaptation and Implementation of the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK Bridge Infrastructure." This project falls under the Research Services category and is part of an initiative to understand the feasibility of applying this advanced non-destructive testing technique to detect internal deterioration in bridge structures across various regions in the United Kingdom, including the Midlands and the North West. The preliminary market engagement seeks insights into the capabilities required to employ the MMFM effectively. Stakeholders interested in this process need to submit their responses by the deadline on 31 August 2026. This tender opens up opportunities for businesses specialising in research services, particularly those with capabilities in advanced non-destructive testing technologies. Companies with experience in infrastructure assessment and those who can provide collaborative research partnerships stand to benefit from this procurement opportunity. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that possess the required expertise in this niche field may find this exploratory engagement beneficial for showcasing their capabilities ahead of potential future procurements related to bridge maintenance technology advancements. ## Notice National Highways is a government owned organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network National Highways seeks to undertake exploratory research into the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM), an advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) technique used to detect internal corrosion, wire breaks, and deterioration in bridge cable systems. This research will investigate the method's suitability, performance, and adaptability for the United Kingdom's bridge stock, particularly within aging suspension, cable-stayed, prestressed and post-tensioned concrete structures. There are claims that MMFM could demonstrate effectiveness under various protective layers--including cement grout, galvanisation, coatings, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheathing, and wax--while providing quantitative assessment of corrosion and residual cable capacity. This exploratory work aims to understand if these claims for MMFM can be technically validated, and adaption for deployment under UK environmental and operational conditions could be considered. This notice forms part of a preliminary market engagement process under the Procurement Act 2023. It is intended solely to support exploratory research and does not constitute a call for competition or commit National Highways to any future procurement. All information shared during this process will be managed in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. ### Planning Information The purpose of this market engagement is to gather information, insights, and research collaboration opportunities from organisations with experience in MMFM. National Highways wishes to understand the feasibility of UK‑based application, potential research partnerships, and requirements for data calibration, interpretation, and long‑term capability development. This exploratory research may inform future work oriented to technical specifications, pilot studies, and potential procurement pathways for integrating MMFM into national bridge maintenance strategies. Interested suppliers are invited to complete a Market Engagement questionnaire via the following link. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/rZGdajuaXS This questionnaire seeks further information on supplier's research capability, experience with MMFM or similar technologies, available equipment, analytical tools and proposed areas for collaborative research. Responses should focus on exploratory research potential rather than commercial deployment. This notice is issued as a Preliminary Market Engagement notice under the Procurement Act 2023. It supports exploratory research and market understanding only and does not represent a call for competition or a commitment to any future procurement. Participation in this process will not confer any advantage in subsequent procurement activities. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074202-2026 | | 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 | £50,000 | | 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 - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 5 Aug 2026 at 12:27 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074202-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074202-2026 5th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/rZGdajuaXS - 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-06dc67. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67.json.