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ABP Professional Services Framework

Associated British Ports · Private utility

In brief

Associated British Ports has announced plans to buy architecture and engineering and fire safety work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

It is a framework worth up to £75,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 3 May 2027.

It is split into 10 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Express interest by
11:59pm, Friday 21 August 2026

This is the first stage. You register interest now, and shortlisted suppliers are invited to bid later.

Competition

Usually high: a median of 8 bids per contract for architecture and engineering contracts in this region (from 128 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £75,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

Conditions

  • You can bid for up to 6 lots.

The buyer expects to buy this again around March 2034.

What the notice says

The Contracting Authority intends to establish a multi‑supplier Professional Services Framework to support a broad range of project, engineering, property, and specialist advisory requirements across its operations. The framework will enable the delivery of services in support of major capital projects, regional investment programmes, and property-related activities, providing access to a diverse and capable supply chain. The requirement includes, but is not limited to: Project and programme management services Design and engineering services Architectural services Planning and consent support Property and asset-related consultancy Specialist technical advisory services The framework will be structured into multiple Lots and Sub‑Lots, including both national and regional delivery models, to ensure appropriate alignment of supplier capability with project scale, complexity, and geographic requirements. Regional elements are intended to support local supplier participation and SME engagement, alongside larger national providers. The framework is expected to operate as an open framework arrangement, with the potential for periodic re‑opening to introduce additional suppliers and maintain competitive tension over its duration.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Register your interest before 11:59pm, Friday 21 August 2026. Shortlisted suppliers are then invited to bid.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Lot 1a - Project Support Services (National)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Provision of project, programme, cost, commercial, procurement and governance support across the full project lifecycle including interface management, risk, delivery control and close-out.

IT services and software, Management consultancy, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 1b - Project Support Services (Regional)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Provision of project, programme, cost, commercial, procurement and governance support across the full project lifecycle including interface management, risk, delivery control and close-out for regionally delivered projects, with emphasis on local presence, responsiveness, and knowledge of regional delivery requirements.

IT services and software, Management consultancy, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 2a - Design & Engineering (National)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Provision of multi‑disciplinary engineering design, technical assurance, and specialist advisory services for complex, high‑value, or nationally significant projects.

Fire safety, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 2b - Design & Engineering (Regional)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Provision of engineering design and technical support services for regional and lower‑complexity projects, including access to local capability and geographically aligned delivery teams.

Fire safety, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 3 - Architecture
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Architectural design and consultancy services, including concept design, stakeholder engagement, planning support, and delivery in accordance with RIBA work stages.

Architecture and engineering—
Lot 4a - Strategic Planning Services
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Provision of strategic planning advice and statutory consenting support, including Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and input into Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes.

Environmental services, Legal services, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 4b - Local Planning Services
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Town and country planning services, including permitting, local authority engagement, and regionally focused planning advice and support.

Environmental services, Legal services, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 5 - Property Services
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Strategic property advisory and specialist consultancy services, including valuation, reinstatement cost assessments, dilapidations, and rating services.

Architecture and engineering, Property and estates—
Lot 6a - Environmental Advisory Services (Marine)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Marine ecology, biodiversity, and coastal/environmental advisory services.

Environmental services, Architecture and engineering—
Lot 6b - Environment Advisory Services (Landside)
3 May 2027 to 2 May 2030
What this lot covers

Environmental assessment and advisory services, including Environmental Impact Assessments and sustainability support.

Environmental services, Architecture and engineering—

Timeline

  1. Planned procurement notice · UK3, notice 060688-2026
  2. Planned procurement notice · UK3, notice 060944-2026

About the buyer

Procurements

25

Awards

10

Suppliers it has used most for architecture and engineering

  1. Vehicle Restraint Systems

    The Association of North East Councils LimitedNorth EastConstruction, Highways and street lighting

    Closing soon46 hours left3 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £50mframework ceiling
  2. Specialist Consultancy Advice and Investigation Services

    Centre for Process Innovation LimitedNorth EastArchitecture and engineering

    Closing soon46 hours leftSmall contractFramework

    £173kframework ceiling
  3. Health Surveillance Services

    Thirteen Housing Group LimitedNorth EastArchitecture and engineering, Healthcare services

    Closing soon2 days left

    Value not stated
  4. PA2 - Archaeological Management Plan & HE1 Works Specification, Wallingford Scheduled Monuments

    Wallingford Town CouncilNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestArchitecture and engineering, Leisure, culture and events

    Closing soon3 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £40kestimated
  5. Technical Implementation Partner & Business Change Partner (DASP)

    NHS Blood and TransplantNorth East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, South WestIT services and software, Management consultancy

    Open7 days leftLow competition2 lotsSuitable for SMEs

    £9.17mestimated

From notice 060688-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 29 June 2026, last updated 29 June 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.