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Department for Transport - Data Projects RFI
Department for Transport · Central government
In brief
Department for Transport has announced plans to buy research work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.
The estimated value is £800,000 excluding VAT.
The contract runs for 1 year, starting 1 September 2026.
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?
Competition
Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 15 awards in the last 12 months).
What the notice says
Overview of requirement The Department for Transport is responsible for the transport system in England. We oversee the many public and private sector companies who deliver services, build infrastructure, and manage the upkeep of transport. The department has recently published the Transport Data Action Plan, recognising the importance of data and the benefits better data use will unlock. The department commits to high priority actions that will remove barriers and address problems identified from wide engagement. By tackling these barriers, the department will improve transport for users, make decision making more efficient and cost effective, and unlock innovation and technology to…Read the full description
Overview of requirement
The Department for Transport is responsible for the transport system in England. We oversee the many public and private sector companies who deliver services, build infrastructure, and manage the upkeep of transport.
The department has recently published the Transport Data Action Plan, recognising the importance of data and the benefits better data use will unlock. The department commits to high priority actions that will remove barriers and address problems identified from wide engagement. By tackling these barriers, the department will improve transport for users, make decision making more efficient and cost effective, and unlock innovation and technology to stimulate growth.
The department is seeking information about four separate Lots, relating to commitments in the Data Action Plan. Suppliers will be welcome to apply for one or more Lots, but all applications will be considered separately. These Lots are:
- Lot 1: A discovery into a Transport Data Marketplace
A discovery with user research into how a Transport Data Marketplace could be designed to meet needs, learn lessons from other products and understand the possible role of modern technologies.
- Lot 2: Data as asset
A discovery piece to pull together previous work on data valuation, and user research, to inform the development of practical guidance and/or toolkit and/or case studies on how to apply this in a transport context.
- Lot 3: Transport Data Standards ecosystem map
A mapping exercise to establish which organisations convene and decide on data standards in transport, understanding where there are gaps in the system, with a possible extension to consider areas beyond transport.
- Lot 4: Improving data for accessibility
A review of the data landscape for disabled people and those with accessibility needs, building on reviews already done, and creating a prioritisation framework to establish the most important data to improve and data gaps to address, as well as the economic case for making these improvements.
How to bid
- Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
- 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.
- Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Timeline
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 058043-2026
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 058155-2026
About the buyer
Department for TransportLast 12 months
Procurements
154Awards
108Suppliers it has used most for research
- AtkinsRealis UK Limited1 contract
- BSI Standards Limited1 contract
- Electricity North West1 contract
- KLH Partners1 contract
- NASH Maritime Ltd1 contract
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From notice 058043-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 19 June 2026, last updated 19 June 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.