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Dorset Highways Contractor Resource (Top up labour) Framework

Dorset Council · Local authority

In brief

Dorset Council has announced plans to buy construction and highways 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 £25,200,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 4 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 14 June 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

Usually low: a median of 2 bids per contract for this buyer (from 9 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 £25,200,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

Dorset Council is to set up a framework for the provision of labour support including traffic management, skilled and semi-skilled highway maintenance operatives, LGV drivers and specialist trades (bricklayer/ stone mason, carpenter/ shuttering carpenter, welder, blacksmith, steel fixer, kerb layer, slab and block layer). These roles will support the delivery of highway maintenance and construction projects in the Dorset area (including the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area). The framework will be split into 4 lots.

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.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 034560-2026
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 034577-2026

About the buyer

Dorset CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

35

Awards

15

Suppliers it has used most for construction

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From notice 034560-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 16 April 2026, last updated 16 April 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.