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Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) - Specialist Technical and Professional Services Framework (STaPS)

National Highways · Central government

In brief

National Highways has announced plans to buy architecture and engineering 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 £16,666,667 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 6 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 1 January 2027.

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 11 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 £16,666,667 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

This procurement is being conducted by National Highways Ltd. as current promoter of A122 Lower Thames Crossing. However, in the 2025 autumn budget statement the Government announced that it has committed to providing public funding to complete the publicly-funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of government support to enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the Lower Thames Crossing. The government’s preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model which will assume some or all of the functions, rights and liabilities of National Highways Ltd for the construction and long-term operation of…Read the full description
This procurement is being conducted by National Highways Ltd. as current promoter of A122 Lower Thames Crossing. However, in the 2025 autumn budget statement the Government announced that it has committed to providing public funding to complete the publicly-funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of government support to enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the Lower Thames Crossing. The government’s preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model which will assume some or all of the functions, rights and liabilities of National Highways Ltd for the construction and long-term operation of the A122 Lower Thames Crossing and any other associated assets within such a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model (or other financing option used). National Highways is looking to establish a framework for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) project, to provide technical consultancy, engineering advice, research and innovation for roads, structures (including tunnel), highway infrastructure, operations, environmental sustainability and health & safety. Also the evaluation and review of, projects, policies and standards, including post implementation. The services required have been listed under the following headings: a) Engineering and Standards b) Operations Maintenance c) Environmental Sustainability d) Customer Behaviour, Health & Safety and Communications e) Planning Policy, Organisational Support & Governance.

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. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 045078-2026
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 045253-2026
  3. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 047777-2026

About the buyer

National HighwaysLast 12 months

Procurements

332

Awards

253

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 soon5 hours left3 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £50mframework ceiling
  2. West Northamptonshire Council Temporary Accommodation White Goods, Furniture and Services Framework

    West Northamptonshire CouncilEast MidlandsBuilding maintenance and repairs, Electrical

    Closing soon5 hours left3 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £900kframework ceiling
  3. ISO11 Fumigation Lobby Replacement Project - Civil Works and CDM Principal Designer/Principal Contractor Role

    The Pirbright InstituteSouth EastConstruction, Management consultancy

    Closing soon5 hours leftSmall contract

    £154kestimated
  4. Design Consultancy Framework

    Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustSouth EastManagement consultancy, IT services and software

    Closing soon5 hours leftExpress interest11 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £4.5mframework ceiling
  5. Specialist Consultancy Advice and Investigation Services

    Centre for Process Innovation LimitedNorth EastArchitecture and engineering

    Closing soon5 hours leftSmall contractFramework

    £173kframework ceiling

From notice 045078-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 15 May 2026, last updated 22 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.