Closed

Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

Department for Transport · Central government

In brief

Department for Transport was looking for suppliers for architecture and engineering and IT and software work. Bidding has closed and no award has been published yet.

It is a framework worth up to £350,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 31 July 2027.

It is split into 2 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.

What the notice says

In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”). DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027). The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier…Read the full description
In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”). DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027). The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects. The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management. Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement. The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail. The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as “Clients”. These “Clients” are detailed in the “Contracting authorities that may use the framework” section below. In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice
31 July 2027 to 30 July 2030
What this lot covers

Lot 1 provides specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport modes. Lot 1 will be sub-divided into eleven (11) Sub-Lots, across five (5) categories. The eleven (11) Sub-Lots will be awarded based on whether an Applicant is successful to the PRIME Grade (one (1) Sub-Lot) or to the MEDIUM and EXPERT Grade (five (5) Sub-Lots for each Category per Grade). Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. Lot 1 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require technical, commercial, operational, strategic, infrastructure, and programme delivery advice to support transport policy development, investment decision-making, and delivery. The Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Categories within Lot 1: Category A – Transport Strategy, Planning and Economic Forecasting Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting advice General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Strategic corporate planning and appraisal Business case support Benefits realisation support Monitoring and evaluation Control and investment period advice and analysis Strategic planning and research Transport market reviews High level general transport investment strategy support Macro and micro-economic advice Remapping and devolution studies Fare reviews and policy Ticketless travel and ticket retailing Revenue protection Modelling – revenue forecasting, fares and demand Package-specific bid evaluation support AI strategy development in transport Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category B – Transport Operations and Performance Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport operations, performance and customer service advice General transport operations, performance and customer service research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Operational proposal package Operational management Timetabling, diagramming, rostering Staffing policy/strategy Industrial relations/Trade Unions/TUPE/pensions General transport operational interfaces Management and business structure Operational mobilisation Operational safety Modal and inter-modal integration, interfaces and connectivity Passenger communication Passenger connectivity Service quality/customer service Passenger flow monitoring Cycle and walking advice Accessibility Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon, and social value. Category C – Commercial Advice for Transport Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General commercial advice for transport Commercial advice for transport research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Commercial risk analysis, adjustment, and profiling Model structuring and development Revenue and incentivisation commercial advice Comparator and should cost modelling and associated business case support Commercial strategy development, delivery and assurance Contract administration and contract management Estimating, cost planning, cost data analysis and benchmarking Quantitative cost risk analysis including Monte Carlo analysis Package-specific bid evaluation support Business and commercial model design Model analysis and testing of commercial models Supply chain mapping Commercial due diligence Project management commercial advice Procurement process management Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category D – Transport Infrastructure and Asset Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and general transport asset management and advice Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and assets research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Transport infrastructure predictive and preventative strategic support and advice Transport hub design, layout, logistics, passenger & pedestrian movement and facilities Stations - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Airports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Ports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Depots and stabling - strategy and advice Signaling and systems - strategy and advice Rolling stock - strategy and advice Rolling stock - management, acceptance, planning, leasing In operation facilities and services Technical due diligence General transport engineering, feasibility & operating advice Power / electrification including renewable and other energy sources strategy and advice Telecommunications and digital strategy and advice Intelligent infrastructure for asset management Package specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category E – Transport Project and Programme Management Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General project, programme and portfolio management advice Project, programme and portfolio management research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Programme partner Programme, project and portfolio management Programme, project and portfolio delivery Programme, project and portfolio controls, risk management and change control. Programme, project and portfolio assurance Integrated assurance Stakeholder management advice Project feasibility advice Project representative Enterprise, programme and project integration management Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.

IT services and software, Management consultancy, Marketing and communications, Architecture and engineering, Research and development£342,500,000
Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice
31 July 2027 to 30 July 2030
What this lot covers

Lot 2 provides Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice. Lot 2 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require interim general transport advisors, high calibre panel and review team resources and development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies. Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. This Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Category F – Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice Typical requirements include, but are not limited to: Sourcing interim general transport advisors Sourcing high calibre panel and review team resources. Development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies

IT services and software, Management consultancy, Marketing and communications, Architecture and engineering, Research and development£7,500,000

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 086155-2025
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 001922-2026
  3. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 040153-2026
  4. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 052185-2026
  5. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 062434-2026
  6. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 062455-2026
  7. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 065627-2026
  8. Tender notice · UK4, notice 072876-2026
  9. Tender notice · UK4, notice 072885-2026
  10. Tender notice · UK4, notice 072886-2026
  11. Tender notice · UK4, notice 082843-2026

About the buyer

Procurements

153

Awards

110

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From notice 086155-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 24 December 2025, last updated 1 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.