Scope
Reference
PAMS011
Description
National Highways has its own dedicated telecommunications infrastructure known as the National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS). It is predominantly an optical fibre network running along the Strategic Road Network (SRN). NRTS is National Highways' "one-stop-shop" service for the provision of all roadside telecommunications and connectivity needs.
To keep road users safe and to make sure traffic flows smoothly, National Highways rely on some 38,000 roadside devices such as CCTV, Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD), Variable Message Signs (VMS), Signals and Emergency Roadside Telephones (ERTs). NRTS is the network that helps all these devices talk to each other and to the systems which are used to manage the SRN from within regional and national operating centres.
This service underpins and ensures the safe, secure and sustainable management and operation of the SRN. It provides the enabling technology and functionality to deliver the National Highways Delivery Plan and our commitments to deliver the objectives of the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS). Consequently, the NRTS3 project will provide capability to deliver the strategic objectives of National Highways through to at least the end of the RIS4 period in 2035.
Without NRTS National Highways roadside operational technology would become inoperable. Without NRTS, operations staff would be without CCTV and critical performance data upon which strategic operational decisions are based and would not have the capability to set signs and signals to inform and influence road user's behaviours and choices.
National Highways roadside devices and technology (signs, signals etc.) and the technology and systems within Regional Operations Centres (ROCs) and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) that control the roadside devices, are not part of NRTS.
The operation of almost all roadside devices on the Strategic Road Network and connectivity to and between operations centres is provided by NRTS.
This opportunity relates to the provision, operation and maintenance of telecommunications services between the roadside technology and various central locations operated by and on behalf of National Highways, the body responsible for England's SRN. Additionally, it may be necessary to further develop and enhance services and solutions to meet the changing requirements of National Highways operational roadside technology, and to undertake a programme of renewal to address active network components which will become obsolete during the course of the contract, and which may no longer be supportable.
These services are currently provided by Telent Technology Services Limited through an outsourced agreement (NRTS2) which expires in March 2028. The NRTS3 contract will need to be both procured and mobilised at least six months prior to this date to ensure a period of smooth transition between Telent Technology Services Ltd and the NRTS3 Service Provider.
The scope of the NRTS3 services will be a continuation of the existing NRTS2 services including the operation and maintenance of the network, and delivery of connectivity services to schemes.
The NRTS3 Service Provider will be required to develop a sustainable, affordable and cost-effective NRTS equipment renewal strategy with a focus on critical obsolescence management to ensure the current suite of services are adequately supported. Renewal of some legacy equipment will be required early in the NRTS3 contract. National Highways will continue to utilise legacy roadside operational technology throughout the period of theNRTS3 contract. NRTS3 is therefore required to continue to support the existing connectivity to these roadside devices. (including RS485 and "plain old telephone service" (POTS) dependent upon legacy copper-based technologies). The NRTS3 Service Provider shall also be responsible for the development of a replacement hardware device referred to as an Internet Protocol Translator (IPT) which provides translation to/from the IP/RS485-based protocol currently used by a substantial proportion of roadside technology.
The existing National Highways analogue CCTV estate is expected to be upgraded to digital by 2030. The NRTS3 Service Provider may be required to support National Highways with the upgrade of a proportion of the analogue CCTV cameras (roadside end devices) as a part of this programme of works. This would be an additional task to the delivery of the NRTS programme. The role which the NRTS3 Service Provider may undertake shall be limited to the installation and commissioning of free-issue equipment to be procured by National Highways.
Additionally, Tenderers will be required to provide a price for the optional Corporate Network Services to deliver and maintain the connectivity to and within National Highways offices and other central locations. This service shall require no systems level integration with the roads telecommunications services. A decision on its inclusion shall be taken by National Highways during the pre-contract period.
Total value (estimated)
- £643,624,252 excluding VAT
- £775,695,464 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 September 2027 to 15 March 2035
- Possible extension to 15 March 2037
- 9 years, 6 months
Description of possible extension:
Up to a maximum of 24 months extension.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The NRTS3 contract contains an option for National Highways to fulfil its requirements for networking capability to and within its offices nationwide. NRTS has traditionally functioned solely as the operational network, disaggregated from the corporate network but under NRTS3, the contract unambiguously provides National Highways the option to bring both the operational and corporate network together (though this element is not evaluated as part of the procurement).
In addition, as part of the continual improvement of the NRTS3 services, either party may propose innovations to the NRTS services throughout the contract term. These innovations may be developed in order to improve service delivery and/or to support emerging business needs and requirements. Such activities are delivered through Innovation Projects in accordance with the contract, against defined scope and requirements. Again, whilst unambiguously provided for in the contract, this is not evaluated as part of the procurement.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 64200000 - Telecommunications services
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 45000000 - Construction work
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Justification for not using lots
National Highways considered the use for lots on the NRTS3 procurement during the strategy stage. For this contract it was not considered beneficial to divide the contract into Lots, due to the increase in technical delivery risks and contract management complexity.
Pre-market engagement and a Delivery Model Assessment has informed this decision, ensuring the approach best supports efficient delivery and value for money.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As per the Conditions of Participation Guidance document available on the Sourcing Portal
Technical ability conditions of participation
As per the Conditions of Participation Guidance document available on the Sourcing Portal
Submission
Enquiry deadline
8 May 2025, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
21 May 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
National Highways will use a Sourcing Portal called Jaggaer in this procurement exercise. Information on how to take part in this Tender is detailed below:
1. Register your company on the Sourcing portal (this is only required once)
Visit - https://nationalhighways.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/
and click the link to register
Accept the terms and conditions and click 'continue' - Enter your business and user details - Note the username you chose and click 'Save' when complete - You will shortly receive an email with your unique password.
2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the portal - Click the 'PQQs Open to All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires open to any registered supplier).
Click on the relevant PQQ to access the content (PQQ_82 - National Roads Telecommunications Services (NRTS) 3).
Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of this page. This will move the PQQ into your 'My PQQs page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only). You can access any attachments by clicking the 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ Details' box.
3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ Details', you can 'Create Response' or 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining).
You can use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ.
There may be a mixture of online and offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available). Submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance, please consult online help or contact the eTendering help desk.
You should also be aware that if your bid is successful the resulting contract will be published. In some circumstances, limited redactions will be made to tender documentation and/or contracts before they are published in order to comply with existing law, to protect commercial interests and for the protection of national security.
Further information will be set out in the Tender Documents. Contract dates stated are indicative and may be subject to change.
National Highways reserves the right not to accept the highest scoring, or any, tender. Bidders should note that tenders are submitted at the supplier's own cost and risk. National Highways may cancel the competition or part of it for any reason, and bidders' costs will not be reimbursed. National Highways expressly reserves the right (i) not to award any contract as a result of this tendering exercise commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will National Highways be liable for any costs incurred by candidates.
Further information is provided in the procurement documents.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Suppliers to be invited to tender
Maximum 3 suppliers
Selection criteria:
As per the Conditions of Participation Guidance document available on the Sourcing Portal
Award decision date (estimated)
4 March 2027
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Questions | Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HS&W) - Pass/Fail Social Value Small & Medium Enterprises Transition Service Delivery - Service Management and Governance Service Delivery - Maintenance of NRTS Assets Service... |
Quality |
Weighting description
For the Evaluation, National Highways will use a Weighted Value for Money Index (WVfMI), in accordance with the guidance included within the Government Commercial Function's 'The Sourcing Programme' dated September 2024.
Quality Questions will be individually weighted as per the Award Criteria
Other information
Payment terms
As per the draft contract documents
Description of risks to contract performance
As per the draft contract documents
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
A PIN has been issued for this Tender under the OCID ocds-h6vhtk-04ca08. Link to this notice is below:
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041155-2024?
The procurement will follow the Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and associated Procurement Regulations 2024.
The CFP procedure has been selected as it presents National Highways with the opportunity to achieve a more effective, flexible, and value-driven procurement process, ultimately leading to better project outcomes and a stronger Service Provider relationship.
The procurement process sets out to:
• Shortlist up to three (3) Tenderers that pass all the Conditions of Participation (CoP) requirements and achieve the highest scores in accordance with the CoP Process, enabling them to move into the second tender stage.
• Undertake a process with the selected Tenderer that enables a structured consultation around proposed solutions, areas of innovation, clear understanding of the key risks and constraints and the ability of the Tenderers to meet the Requirements.
• Submission of the Final Tender by each Tenderer and evaluation by
National Highways; and,
• Award the NRTS3 Agreement to the Most Advantageous Tender as set out in the ITT.
The procedure will contain the following Key Milestones:
- Release of Tender Notice, CoP (including a Procurement Specific
Questionnaire), draft Contract Documents, draft Tender Documents & access to a Data Room
- CoP Return
- CoP Assessment / Governance
- CoP Outcomes & Standstill
- Shortlist to three (3) Tenderers for the second stage of the procurement
- 1st Tender Period Commences
- 1st Consultation
- 1st Tender Submission
- Review of Initial Tenders and Governance
- 2nd Consultation
- 2nd Tender Period Commences
- 2nd Tender Submission
- Assessment
- Internal and External Governance
- Outcomes & Standstill (including the issue of the Assessment Reports)
- Award of Contract
Further detail can be found in the ITT document available on the Sourcing Portal
NRTS3 Contract and Procurement Videos
As well as the Conditions of Participation Guidance documents for suppliers, National Highways has recorded a number of informative narrated presentations, to guide you through the procurement process. These presentations can be found on National Highways Sourcing Portal.
Note: registration on the Central Digital Platform will be a mandatory requirement to participate in this procurement process.
We hereby confirm, National Highways has conducted a Conflict of Interest (CoI) assessment, prior to the issue of this Notice. Such CoI assessments shall continue at appropriate stages throughout this procurement process.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Following the Conditions of Participation stage, Tender documents will be released to the shortlisted participants via the Sourcing Portal.
Contracting authority
National Highways
- Companies House: 09346363
Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
GU1 4LZ
United Kingdom
Email: NRTS3team@nationalhighways.co.uk
Website: https://nationalhighways.co.uk
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government