Scope
Reference
INF-GRP-25/1170
Description
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK's largest ports group with 21 ports across the UK, providing essential gateways for trade and enabling the green infrastructure essential for the UK's energy transition. ABP directly employs over 2,000 individuals across the UK and handle approximately a quarter of the country's seaborne trade.
ABP intend to procure a new Minor Works Framework to support the delivery of small to mid-scale civil & engineering works across its Humber, Southampton, South Wales and East Anglia port estates. The framework will provide a flexible and efficient route to market for a range of civils activities, supporting both planned and reactive works. ABP Operate 21 ports across the UK. ABP are actively considering extending the framework to additional sites, feedback from market engagement stage will inform this decision.
The objectives of the framework are to provide ABP with best value whilst supporting Project Engineers/Project Managers with access to a quick and flexible procurement vehicle.
The framework will be structured into multiple lots, segmented by both geographic region and contract value. This lotting approach is designed to ensure appropriate market coverage, encourage SME participation, and align supplier capabilities with the scale and complexity of works across ABP's Humber, Southampton, and South Wales operations.
Scope of works will include:
Reactive Maintenance (£0-£50k) & Minor Works (£0-250k)
• Excavating trenches for others (i.e. for electrical works, water leaks etc.)
• Simple Ground Investigation (I.e. CBR's, WAC tests etc.)
• Paving Repairs - I.e. reconstruction of paving crushed by HGV's or other
• Minor Shed Repairs - I.e. Concrete repairs
• General enabling works for repairs by others
• Building Fabric Works
• Minor Earthworks
• Procurement and management of required specialist subcontractors associated with the works
• May include Contractor Designed portions
Surfacing Works
• Planing of existing surfacing
• Removal of blockwork
• Regulating layers
• Base course
• Wearing Course
• Block paving
• Minor alterations to kerbing, chamber lids etc.
• Traffic Management
Small (£250k-£1.5M) & Intermediate (£1.5M-£4M) Works
• Container terminal paving
• All other types of paving and hardstandings
• Drainage, Lighting, and Mechanical and Electrical Services
• Shed Refurbishments: With work including concrete works, cladding and roofing repair
• New Small Sheds and Extensions, Canopy Construction or Infills
• Earthworks
• Retaining Wall installation
• Other Civil Engineering projects
• Procurement and management of required specialist subcontractors associated with the works
• May require Contractor Design
Following the market engagement exercise ABP will consider the outcomes. If a decision is to proceed with procurement of a new framework, a procurement strategy will be developed in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, and a compliant procedure will be undertaken to appoint suitably qualified suppliers to the Framework.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £77,000,000 excluding VAT
- £92,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 March 2026 to 1 March 2029
- Possible extension to 1 March 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45000000 - Construction work
- 45233251 - Resurfacing works
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKH1 - East Anglia
- UKL - Wales
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 October 2025
Engagement process description
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (UK2) is to invite expressions of interest from suppliers to participate in the market consultation exercise.
The purpose of the market engagement is to inform potential suppliers of ABP's upcoming Minor Works Framework opportunity, gather feedback on the proposed lotting structure and scope, and assess market capacity and capability across the Humber, Southampton, and South Wales regions and other ABP Ports. It also aims to encourage participation from a diverse supplier base, including SMEs. Insights and feedback gathered from the early engagement will inform the final procurement strategy.
We are particularly interested in the following scope of supply:
- Feedback on the proposed lotting structure by region and value band.
- Insights into supplier capacity and capability across Humber, Southampton, South Wales and East Anglia.
- Understanding any barriers to participation, especially for SMEs.
- Suggestions on how to optimise the scope, delivery model, or procurement approach to improve market engagement and value for money.
The market engagement exercise will be carried out in phases, each with a different focus. Overview of phases and anticipated timescales:
• Phase 1 - Expressions of interest and feedback via questionnaire.
• Phase 2 Strategy Testing - this phase will test and seek market feedback on the procurement strategy, proposed lotting, contract strategy and commercial approach.
• Phase 3 SME engagement - this is targeted engagement to receive feedback from SMEs and ensure the procurement event is accessible and right sized
• Phase 4 - Tender briefing - this phase will provide an overview of the procurement process prior to issuing the contract notice.
Following the market engagement exercise ABP will consider the outcomes. If a decision is to proceed a procurement strategy will be developed in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, a compliant procedure will be undertaken to appoint suitably qualified suppliers to the Framework.
Additional Information:
• Please inform ABP of your interest to participate in the market engagement by registering on the ABP supplier portal which can be accessed using this link ABP Supplier Portal - Home, then navigate to the 'tenders' area, select 'current' and search for 'Minor Works Framework'.
• Please ensure your organisation is registered to gain access to the briefing documents and questionnaires. In case of queries please email: procurement@abports.co.uk
• Further information and communications will be issued to the supply chain via the ABP supplier portal, it is essential to register and express an interest to receive updates.
• Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond this early engagement notice. Nor shall a response to this Early Engagement Notice guarantee an invitation to participate in any future procurement process that ABP conduct.
• This Early engagement Notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any works or services and in not published to reduce time limits for the receipt of tenders.
• ABP are not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to the Early Engagement Notice or any party who may participated in any future procurement process.
• In the event that ABP decides to proceed with any procurement it is assumed this will be carried out in accordance with the procurement regulations enforceable at that time.
• This Early Engagement Notice does not constitute any commitment by ABP to undertake any procurement exercise for this project.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
15 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
- Companies House: ZC000195
25 Bedford Street
London
WC2E 9ES
United Kingdom
Contact name: Daniel Murray
Email: procurement@abports.co.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Private utility