Scope
Reference
SONA692 (pro_21896)
Description
National Highways Traffic Officers when responding and dealing with incidents on the SRN often have to deploy temporary emergency traffic management (ETM) to create a 'safety buffer zone'. This safety zone is crucial to the safety and well-being of operatives and road-users. Where ETM has been deployed, there has been reported incidents of breaches (i.e. incursions) by motorists that has resulted in near misses, injuries and in some cases the successful prosecution of motorists.
A prototype system owned by Race Technology Limited is to be trialled in a live environment to enable the development of both an algorithm to enhance software that predicts vehicle movements and for the further development of a radar and a handheld device so that the system operates as intended.
A direct award under the Procurement Act 2023 is permissible under Direct award for prototypes (Procurement Act 2023 Schedule 5, para 2)
Direct award for prototypes (PA 23 Sched 5, para 2)
o for the production of a prototype, or supply of other novel goods or services, for the purpose of-
(a) testing the suitability of the goods or services,
(b) researching the viability of producing or supplying the goods or services at scale and developing them for that purpose, or
(c) other research, experiment, study or development
o Doesn't have to be for the benefit of the public.
Further development is required of the prototype system to finesse the system based upon findings and feedback from on-road trials, specifically on parts of the Strategic Road Network (SRN), targeting tunnels and hard to access areas that could impede signal accuracy or require other algorithm refinements. These trials and the data acquired will be used to provide firmware, software and hardware updates to an existing prototype system.
Contract 1. ETM Incursion Warning Radar System – Prototype Development.
Supplier
Contract value
- £381,000 excluding VAT
- £457,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
15 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 October 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 5 months, 16 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 35113000 - Safety equipment
- 35121700 - Alarm systems
- 35121900 - Radar detectors
- 35722000 - Radar
- 38431000 - Detection apparatus
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Contract locations
- CZ06 - South-East
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Not Applicable
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Prototypes and development
National Highways Traffic Officers when responding and dealing with incidents on the SRN often have to deploy temporary emergency traffic management (ETM) to create a 'safety buffer zone'. This safety zone is crucial to the safety and well-being of operatives and road-users. Where ETM has been deployed, there has been reported incidents of breaches (i.e. incursions) by motorists that has resulted in near misses, injuries and in some cases the successful prosecution of motorists.
A prototype system owned by Race Technology Limited is to be trialled in a live environment to enable the development of both an algorithm to enhance software that predicts vehicle movements and for the further development of a radar and a handheld device so that the system operates as intended.
A direct award under the Procurement Act 2023 is permissible under Direct award for prototypes (Procurement Act 2023 Schedule 5, para 2)
Direct award for prototypes (PA 23 Sched 5, para 2)
o for the production of a prototype, or supply of other novel goods or services, for the purpose of-
(a) testing the suitability of the goods or services,
(b) researching the viability of producing or supplying the goods or services at scale and developing them for that purpose, or
(c) other research, experiment, study or development
o Doesn't have to be for the benefit of the public.
Further development is required of the prototype system to finesse the system based upon findings and feedback from on-road trials, specifically on parts of the Strategic Road Network (SRN), targeting tunnels and hard to access areas that could impede signal accuracy or require other algorithm refinements. These trials and the data acquired will be used to provide firmware, software and hardware updates to an existing prototype system.
Supplier
Race Technology Limited
- Companies House: 03608546
16 Kings Street
Nottingham
NG16 3DA
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 01773 537620
Email: sales@race-technology.com
Website: https://www.race-technology.com/gb
Region: UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. ETM Incursion Warning Radar System - Prototype Development.
Contracting authority
National Highways
- Companies House: 09346363
Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
GU1 4LZ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Andrew Pritchard
Telephone: +44 0300 123 5000
Email: ADProcurement@nationalhighways.co.uk
Website: https://nationalhighways.co.uk
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - central government