Buckinghamshire Launches Market Engagement for Next Generation Highways Contracts

Buckinghamshire Council has begun engaging with the supply chain ahead of procuring two new highways frameworks, with the authority seeking industry expertise to help shape future contracts covering construction, maintenance, design and professional services across the county.

Buckinghamshire Council has launched a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise as it prepares to procure two new highways framework agreements designed to support the delivery of future infrastructure investment across the county.

The early engagement programme is intended to gather feedback from contractors, consultants and specialist suppliers before the formal procurement process begins, helping the authority refine how the frameworks are structured and ensuring they reflect current market capability.

The new arrangements will support a broad programme of highways, transport, drainage, structures and environmental improvement projects, although the council has yet to confirm the overall value of the contracts.

Two Complementary Frameworks Planned

The procurement strategy will establish two separate but complementary frameworks, covering both physical delivery and professional support services.

The first, Framework 1 – Highways Works, will provide access to contractors delivering a wide range of construction, maintenance and civil engineering activities.

This will include site investigations and surveys, highway construction, drainage works, bridge and structural maintenance, traffic signs, road markings, resurfacing programmes, pavement renewal and specialist surfacing treatments.

Alongside the delivery framework, Framework 2 – Professional Services will provide technical expertise supporting the council's infrastructure programme.

Services are expected to include project and programme management, procurement advice, engineering design, environmental consultancy, arboricultural services, flood risk and drainage expertise, together with specialist support covering climate resilience, decarbonisation and sustainability.

Shaping the Procurement with Industry

Rather than simply issuing a tender, Buckinghamshire Council is using the market engagement exercise to gain a clearer understanding of supplier capability, delivery capacity and emerging innovations across the highways sector.

The authority is also seeking feedback on potential delivery models, framework structures, lotting arrangements and any risks that suppliers believe should be considered before the contracts are finalised.

By consulting the market at an early stage, the council hopes to develop a procurement strategy that remains flexible while encouraging competition and supporting efficient delivery throughout the framework's lifespan.

Supporting Future Infrastructure Investment

The frameworks are expected to underpin Buckinghamshire Council's future highways investment programme, providing a streamlined route for procuring both construction works and specialist consultancy services over the coming years.

Successful suppliers appointed to the frameworks will support the authority across a diverse range of infrastructure projects aimed at maintaining and improving the county's transport network.

Both frameworks are expected to commence on 18 January 2027 and run until 17 January 2030.

The Preliminary Market Engagement exercise remains open until 4 August 2026, with interested organisations required to register through Buckinghamshire Council's procurement portal to access the documentation and submit their responses.

The exercise represents the first step in what is expected to be a significant procurement programme, giving the market an opportunity to help shape the future delivery of highways and infrastructure services across Buckinghamshire.