Devon County Council Launches £78 Million Engineering Framework for Infrastructure Upgrades

Devon County Council has initiated the tender process for a comprehensive minor engineering works framework valued at up to £78 million.

Set to begin in April 2026 and run through March 2030, this four-year framework aims to support a wide range of civil and structural engineering projects essential to maintaining and improving the county's infrastructure.

The framework is designed to facilitate works that enhance and maintain highways, cycleways, flood defenses, waste management systems, and public structures throughout Devon. It is intended to streamline the procurement of contractors capable of delivering various-sized engineering tasks, improving efficiency in public infrastructure development and maintenance.

To organize the scope and scale of work, the framework will be divided into six distinct lots:

• Lot 1: Highway-related projects valued at £200,000 or less – with a total estimated budget of £12.36 million

• Lot 2: Structural works also under £200,000 – budgeted at £8.28 million

• Lot 3: Medium-scale highway projects ranging between £200,000 and £1 million – estimated value £22.56 million

• Lot 4: Medium-scale structural works in the same value bracket – estimated at £15 million

• Lot 5: Large-scale combined highway and structure projects between £1 million and £4 million – with a projected value of £15.6 million

• Lot 6: Rail interface structural works up to £1.5 million – expected to account for £4.2 million of the total framework value

  
  

Supplier allocation will vary by lot. Up to six contractors may be appointed to each of the first four lots. Lot 5, which includes larger and more complex works, will accommodate eight suppliers. Due to the specialist nature of rail-related infrastructure projects, Lot 6 will be limited to just two appointed firms.

Interested contractors must submit their initial expressions of interest by 14 November 2025, with full tender submissions required by 5 December 2025. The council anticipates announcing successful bidders by 12 March 2026, ahead of the framework’s official start in April.

Further details, including how to apply for the framework and access to tender documentation, are available via the council’s procurement portal.