Gloucestershire Sets Out £60m, Four-Year Highways Construction Framework

Gloucestershire County Council has started the search for contractors to join a new multi-supplier framework that will deliver up to £60 million worth of highways construction over the next four years.

The council says the arrangement is intended to simplify procurement by replacing numerous separate tender exercises with a single, long-term route to market.

The framework is split into two specialist lots.

Lot 1 – Highways ProjectsThis lot covers a broad portfolio of road and public realm schemes, ranging from new carriageways and major junction redesigns to widening works and integrated transport improvements. Elements such as earthworks, drainage, lighting columns and directional signage also fall within scope. Individual projects are expected to be valued between £500,000 and £10 million.

Lot 2 – Structures and Geotechnical WorksThe second lot focuses on heavy civil engineering, including bridge construction and refurbishment, culvert and tunnel works, retaining structures, piling operations and slope stabilisation. Schemes in this category will be between £250,000 and £10 million.

The council intends to use the NEC4 Framework Contract (2017, updated 2023) as the overarching agreement, with each scheme delivered under the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract. Both direct awards and mini-competitions will be available, but mini-competitions will normally be required—and will be compulsory for any work package exceeding the current procurement threshold of £5,372,609.

Evaluation will consider quality, price and social value, with at least 15% of the score dedicated to social value commitments. Bidders will also undergo financial standing assessments.

The new arrangement is scheduled to run from 11 February 2026 to 10 February 2030. The council anticipates annual spending of around £10 million on Lot 1 and £5 million on Lot 2, giving each lot an estimated total value of £40 millionand £20 million respectively (excluding VAT). No limit has been set on the number of contractors that can join, and providers will not be charged a framework fee.

Suppliers wishing to participate must submit their bids electronically by 12:00 noon on 12 January 2026, via the council’s procurement portal, with contract awards expected to be confirmed on 30 January 2026.