Telent Set to Secure £775m NRTS 3 Contract Following Competitor Withdrawal

National Highways has confirmed plans to award its £775 million National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3 contract to Telent Technology Services through a direct award, following the withdrawal of a rival bidder.

The contract was originally tendered as a competitive, flexible procedure with two submissions under consideration. After 24 October, one of the bidders pulled out, prompting National Highways to pursue a direct award to maintain continuity. The earliest the agreement could be signed is 15 September 2027.

The direct award is permitted under the Procurement Act 2023, which allows public sector bodies to take this approach in specific circumstances. Government guidance typically recommends involving multiple suppliers—five for straightforward awards or three for more complex procurements—but National Highways has determined that a direct award is appropriate here.

Scope of NRTS 3NRTS 3 will cover the operation, management, and maintenance of the national trunk road telecommunications network across England. Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining connectivity and operational performance of roadside devices and control systems.

• Delivering reliable communication services for ongoing and future trunk road projects.

• Implementing a sustainable, cost-effective strategy for renewing ageing or legacy equipment.

• Ensuring continuity of services for existing roadside infrastructure while introducing modernised replacement devices where necessary.

  
  

Telent, which currently operates the NRTS 2 contract set to expire in 2028, will continue providing connectivity services and network management under NRTS 3.

The contract is planned to run for a maximum of nine and a half years, from 16 September 2027 to 15 March 2035, with a potential extension to 15 March 2037.

National Highways has emphasised that it reserves the right to terminate or abandon the direct award process before the contract is finalised. If this occurs, a Procurement Termination Notice will be issued under section 55 of the Procurement Act 2023. Should the award be completed, a Contract Award Notice will be published under section 50 of the Act.

Full details of the NRTS 3 contract are available from National Highways.