Norfolk County Council has retendered a highways and infrastructure professional services contract valued at £103.56m, following the collapse of an earlier procurement exercise.
The agreement is intended to replace the council’s current arrangement with WSP, which is due to expire on or before 31 March 2028. The new contract is expected to begin on 28 July 2027, subject to the procurement timetable.
Scope and timetable
The initial term will run for five years, ending on 30 November 2032. Norfolk can extend the contract until 31 March 2040, giving it a potential duration of almost 13 years.
The council says the contract will support its in-house teams across highway design, project delivery studies, stakeholder consultation, maintenance, asset management and capital improvement schemes. It will also cover bridges and structures, environmental and carbon assessments, archaeology and heritage, and transport planning.
Enquiries are due by 16 October, with requests to participate required by 2 November. Norfolk expects to announce the successful suppliers by 16 July 2027.
Value rises during retender
The contract’s estimated value has increased through successive procurement notices. It was initially put at £92.4m, then increased to £100.8m before reaching the current figure of £103.56m.
Norfolk said its earlier procurement could not be concluded and that it had reviewed its approach before launching the new competition. The latest notice does not identify a preferred supplier.
The contract is designed to provide technical support from the early development of schemes through to delivery. That includes assessing design, drainage, structures, land requirements, traffic impacts and construction sequencing before work reaches site.
Its terms also allow the agreement to be assigned or novated to a successor authority or a joint body incorporating Norfolk County Council. Services may additionally be instructed for the benefit of any local authority serving Norfolk and Suffolk.