Research and development services and related consultancy services

Tender description

The contract was previously advertised under the name Specialist Professional, Environmental, Customer Insight, Technical, Research and Engineering Services (SPECTRE) Framework. Appointed suppliers will provide specialist, professional, technical consultancy, engineering advice, research, innovation and procurement advice services across a range of transport related topics. The framework will be divided into two lots and will be for a duration of 4 years. The provision of technical consultancy, engineering advice, research and innovation for roads, vehicles, highway infrastructure and operations on the following topics: (a) asset operation, maintenance, assurance and performance; (b) business support; (c) communications and data transfer; (d) customer insight research, market research and publicity; (e) design standards manuals and departures; (f) economics, statistics and transport modelling; (g) enforcement policy; (h) environmental; (i) geotechnical engineering; (j) health and safety, security, road safety and vehicle restraint; (k) highway structures; (l) identity and image; (m) incident management and traffic officer service; (n) intelligent transport; (o) management information systems; (p) network resilience; (q) pavement engineering; (r) pilots and trials; (s) post implementation evaluation; (t) quality management; (u) risk and value management; (v) road user behaviour; (w) strategic transport planning and policy; (x) sustainability; (y) traffic signals and road lighting; (z) transport engineering. It is expected that the successful suppliers will utilise a diverse supply chain to provide specialist support in the required areas. Work under the framework may be awarded following mini-competition, following a single response to a request for expressions of interest or through a direct award to a single supplier. The main site of performance of the activities is England. However, successful suppliers may be requested to work outside of England in support of the organisations enabled to use this framework, as noted at VI.3). The provision of procurement advice and support for contract development, supply chain analysis and general procurement activities, including commercial assessment support. There will be a maximum of six suppliers appointed to this lot. It is expected that the successful suppliers will utilise a focused supply chain to reduce opportunities for conflicts of interest in the supported procurement activities. Work under the framework may be awarded following mini-competition, following a single response to a request for expressions of interest or through a direct award to a single supplier. The main site of performance of the activities is England. However, successful suppliers may be requested to work outside of England in support of the organisations enabled to use this framework, as noted at VI.3).