T0534 Technical Support for European Engagement

Tender description

S105.1 Highways England has participated in many European ITS projects over the past 13 years, benefiting from knowledge share as well as gaining influence on European ITS developments and strategy that might impact Highways England's business and revenue. Highways England is seeking to contract with an experienced consultant in this area who will support Highways England and its partners through its ongoing commitments and to additionally work through the implications of the UK's new relationship with the European Union. The contractor is expected to provide project management, administrative and technical support on the following five key projects in which Highways England are currently engaged: Headline Objectives for European Engagements The headline objectives of this task are to provide an effective and efficient support to Highways England to ensure that its continued commitment to the EU programme is effectively and efficiently delivered such that Highways England maximises the benefits of participation, whilst protecting the interests of Highways England as a whole. At the same time to assist in modifying its current engagement to reflect the UK's evolving relationship with Europe. This includes both financial management and project management activities as well as administrative and technical assistance as applicable. A further key objective is to ensure that Highways England is able to contribute to and influence European thinking on the development and deployment of ITS by targeted involvement in technical ITS platform activities and in particular any updates of the ITS Deployment Guidelines. This will enable Highways England to keep its own interests and those of the UK more widely by ensuring that any guidance, specifications and standards that may be formalised do not impact with the UK. This task will also ensure that Highways England is able to keep abreast of European ITS developments and can utilise this knowledge to enhance the way it improves, maintains and operates the English inter-urban road network and thus deliver a better level of service for drivers and better support economic growth for the UK by being effectively involved in European activities which involve the exchange of best practice between European ITS practitioners and stakeholders. The task will maximise the opportunities for Highways England to share costs whilst maximising the benefits of cooperating and collaborating with European road operators whilst addressing common issues. It will also raise the European profile of Highways England and its UK partners and enhance both its own reputation and that of the UK more widely in Europe through effective involvement in activities and delivery of its commitments. Contractor Requirements Activities undertaken as part of the project on behalf of Highways England and DfT where appropriate will comply with any legal Decision and/or Grant Agreement of the EU.