This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth
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Dorset Council aims to enlist a tier one contractor to perform a 10-year highways maintenance contract.
The council is looking for a “tier one contractor with extensive experience of large construction and highway projects who can deliver a range of highway maintenance and infrastructure projects”, it said in a 17 April preliminary engagement notice.
The contract is due to begin on 1 April 2027, with an optional five-year extension to 2037. It will cover both routine and project-based maintenance of roads and infrastructure across the county. The contract will be worth £240m including VAT.
Dorset Council added that it would welcome comments on incentivisation, reciprocal trade, and flexibility of service delivery.
Interested firms have until 7 May to complete a pre-market engagement questionnaire via the council’s e-tendering portal.
The procurement process has not yet begun, but the council expects to issue tender documents in March 2026.
The current notice is intended only to gauge market interest and inform future procurement strategy. Responses will not be used to assess bidders’ capabilities at tender stage.
Clarification questions can be submitted until noon on 25 April through the Supplying the South West portal. One-to-one meetings may also be arranged to discuss feedback in more detail.
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender
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Ben Vogel