CP2608-24 Highways Term Maintenance Contract

Devon County Council (DCC) is undertaking a programme of Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) ahead of an upcoming procurement for a new NEC4 Term Service Contract for highway maintenance services. Contract award is anticipated in 2028, with a contracted start of services on 1st April 2029.

The current arrangement expires on 31 March 2029, and the Authority intends to put in place a future-focused, value-driven contract that supports safe, resilient and sustainable highway operations across Devon, both now and for the long term.

This early engagement builds on feedback from previous market engagement, which is actively informing our emerging Contract Strategy. The purpose of this PME is to better understand market capacity, current innovations, risks and opportunities, and to help shape a procurement and contract structure that is fair, competitive and genuinely attractive to the market.

Background

DCC manages the largest highway network of any local authority in England, supporting residents, businesses and visitors across a uniquely varied geography. The network spans two national parks, two coastlines, remote rural communities and growing urban centres, presenting both opportunity and challenge for the delivery of highway maintenance services.

The performance of the next contract will play a critical role in maintaining the safety, reliability and resilience of this network, while also helping the Council respond to wider pressures such as climate change, evolving customer expectations, workforce sustainability and the need to deliver long-term value for money.

DCC is therefore seeking a delivery partner that can work with us in a collaborative, transparent and innovative way, recognising that strong outcomes will be achieved through long-term partnership rather than transactional contracting.

The Authority is therefore seeking a solution that:

-supports safe, reliable, and responsive services for residents, businesses and the travelling public

-strengthens value for money and long-term affordability

-unlocks efficiencies and delivers “more for less” through smarter ways of working

-maximises performance through collaborative behaviours and shared ownership of outcomes

-enables innovation and continuous improvement across the supply chain

-contributes to DCC’s broader economic, environmental and social priorities, including carbon reduction and social value

The indicative annual contract value is in the region on £65 million. DCC is looking to establish a long-term relationship however the duration of the contract is yet to be determined.

Vision

DCC is committed to delivering high-quality, cost‑effective and resilient highway maintenance services. Through this procurement, we aim to:

-appoint a Tier 1 delivery partner to establish a long-term, collaborative “win‑win” partnership aligned with ISO 44001 principles.

-deliver economic, environmental and wider social benefits for communities across Devon.

-create the conditions for continuous improvement, innovation, and modernisation throughout the life of the contract.

-support consistency, efficiency and resilience and access for Tier 2 supply providers.

We look forward to engaging with the market as we shape this important contract. Your insight and experience will help inform a procurement and contractual model that is deliverable, collaborative, innovative and aligned with the long-term needs of Devon’s residents, communities and businesses.

Thank you for your interest in working with Devon County Council.