Via East Midlands Ltd (VIA) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in advance of a proposed Highways Maintenance and Civil Engineering Framework, which is anticipated to be advertised in November 2026. The purpose of this engagement is to inform the development of the procurement strategy, scope of services, lot structure, contract requirements, and delivery model, while providing suppliers with early visibility of the Authority's future requirements. The proposed framework is anticipated to be divided into two lots, with VIA intending to appoint up to three contractors to each lot. The current proposed lot structure is: • Lot 1: Projects valued between £0 and £250,000 • Lot 2: Projects valued between £250,000 and £5,000,000 The framework is expected to have an initial term of three years, with the option to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months, subject to ongoing requirements and satisfactory performance. The framework is anticipated to cover a broad range of highways maintenance and civil engineering activities. These may include: • Early contractor involvement • Attendance at progress, programme and financial review meetings • Stakeholder engagement and liaison activities • Excavation and earthworks • Ground stabilisation • Drainage installation and maintenance • Kerbing and edging works • Footway and carriageway resurfacing • Temporary works • Construction, maintenance and repair of structures, including bridges and retaining walls • Traffic management services, or working alongside traffic management arrangements provided by VIA Contractors may also be expected to propose innovative construction methods, materials and plant, and fulfil the role of Principal Contractor in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Examples of works that may be commissioned under the framework include: • Highway Improvements: Section 278 works, junction improvements, kerbing and edging works • Drainage and Flood Alleviation: Surface water drainage installation, occasional foul drainage works, ditch clearance, local land drainage improvements and drainage relining • Footways and Cycleways: Footway improvement schemes, construction of dedicated active travel routes and dropped kerb installations • Signals and Street Lighting: Installation of ducting, NAL sockets and associated civil engineering works • Ground Stabilisation Works • New Infrastructure: Car parks, carriageways and footways • Bridge Works: New bridge construction, refurbishment and repair works • Retaining Walls: Construction, maintenance and repair works

Procurement Act 2023

At this stage, no formal market engagement questionnaire or supporting documentation have been issued. VIA welcomes expressions of interest and requests for further information from interested suppliers. Suppliers are invited to contact the procurement team at [email protected] to discuss the proposed opportunity and provide initial feedback regarding market capacity, capability and appetite. In addition, VIA may engage directly with suppliers operating within the relevant market sectors to obtain feedback that will help inform the development of the procurement and resulting framework arrangement. Participation in this preliminary market engagement exercise will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent procurement process and does not commit VIA to commence or proceed with any future procurement opportunity. Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023.