DfI TRAM Preliminary Market Engagement

Road Asset Management (RAM) – Small Works Framework

DfI is inviting interested suppliers to participate in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise for the upcoming Small Works Framework.   

This framework will cover a wide range of routine and reactive maintenance, environmental maintenance, and small-scale civil engineering activities across eleven contract areas throughout Northern Ireland as follows:

A.  SWF N1 - Antrim & Newtownabbey

B.  SWF N2 - Mid & East Antrim

C.  SWF N3 - Causeway Coast & Glens

D.  SWF E1 - Belfast City

E.  SWF E2 - Lisburn & Castlereagh

F.  SWF S1 - Newry, Mourne & Down

G. SWF S2 - Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon

H. SWF S3 - Ards & North Down

I.  SWF W1 - Mid Ulster

J.  SWF W2 - Fermanagh & Omagh

K. SWF W3 - Derry City & Strabane

Further detail on the range of work activities to be undertaken under contracts from the Framework are outlined in the PME. 

This market engagement is in addition to previous external consultation undertaken with the market in September 2022 (DfI Roads - Market Consultation - Briefing).  Following the conclusion of that consultation, the final PEP procurement strategy was published in March 2023.

Suppliers are invited to complete a short online questionnaire to help shape our proposed requirements and future procurement approach. The deadline for submission of responses is 23:59 on Friday 17 April 2026.

Road Asset Management (RAM) - Improvement Projects Framework

Typical work activities to be delivered under the framework include:

A. Earthworks

B. Pavement construction and surfacing

C. Cycleway construction

D. Footway construction and refurbishment

E. Working with Services / Utilities

F. Drainage and service duct Installation

G. Traffic signal junction upgrade

H. Fencing and Wall construction

I. Delivery of Temporary Traffic Management as part of associated civil works on a live trafficked Public Road network

J. Road Restraint Systems

K. Landscaping

L. Other associated ancillary works.

The Framework will comprise of eight area Lots (Works Orders valued £50k to £750k) and a Project Lot (Projects valued £750k to £5m) covering the following Contract Areas:

IPF N1 - Causeway Coast and Glens,

IPF N2 - Mid and East Antrim / Antrim and Newtownabbey,

IPF S1 - Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon,

IPF S2 - Newry, Mourne and Down / North Down and Ards,

IPF E1 - Belfast / Lisburn and Castlereagh,

IPF W1 - Mid Ulster,

IPF W2 - Derry and Strabane,

IPF W3 - Fermanagh and Omagh.

This Framework is part of a suite of eleven RAM Frameworks. 

PME was carried out as part of the Department for Infrastructure's Procurement Enhancement Programme (PEP) between June 2022 and January 2023.

Further details on the Procurement Strategy, the PME process and outcome, can be found at the link below.

Watercourse Maintenance Framework

DfI is inviting interested suppliers to participate in a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise for the upcoming Watercourse Maintenance Framework.   

This Framework will establish five Measured Term Contracts covering a range of watercourse maintenance activities throughout Northern Ireland over a four-year period. This will include watercourse and channel maintenance, riverbank and flood‑defence upkeep, vegetation and scrub clearance, tree removal, and associated labour and plant provision. Suppliers may also be required to undertake ancillary tasks such as the treatment of aquatic weeds and invasive species. 

Suppliers are invited to complete a short online questionnaire to help shape our proposed requirements and future procurement approach. The deadline for submission of responses is 23:59 on Friday 6 March 2026.

The Major Civil Engineering Works Framework will support the delivery of roads and civil engineering projects with an estimated value ranging from £5 million to £450 million.

DfI TRAM carried out a Pre‑Market Engagement (PME) exercise, initiated with the publication of a UK2 Notice on 7 May 2025. The purpose of the PME was to help shape the scope, structure, and overall approach for the new Framework, informing the development of the final Procurement Strategy.

Engagement activities included a PME questionnaire and presentations to key industry bodies.

The notice, questionnaire, industry briefing presentation and summary, and the final Procurement Strategy can be accessed at the link below.

Road Asset Management (RAM) Structures and Road Restraint Systems Frameworks

DfI TRAM hosted an online Pre-Market Engagement event to present proposals for the upcoming Road Asset Management Structures and Road Restraint Systems Frameworks.

The Structures Framework will comprise of three area lots and one project lot across Northern Ireland and is valued at up to £12m per annum

The Road Restraint Systems Framework will comprise of three area lots across Northern Ireland and is valued at up to £4m per annum.