The Environment Agency’s Collaborative Delivery Framework 2 is now live, giving suppliers a new route into long-term flood and environmental infrastructure work across England. The framework covers appraisal, design, technical support and construction across flood and coastal risk management, navigation, water, land and biodiversity assets, making it relevant to contractors, consultants and specialist delivery partners alike.
With the tender notice now published and the deadline set for 27 April 2026, suppliers need to move quickly to assess where they fit, which lots match their strengths, and how they want to position themselves for the opportunity. For businesses already active in public sector infrastructure, CDF2 is likely to be one of the most important framework competitions currently in play.
What is the Environment Agency’s Collaborative Delivery Framework 2?
The Environment Agency’s Collaborative Delivery Framework 2, usually shortened to CDF2, is a major public sector framework designed to support the delivery of flood and environmental infrastructure programmes over the long term. It brings together a wide range of services, including appraisal, design, technical support and construction, across assets linked to flood and coastal risk management, navigation, water, land and biodiversity.
In practice, that means CDF2 is not aimed at one narrow supplier type. It is relevant to:
- civil engineering contractors
- design consultants
- environmental specialists
- other delivery partners that can contribute to the planning, development and delivery of complex infrastructure projects
One of the more distinctive aspects of CDF2 is that it covers both nature-based solutions and more traditional hard engineering, reflecting the wider direction of travel in resilience and environmental delivery.
CDF2 is a substantial long-term opportunity, with a total estimated value of up to £5 billion excluding VAT, and it is expected to run from 18 February 2027 to 19 February 2035. It is split across technical and regional sub-lots, giving suppliers different ways to approach the framework depending on their capabilities, scale and preferred areas of delivery.
For suppliers, that matters because CDF2 is not simply one bid for one contract. It is a route into a wider pipeline of Environment Agency work over several years. Decisions made at the outset, around lot selection, regional fit and delivery model, are likely to shape how competitive a business is throughout the process.
Details suppliers should know about CDF2
Procedure
CDF2 is being run as a Competitive Flexible Procedure, with suppliers now working to a 27 April 2026, 10:00am deadline. That means the Environment Agency has more flexibility to shape the procurement process around the opportunity itself, rather than following a more rigid standard route. For bidders, that usually means paying close attention to how each stage is structured and what is being tested at each point.
The process includes:
- Conditions of Participation
- a main tender stage covering technical, social value and commercial assessment
- behavioural assessments
- optional pre-award meetings
The assessment weighting is also worth noting. Responses are being scored on 50% technical, 30% commercial and 20% social value, which reinforces the importance of presenting a well-rounded submission rather than relying on technical capability alone.
Structure
The opportunity is structured around three technical lots, with sub-lots aligned to three geographic hubs. The notice also states a maximum of 16 suppliers, underlining the level of competition likely to surround the opportunity. The lots are:
-
Lot 1: strategy, appraisal and design services
-
Lot 2: detailed design services and construction works for projects under approximately £5 million
-
Lot 3: detailed design services and construction works for projects from approximately £5 million to £150 million
The framework’s geographic hubs are:
-
North Hub
-
Midlands and Southwest Hub
-
East and Southeast Hub
Taken together, the lot and regional model makes CDF2 a framework where selectivity is likely to be more effective than trying to pursue every available route in. For full procurement details, suppliers should review the official tender notice alongside the supporting documentation.
Why this matters for suppliers now
CDF2 stands out because it brings a major Environment Agency opportunity to market at a time when flood resilience and environmental infrastructure are receiving renewed investment and policy attention. In March 2026, the UK government announced £1.4 billion in flood investment, including £830 million for 2026/27 schemes, reinforcing the scale of planned delivery in this area.
For suppliers already working in these areas, this is the kind of framework that can influence bidding priorities, partner decisions and business development plans well before submission.
It also increases the importance of preparation. Frameworks linked to flood resilience, environmental assets and major infrastructure are often looking for more than technical competence alone. The stronger submissions will need to show clear planning, credible resourcing, an understanding of collaborative delivery, and evidence that the bidder can operate confidently in a complex public sector environment.
Buyers are often looking for confidence in delivery planning, collaboration, sustainability, stakeholder management, health and safety, supply chain control and long-term value. That places added pressure on suppliers to present a well-rounded case.
Thornton & Lowe’s experience supporting clients with construction tenders is especially relevant in opportunities like this, where quality responses often carry real weight alongside commercial considerations.
What suppliers should be doing before the deadline
At this stage, suppliers should be moving from initial interest into practical preparation. Once a business has assessed the opportunity against clear bid or no-bid criteria and decided that CDF2 is worth pursuing, the focus should shift to understanding the documents in detail, identifying any weaknesses in the bid approach, and getting the right people involved early.
A good starting point is to review the framework documents in detail and map out exactly what will be needed at each stage. That includes clarifying submission requirements, assessing likely response themes, and identifying any areas where more internal input or supporting evidence will be needed.
It is also worth using this stage to test the quality of the supporting evidence available. Buyers will want to see credible examples, not general claims, so suppliers should be identifying the strongest case studies, delivery outcomes and proof points early. Gaps in evidence, capability or partnership coverage are usually easier to address now than later in the process.
Where collaboration is likely to be part of the bidding strategy, those conversations should be happening as early as possible. Whether that means formal partnering, specialist support or strengthening the wider supply chain, bidders are generally in a better position when roles, responsibilities and contribution areas are clear well before submission.
This is also a sensible point to review how the bid will be managed internally. Framework opportunities can place pressure on timescales, resource and coordination, particularly where multiple workstreams need to come together into a coherent response. A structured approach to planning, ownership and review can make a significant difference to the quality of the final submission.
How Thornton & Lowe can support your CDF2 bid
For suppliers planning to pursue CDF2, early support can make a real difference. On a framework like this, the challenge is not only producing a compliant response, but shaping a submission that is well organised, well evidenced and aligned with what the buyer is likely to expect.
Thornton & Lowe supports clients across public sector bidding, including complex framework opportunities in construction and infrastructure. For businesses bidding for Collaborative Delivery Framework 2, we can help with:
-
framework fit and bid or no-bid decisions
-
lot and regional positioning
-
response planning and win themes
-
drafting and reviewing quality submissions
-
strengthening evidence, case studies and social value responses
-
broader framework strategy and post-award planning
Where internal resource is stretched, support can also help bring structure to the process. That may mean clarifying responsibilities, coordinating inputs, strengthening draft answers or providing an independent review before submission. On opportunities where quality carries significant weight, that kind of oversight can be valuable in turning existing experience into a more persuasive bid.
Our work supporting suppliers on construction frameworks is particularly useful where submissions need to balance technical depth, compliance and a clear commercial narrative. We also help clients think beyond framework entry alone, since winning a place is only part of the picture. Suppliers still need a plan for turning framework access into real contract wins.
Planning your approach to CDF2
Collaborative Delivery Framework 2 is likely to be a significant opportunity for suppliers involved in environmental infrastructure, engineering and public sector construction. For businesses that want to compete effectively, early preparation will matter, not only in shaping the submission itself, but in making sure the overall bid approach is realistic, well evidenced and properly planned.
Our experience with framework agreements and public sector bidding helps clients plan both to secure a place on the framework and to turn that access into real contract opportunities. If you would like to discuss your approach to CDF2, our team can provide expert bid writing and bid review services. To speak to us about your bid, contact us.
