NY Highways Limited is preparing to launch a major Civil Engineering Contractors Framework (CECF), with the formal tender notice expected on 5 January 2026. The framework will run for four years, between 2026 and 2030, offering opportunities to deliver a wide range of highways and civil engineering works across Yorkshire and the Humber.
This article explains:
- Who NY Highways Limited are
- What the CECF framework will cover
- How it’s procured and why market engagement matters
- Practical steps to prepare your business
- How Thornton & Lowe can help you position yourself to win
About NY Highways Limited
NY Highways Limited is a commercial company established to deliver highways and infrastructure services for North Yorkshire and surrounding areas. It combines a commercial focus with public‑sector values, delivering highways maintenance, road improvement programmes, drainage and related services across a network of more than 5,800 miles of roads.
The company works closely with North Yorkshire Council, acting as its highways delivery partner and using procurement frameworks to appoint specialist contractors for civil engineering and construction works.
What the CECF Framework Covers
The Civil Engineering Contractors Framework (CECF) 2026‑2030 is intended to appoint a panel of suppliers capable of delivering a broad range of civil engineering and highways projects. The tender notice outlines that works will predominantly take place on bridges and the highway network, but may also include related activities, such as:
- Resurfacing and reconstruction
- Slurry sealing and kerbing
- Drainage works
- Repairs to bridges, culverts and retaining walls
- Works under Highways Act Section 38 and Section 278
- Other related civil engineering activities
The framework is expected to be used to award contracts for works across Yorkshire and the Humber (UKE), reflecting NY Highways’ operating region.
Understanding the Procurement Context
Preliminary Market Engagement
Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracting authorities may conduct preliminary market engagement before releasing a formal tender notice. This helps shape procurement timelines, key performance indicators (KPIs), insurance requirements, quality standards and other commercial criteria, without giving any supplier an unfair advantage.
NY Highways issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market feedback on lotting proposals, insurance levels, social value, KPIs, timelines and ISO9001 requirements. That engagement helped finalise the tender timetable and commercial parameters ahead of publication.
Open Competitive Procedure
The Find a Tender notice makes clear that when the formal tender is published, suppliers will be invited to submit full bids under an open competitive procedure. This means that any qualified supplier can participate and there will be no pre‑qualification stage.
This approach works well when authorities want a wide field of bidders and a straightforward technical specification that doesn’t require lengthy pre‑shortlisting processes.
Want to win a place on CECF?
Contact us todayWhy Early Engagement and Planning Are Important
Even though the formal tender won’t be published until early 2026, the preparatory phase is crucial. Here’s why.
1. Public Sector Procurement Is Structured and Fair
Frameworks and contracts like CECF are governed by strict rules to ensure transparency, fairness and value for money. Once published, tender documentation will contain standard elements such as evaluation criteria, insurance levels, compliance requirements and performance standards. These take time to understand and respond to.
Understanding the regulatory environment, including how the Procurement Act 2023 shapes market engagement and tendering, gives you a strategic advantage.
2. High-Value Frameworks Reward Preparedness
Civil engineering and highways frameworks are complex and highly competitive. Contracts are often awarded to suppliers who can demonstrate:
- Robust delivery methods
- Strong health and safety systems
- Quality management processes
- Solid commercial pricing
- Social value commitments
Building evidence for these in advance, instead of during the tender period, significantly improves your chances of scoring well.
3. Early Planning Reduces Risk
Once a tender notice is live, deadlines can be tight. Preparing now means you avoid last‑minute rushes and errors. It also allows time to:
- Assemble technical case studies
- Compile compliance documents
- Test delivery models
- Plan pricing strategy
Practical Steps to Prepare
Here’s how contractors can get ready before the tender opens:
Build a Bid Library
Start documenting your processes, compliance certificates, case studies and health and safety records. This makes your bid faster to produce and stronger in quality.
Clarify Your Offer
Understand which types of works you’re best placed to deliver under this framework (for example, bridges, drainage, kerbing or road improvement works) and tailor your technical evidence accordingly.
Assess Your Quality Management
ISO9001 is often a key requirement for quality assurance frameworks, so ensure your systems and certificates are current and demonstrable.
Plan Your Pricing Strategy
Highways frameworks often require clear, transparent pricing models that reflect cost drivers and risk allocations.
How Thornton & Lowe Can Help
At Thornton & Lowe, we specialise in helping suppliers plan and win competitive public sector tenders, including frameworks like CECF.
We offer:
- Bid writing services: We craft compliant, compelling bid responses that align with tender criteria and score highly with evaluators.
- Bid strategy and planning: We help you map your capabilities to the authority’s requirements and build a structured approach that enhances your competitiveness.
- Bid training: If you want to strengthen your internal bid writing skills, our bid writing training is designed to equip teams with practical expertise.
- Bid templates and compliance support: Ready‑built templates, compliance checklists and evidence frameworks accelerate your response and improve consistency.
What Suppliers Should Do Now
This framework represents a significant opportunity for civil engineering and highways contractors operating in Yorkshire and the Humber. Although the tender won’t be published until January 2026, now is the ideal time to:
- Register on relevant e‑procurement portals (e.g., YORtender)
- Prepare your quality and compliance documentation
- Build technical case studies
- Clarify delivery and pricing models
- Seek expert bid support to maximise your chances of success
Get Expert Support
Don’t wait until the notice goes live. Early planning and expert bid preparation can make the difference between winning and missing out.
Call Thornton & Lowe now on 01204 238 046, or contact us online to start your bid readiness consultation.
