The SWTRA Highways & Structures Framework 2027 is now open for tender, providing a major opportunity for civil engineering, highway maintenance and surfacing contractors working across South Wales.
Valued at approximately £486 million including VAT, the framework will support construction, maintenance and improvement works across the strategic road network. It comprises two lots covering highways and structures, and surfacing and ancillary works. The tender submission deadline is 12 noon on 18 December 2026, giving interested contractors a defined window to review the requirements and prepare their responses.
Thornton & Lowe helps infrastructure contractors develop competitive bids for highways and civil engineering tenders, from initial bid strategy and evidence planning through to technical writing and review.
SWTRA Highways & Structures Framework overview
The South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) manages and maintains strategic road infrastructure across South Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government. The new framework will provide a route for procuring a range of works across the road network, including civil engineering, structures maintenance, surfacing, traffic management and associated infrastructure improvements. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is leading the procurement, alongside Carmarthenshire County Council and Monmouthshire County Council.
Key details are:
- Framework reference: CPU26-27-01
- Estimated value: £405 million excluding VAT, or £486 million including VAT
- Lots: Two
- Maximum suppliers: Eight across the framework
- Initial term: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031
- Extension option: Up to two additional years, ending 31 March 2033
- Enquiry deadline: 4 December 2026, 12 noon
- Submission deadline: 18 December 2026, 12 noon
The procurement uses an open procedure and is suitable for SMEs that can meet the relevant participation and delivery requirements.
How is the framework divided?
Lot 1: Highways and structures
Lot 1 has an estimated value of £302.4 million including VAT and covers civil and structural engineering works across the strategic road network. The scope includes carriageway maintenance, structural renewals, bridge strengthening, active travel infrastructure, safety fencing, tunnel works and road safety improvements. It can also involve traffic management, depot improvements, environmental works, lighting schemes, mechanical and electrical works, communications and intelligent transport systems.
Contractors considering this lot should be able to demonstrate safe delivery in complex highways environments, including work involving live traffic, operational restrictions and coordination with multiple stakeholders.
Lot 2: Surfacing and ancillary works
Lot 2 is valued at approximately £183.6 million including VAT and focuses on road surfacing, pavement improvements and related maintenance activities. The scope includes pavement construction and repair, emergency works, traffic management, drainage, kerbing, footways, road markings, ironwork and site clearance.
Suppliers will need to consider their capacity to deliver both planned programmes and responsive works while maintaining safety, quality and road network availability.
Where will the works take place?
The framework covers the strategic road network and associated assets across South Wales, including Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Newport, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot, the Valleys, South West Wales and Swansea.
Contractors should assess their operational footprint carefully, particularly where works require specialist plant, traffic management resources, rapid response or access to local subcontractors. A credible delivery plan should show how resources can be mobilised and managed across the relevant geography without creating avoidable programme delays or disruption to road users.
What are the SWTRA tender evaluation criteria?
The published evaluation criteria allocate:
Evaluation area | Weighting |
|---|---|
Commercial / price | 60% |
Technical / quality | 30% |
Social value | 10% |
The commercial weighting is substantial, making pricing strategy a particularly important element of this procurement. However, bidders must also demonstrate the technical capacity to deliver the required works safely and effectively. A low price alone will not compensate for weak technical evidence or a failure to satisfy the conditions of participation.
The detailed requirements and scoring approach should be reviewed in the full tender documentation before preparing responses.
What should contractors focus on in their bids?
Demonstrate relevant highways experience
Use case studies from comparable road networks, structures or surfacing projects. The strongest examples should demonstrate the nature of the works, the operating environment, the challenges encountered and the measurable results achieved. Evidence from live highways schemes, complex maintenance programmes and projects requiring coordination with road users and other stakeholders will be particularly relevant.
Explain your approach to safety and traffic management
Safe delivery is essential when working on strategic road infrastructure. Bidders should clearly explain how they plan works, manage traffic, control site risks and respond to unexpected conditions. Relevant examples could cover traffic management arrangements, workforce competence, incident prevention, emergency response and coordination with the network operator.
Prepare a robust commercial submission
With price accounting for 60% of the evaluation, contractors need accurate and sustainable pricing supported by a sound understanding of the requirements. Review labour, plant, materials, subcontractor costs, mobilisation and programme assumptions carefully. Commercial competitiveness should be balanced against the ability to deliver the required service throughout the framework term.
Provide measurable social value commitments
Social value carries 10% of the evaluation. Contractors should develop commitments that are relevant to the works and the communities they serve. Opportunities may include local employment, apprenticeships, skills development, engagement with Welsh suppliers and environmental improvements. Commitments should be proportionate, practical and capable of being monitored.
Review capacity and supply chain arrangements
The framework's scale and geographical coverage make delivery capacity important. Consider whether your organisation has the appropriate workforce, specialist resources, subcontractor relationships and operational resilience to deliver the target lot. For larger or multidisciplinary projects, clearly defined responsibilities and supply chain controls can help demonstrate readiness.
How to apply
The procurement is being managed through eTenderWales under ITT reference itt_118645. Interested suppliers should review the tender documentation and confirm the participation requirements for their chosen lot. Tenderers must also register on the Central Digital Platform as part of the procurement process.
The enquiry deadline is 4 December 2026 at noon, and completed tenders must be submitted by 12 noon on 18 December 2026. The official procurement is available through Find a Tender notice 105488-2026.
Get support with your SWTRA framework bid
The SWTRA Highways & Structures Framework represents a substantial opportunity for contractors working across civil engineering, road maintenance, surfacing and associated infrastructure disciplines. With a limited number of supplier appointments and a 60% commercial weighting, a focused, well-evidenced and carefully priced submission will be essential.
Thornton & Lowe supports highways and infrastructure contractors with bid strategy, technical writing, response development and tender review. We can help you evaluate the opportunity, organise your evidence and prepare a compelling submission. Contact our bid writing specialists to discuss the SWTRA framework.
