Decision details

On the 13th August 2025, as part of an Open Tender procurement process, invitation to tender (ITT) documents were uploaded on ProContract for the Engineers Consultancy Framework, which will run from 2025 to 2029.

The new framework will comprise of 5 Lots as follows:

• Lot 1 – Highway/ Park and Ride/ Interchange
• Lot 2 – Light Rail
• Lot 3 – Heavy Rail
• Lot 4 – Facilities Management and Sustainability
• Lot 5 – Strategy and Policy

Tenders were received on Wednesday 2nd October in the prescribed manner as instructed on the ITT documentation. A total of 17 companies submitted bids in total, with most going for more than one Lot. 9 companies opted to apply for Lots 1, 3 and 4 and 8 companies opted for Lots 2 & 4.

The estimated contract value of each Lot over the 4-year period is as follows:

• Lot 1 - £2,000,000
• Lot 2 - £5,000,000
• Lot 3 - £500,000
• Lot 4 - £750,000
• Lot 5 - £750,000

The basis for selection of the Engineering Consultants for all 5 Lots involved an evaluation based on 70% quality and 30% price.

Tenderers were required to pass the standards set for technical and professional ability and economic and financial standing. They also needed to achieve a minimum quality mark of 60, to continue the evaluation process to factor in the tender price. Representatives from Projects Delivery, Rail and Tram teams were involved in the evaluation process. Overall, the quality of the submissions was excellent, and the final selections for each Lot were decided by very small margins.

Two tenderers (All Lot 4) failed to meet the minimum quality threshold of 60.

A key difference with the new framework compared to the existing
framework will be the ability to award directly to the highest scoring
provider in each lot for call-offs estimated at below £50,000. The previous threshold was £25,000. It should be noted that this is not a guaranteed route and SYMCA has reserved the right to hold mini competitions between all the providers on a lot.

The published ITT documents stated that SYMCA would like to appoint a maximum of 4 consultants in each of Lot. The outcomes of the evaluation process are set out below:

Lot 1 – Highway/ Park and Ride/ Interchange

Table included on PDF document.

Lot 2 – Light Rail

Table included on PDF document.

Lot 3 – Heavy Rail

Table included on PDF document.

Lot 4 – Facilities Management and Sustainability

Table included on PDF document.

Lot 5 – Strategy and Policy

Table included on PDF document.

SYMCA is not bound to use the framework for appointments. The approval requested by this report has no financial implications on its own. Approval to make appointments using this framework will be sought in line with the requirements of SYMCA Contract Procedures.

To approve the appointment of the following Consultants to the Engineering Framework Contract (2024 – 2028) for Lot’s 1 to 5 as detailed below:

Lot 1 – Highway/ Park and Ride/ Interchange

1. Pell Frischmann Consultants Ltd.
2. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.
3. Sable Leigh Consultancy Ltd
4. Mott MacDonald Ltd.


Lot 2 – Light Rail

1. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.
2. Pell Frischmann Consultants Ltd.
3. Mott MacDonald Ltd.
4. WSP UK Limited.

Lot 3 – Heavy Rail

1. Pell Frischmann Consultants Ltd.
2. Sable Leigh Consultancy Ltd
3. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.
4. Baker Hicks Limited.

Lot 4 – Facilities Management and Sustainability

1. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.
2. Pell Frischmann Consultants Ltd.
3. Sable Leigh Consultancy Ltd
4. Mott MacDonald Ltd.

Lot 5 – Strategy and Policy

1. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.
2. Pell Frischmann Consultants ltd.
3. Mott MacDonald Ltd.
4. Steer Davies Gleeve.

Accept the recommendations of this report and appoint four engineering consultants to each Lot of the framework.

Reject the recommendations of this report. This will lead to a long and laborious procurement process every time we wish to appoint an engineering consultant.