ABP Civils Framework · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Associated British Ports

Framework agreement13 lotsWorksCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitable

Sectors: Construction & Civil Engineering (45) Delivery: Delivery location not published

Framework ceiling (notional)£102,000,000total for 13 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue

Submissions closed 12 Dec 2025

Lots 13see the lot list below

Framework period 5 yrsends 19 Apr 2031 · up to 20 Apr 2034 with extensions · starts 20 Apr 2026

What is being bought13 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

ABP is looking to appoint suitably qualified contractors to our new Civils Framework.

The ABP Civils Framework is designed to provide access to pre-qualified civil engineering contractors across the Humber, Southampton, South Wales and East Anglia. Its scope encompasses a wide range of low to mid value construction and maintenance works, structured to support both operational efficiency and Small to Medium size Enterprise (SME) participation.

This Framework was shaped through extensive Applicant engagement, including Q&A sessions, face-to-face meetings, and questionnaires to refine the Lotting structure and address barriers to participation.

How the procedure runs: The two-stage process is as described below: Stage 1 PSQ The Applicant is issued with a PSQ including instructions to Applicants, Requirements and a set of qualitative questions which are to demonstrate the Applicant’s: • Compliance • Financial Capability • Legal Capability • Health & Safety Approach • Quality Approach • Supply Chain Approach • Quality Approach • Technical Capability and Experience Completed PSQ should be submitted strictly in accordance with the instructions to Applicants described within the PSQ document and received by ABP no later than 12/12/2025 at 12:00 GMT. For the avoidance of doubt, the Applicants are required to submit all documents requested to be included in all sections of the PSQ Response Document attached in Appendix 04 – PSQ Response Document to enable their PSQ submissions to be fully evaluated against the evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria are also provided within the PSQ Response Document. Stage 2 – Invitation to Tender (ITT) Following the conclusion of Stage 1 PSQ, down – selected Applicants will be invited to participate in the second stage of the process. Stage 2 will comprise the issuing of the ITT to the successful down-selected applicants for each geographical Lot and sub Lot. Clear objectives and evaluation criteria aligned to strategic goals will be included in the tender documents, inviting Applicants to demonstrate how their proposals will deliver broader organisational benefits. Following this stage, ABP will award Contract/s based on the Most Advantageous Tender, based on the evaluation criteria.

CPV: Building completion work · Building installation work · Construction work · Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator · Resurfacing works · Site preparation work · Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

How this framework works

From the published notice

Type: Closed framework
Call-offs: call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Framework period: 5 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 20 Apr 2026

Published description of the framework

ABP will have the option to call-off contracts or engage in mini-competitions under the Framework Agreement with individual Applicants as and when services are required. Please note however that there is no obligation for ABP to call off from the Framework Agreement (i.e. ABP may appoint work to parties outside of the Framework Agreement if necessary).

Lots 1A, 3A, 4A & 1C, 3C & 4C

For Lots 1A, 3A, 4A & 1C, 3C & 4C, any work awarded will use the NEC4 Term Service Contract and individual Task Orders will be issued accordingly by the Service Manager to instruct specific items of work within the scope of the contract. The schedule of rates submitted at tender stage will be used as the basis for pricing all Task Orders.

Lots 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B & Lot 5

For Lots 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B & Lot 5, work will be awarded in two ways; firstly, the results of a mini-competition with either price or price/quality being the assessment criteria. This will be defined during the publication of each individual request for quotation (Call off contract); or secondly, through a direct award. ABP reserves the right to make an award to any Contractor it feels will provide the required works most effectively.

Work will be awarded through the framework using Work Orders (in line with the NEC4 Framework Contract). Each Work Order will be accompanied by an NEC4 Engineering & Construction Contract signed as a deed for Lots 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B & Lot 5.

Lot 2A

For Lot 2A, the work awarded will use the JCT Measured Term Contract. Each call-off will be instructed by the Employer under the agreed schedule of rates, ensuring transparency and consistency in pricing. This approach provides flexibility for recurring tasks while maintaining contractual certainty and compliance with JCT terms.

Call of Procedures

ABP ultimately reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to utilise any of the following call-off procedures under the framework agreement, this applies to all Lots:

Mini-Competition

A competitive process where all eligible Applicants on the Lot are invited to submit bids for a specific requirement. Evaluation is based on the criteria set out in the mini-competition documentation.

Direct Award Procedure

ABP may award a contract directly to a Applicant without further competition. This is typically used where there is an urgent requirement or a clear best-fit Applicant.