Official UK procurement notice
Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)
Authority: Department for Transport (Central government)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionIn line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”).
DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027).
The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects.
The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management.
Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement.
The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail.
The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as “Clients”. These “Clients” are detailed in the “Contracting authorities that may use the framework” section below. In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.
- How the procedure runs: The procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The Authority will undertake an initial selection stage using a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). The PSQ Response will be assessed in accordance with the selection criteria set out in the Procurement Documents. A maximum of 108 participants will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. The Authority will not undertake negotiations with Tenderers and does not intend to refine the award criteria following publication of the Procurement Documents. Tenders will be evaluated and the Framework Agreement awarded in accordance with the Procurement Documents. The Procurement Documents set out the procurement procedure in full, including the selection process, award criteria and evaluation methodology. Interested parties should therefore read all Procurement Documents carefully to ensure they understand the procurement procedure and the Authority's requirements.
CPV: Business development consultancy services · Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs · Civil engineering consultancy services · Consultative engineering and construction services · Design and execution of research and development · Development consultancy services · Draft plans (systems and integration) · Economic impact assessment · Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction · Environmental indicators analysis for construction · Environmental monitoring for construction · Environmental standards for construction · +21 more
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 72 suppliers
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 31 Jul 2027
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
0.75% of call-off value · A Management Charge will be payable by the Consultant awarded a Package Order (as defined in the STARFour Framework) for services to a Client other than DfT. The Management Charge is calculated by reference to the total anticipated Package Order Award Value (including the value of any extension options), subject to the maximum charges as set out below.
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of less than £1 million a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £1 million to £9,999,999 a 0.60% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £7,500
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £10 million or more a 0.50% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £10,000
LOT 2 - Package Order Award Value of more than £100,000 a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500
No management charge is payable in respect of Package Orders for services to be provided to DfT.
Clause 16 of the Framework Agreement details the Management Charge procedure.
Who may buy through it
See attachment - Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework
Published description of the framework
Contracts awarded under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either:
Direct Award, where the conditions set out in the Framework Agreement Schedule 10 (Call Off Procedure) are satisfied; or
a competitive selection process between the Framework Suppliers appointed to the relevant Lot and Category, undertaken in accordance with the Framework Agreement.
The Authority will determine the appropriate award method based on the nature of the requirement and the provisions of the Framework Agreement.
Prices for individual contracts will be determined either by applying the Framework Supplier's framework rates or through pricing submitted as part of a competitive selection process. Individual contracts may be awarded on the basis of fixed price, time and materials, or another pricing mechanism as specified in the contract documents.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Specialist Technical and Commercial AdviceRenewalPublished value£342,500,000
Lot 1 provides specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport modes. Lot 1 will be sub-divided into eleven (11) Sub-Lots, across five (5) categories. The eleven (11) Sub-Lots will be awarded based on whether an Applicant is successful to the PRIME Grade (one (1) Sub-Lot) or to the MEDIUM and EXPERT Grade (five (5) Sub-Lots for each Category per Grade). Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details.
Lot 1 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require technical, commercial, operational, strategic, infrastructure, and programme delivery advice to support transport policy development, investment decision-making, and delivery.
The Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot.
Lot values may be shared across the Lots.
Categories within Lot 1:
Category A – Transport Strategy, Planning and Economic Forecasting Advice
Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to:
General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting advice
General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.
Strategic corporate planning and appraisal
Business case support
Benefits realisation support
Monitoring and evaluation
Control and investment period advice and analysis
Strategic planning and research
Transport market reviews
High level general transport investment strategy support
Macro and micro-economic advice
Remapping and devolution studies
Fare reviews and policy
Ticketless travel and ticket retailing
Revenue protection
Modelling – revenue forecasting, fares and demand
Package-specific bid evaluation support
AI strategy development in transport
Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.
Category B – Transport Operations and Performance Advice
Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to:
General transport operations, performance and customer service advice
General transport operations, performance and customer service research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.
Operational proposal package
Operational management
Timetabling, diagramming, rostering
Staffing policy/strategy
Industrial relations/Trade Unions/TUPE/pensions
General transport operational interfaces
Management and business structure
Operational mobilisation
Operational safety
Modal and inter-modal integration, interfaces and connectivity
Passenger communication
Passenger connectivity
Service quality/customer service
Passenger flow monitoring
Cycle and walking advice
Accessibility
Package-specific bid evaluation support
Environment, sustainability, carbon, and social value.
Category C – Commercial Advice for Transport
Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to:
General commercial advice for transport
Commercial advice for transport research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.
Commercial risk analysis, adjustment, and profiling
Model structuring and development
Revenue and incentivisation commercial advice
Comparator and should cost modelling and associated business case support
Commercial strategy development, delivery and assurance
Contract administration and contract management
Estimating, cost planning, cost data analysis and benchmarking
Quantitative cost risk analysis including Monte Carlo analysis
Package-specific bid evaluation support
Business and commercial model design
Model analysis and testing of commercial models
Supply chain mapping
Commercial due diligence
Project management commercial advice
Procurement process management
Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.
Category D – Transport Infrastructure and Asset Advice
Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to:
Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and general transport asset management and advice
Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and assets research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection.
Transport infrastructure predictive and preventative strategic support and advice
Transport hub design, layout, logistics, passenger & pedestrian movement and facilities
Stations - including access, property, parking, mobility and security
Airports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security
Ports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security
Depots and stabling - strategy and advice
Signaling and systems - strategy and advice
Rolling stock - strategy and advice
Rolling stock - management, acceptan…
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Please refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), Section 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.
Lot #2Rail and Other Transport System Agency AdviceRenewalPublished value£7,500,000
Lot 2 provides Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice.
Lot 2 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require interim general transport advisors, high calibre panel and review team resources and development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies.
Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details.
This Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot.
Lot values may be shared across the Lots.
Category F – Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice
Typical requirements include, but are not limited to:
Sourcing interim general transport advisors
Sourcing high calibre panel and review team resources.
Development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Please refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), Section 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Technical: 65%
- Commercial: 25%
- Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Technical
- Commercial
- Social Value
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Please refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), Section 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.
- Price carries 25 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 72 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- See attachment - Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 24 Dec 2025, 13:38 GMT
- Last source update
- 1 Sept 2026, 16:44 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 31 May 2027
- Authority reference
FOUR0000- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-072876- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure.
The Authority will undertake an initial selection stage using a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). The PSQ Response will be assessed in accordance with the selection criteria set out in the Procurement Documents. A maximum of 108 participants will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage.
The Authority will not undertake negotiations with Tenderers and does not intend to refine the award criteria following publication of the Procurement Documents.
Tenders will be evaluated and the Framework Agreement awarded in accordance with the Procurement Documents. The Procurement Documents set out the procurement procedure in full, including the selection process, award criteria and evaluation methodology. Interested parties should therefore read all Procurement Documents carefully to ensure they understand the procurement procedure and the Authority's requirements.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 14 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
- Appointment period ends
- 14 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 21 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 0.75% of call-off value · A Management Charge will be payable by the Consultant awarded a Package Order (as defined in the STARFour Framework) for services to a Client other than DfT. The Management Charge is calculated by reference to the total anticipated Package Order Award Value (including the value of any extension options), subject to the maximum charges as set out below.
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of less than £1 million a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £1 million to £9,999,999 a 0.60% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £7,500
LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £10 million or more a 0.50% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £10,000
LOT 2 - Package Order Award Value of more than £100,000 a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500
No management charge is payable in respect of Package Orders for services to be provided to DfT.
Clause 16 of the Framework Agreement details the Management Charge procedure.
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, you must complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire by 12:00 BST on 14 September 2026 via the Jaggaer online portal using the following link:
dft.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/login.do ↗
Email responses will not be accepted. All queries relating to this notice should be made via the messaging function in Jaggaer.
If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: dft.app.jaggaer.com ↗
Any queries relating to registering will need to be directed to the e-Sourcing Helpdesk on the above link.
Timeline
24 Dec 2025 → 31 Jul 2027 · 9 dates- Planning notice published305 days ago24 Dec 2025, 13:38 GMT
- Market engagement270 days ago28 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
The Department for Transport is launching preliminary market engagement for the STARFour Framework. Alongside this notice, we have shared the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List for your review.
A short video briefing has also been prepared, providing background on the STARFour Framework and outlining its scope and objectives. This can be accessed using this link: tinyurl.com/STARFourFramework ↗
We are keen to gather views on the proposed scope and overall structure of STARFour and welcome your feedback to help shape our approach. Please share your views by completing the survey using the following link: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOUR0000MarketSoun… ↗
We kindly ask that responses are submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
In order to access the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List, please use the Jaggaer online portal using the following link:
dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/77730479019BA2F83148 ↗
If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: dft.app.jaggaer.com ↗
Thank you for your engagement. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
- Tender notice published86 days ago31 Jul 2026, 16:14 BST
- Next notice expected86 days ago31 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by65 days ago21 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
- Latest notice published54 days ago1 Sept 2026, 16:44 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends41 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown14 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today25 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 218 days31 May 2027, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 278 days31 Jul 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
13 events · 11 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Dec 2025- Pipeline notice published24 Dec 2025, 13:38 GMTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published9 Jan 2026, 14:32 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published30 Apr 2026, 16:53 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published3 Jun 2026, 10:15 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published2 Jul 2026, 16:08 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published2 Jul 2026, 16:31 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published13 Jul 2026, 13:51 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published31 Jul 2026, 16:14 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active31 Jul 2026, 16:14 BST
- Procurement method changed31 Jul 2026, 16:14 BST
- Tender notice published31 Jul 2026, 16:28 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published31 Jul 2026, 16:32 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published1 Sept 2026, 16:44 BSTUK4
Published amendments (8)
The publication date for the STARFour tender/transparency notice will be later than the estimate set out in the UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement notice (published on 9 January 2026). The original date of 8 May 2026 was indicative and subject to internal approvals. All future updates will be communicated through the Jaggaer esourcing portal and Find a Tender service, so please continue to monitor …
The publication date for the STARFour tender/transparency notice has been updated. The original date was indicative and subject to internal approvals. All future updates will be communicated through the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and Find a Tender service, so please continue to monitor these channels for any updates on the STARFour procurement.
The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been revised. The Preferred Supplier Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication during the week commencing 20 July 2026. Please note that these dates are indicative and remain subject to internal approvals. Any further updates will be communicated via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and the Find a Tender service, so we advis…
The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been revised. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication during the week commencing 20 July 2026. Please note that these dates are indicative and remain subject to internal approvals. Any further updates will be communicated via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and the Find a Tender service, so we adv…
The DfT appreciates your continued patience and cooperation as the project team goes through its internal governance process in order to commence the formal procurement process. The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been further revised. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication at the end of July 2026. Please note that this date is …
Routine re-releases (11)
- 2026-07: 4 releases · 2 Jul 2026, 31 Jul 2026
- 2026-06: 1 release · 3 Jun 2026
- 2026-04: 1 release · 30 Apr 2026
- 2026-01: 1 release · 9 Jan 2026
- 2025-12: 1 release · 24 Dec 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Show 3 more notices
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender