The London Borough of Croydon is undertaking market engagement before beginning procurement for its new £240m term maintenance contract expected to kick off in the first quarter of 2027.
Despite the deal being listed at £240m, the council said: 'Croydon continues to operate within a financially constrained environment following previous Section 114 notices and remains subject to oversight by the Government's Improvement and Assurance Panel.
'Highways maintenance is, however, a statutory service and will continue to be funded through approved revenue and capital programmes. The future contract is expected to be procured as a zero-value contract in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulations 2023, with works instructed through approved programmes.
The council is yet to determine the final delivery model, structure or procurement route. A range of potential approaches is under consideration it said, 'including contract packaging, NEC4 contract options, revenue maintenance pricing models, performance management arrangements, digital delivery requirements and sustainability and social value outcomes'.
To support the decision process, it has issued a market engagement questionnaire, which it hopes will help it deliver a ‘competitive and compliant procurement approach'.
The council also said that it was particularly interested in responses from companies with experience in delivering term maintenance services within both London and the Southeast.
Whilst the dates are not confirmed, the contract is currently expected to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2037, with a possible extension of two years, bringing the end date to 30 March 2039.
The deadline to engage with the council is 2 February, with the tender expected to be published by 14 April 2026.
More information on the questionnaire, the contract and how to respond can be found here.
