Becoming a supplier

The type of the work undertaken by our supply chain is extremely diverse. It ranges from investment planning, through the life-cycle of solution design and construction, into operating and maintaining the network and beyond into post-project evaluation and customer service management. We also procure ancillary services such as organisational change, commercial management, marketing services, insurance advice, facilities management and IT services.

Benefits of working with National Highways

A government backed, five-year funding cycle provides confidence and visibility of a long-term programme of work. Funding certainty means we are able to work closely with suppliers to innovate and develop new approaches to create added value for our business and road users.

We engage regularly with suppliers to:

• consult on new initiatives
• explore market opportunities
• share expertise and network
• develop capacity and capability across the infrastructure sector

We follow fair and prompt payment initiatives that incorporate the use of Project Bank Accounts (PBA). Suppliers working on projects that use PBAs are assured prompt payment as they do not have to wait for higher-tier contractors to process their payment; instead they receive it directly through a ring-fenced bank account specific to the project they are working on.

What we expect from our suppliers

Performance is measured through a standard framework and suppliers are expected to:

• work collaboratively with us, our stakeholders and other suppliers.
• deliver on time and to cost, demonstrating year-on-year efficiency.
• drive innovation and Lean ways of working
• align with National Highways’ imperatives, goals and values; focusing on achieving customer satisfaction in terms of safe roads, reliable journeys and informed travellers
• maintain our positive reputation and high standards
• be transparent and vigilant in relation to fraud and conflict of interest in their business and extended supply chain
• provide a fair and equal workplace, and fight bullying and discrimination
• work together across the extended supply chain to prevent modern slavery
• manage and deliver against all aspects of the contract, adhering to all appropriate legislation, including data protection obligations and prompt payment initiatives.
• support environmental priorities around consumption, production and sustainable communities.
• highlight and share best practice across the business and with our extended supply chain.
• employ fully qualified and registered operatives with relevant NHSS certification and registration/skills cards.

Procurement at National Highways

Most procurement comes through framework contracts, or indirectly through major schemes and maintenance arrangements. View our current and future projects, including published pipeline in your areas. 

We use National Highways eSourcing Portal as our e-tendering system, registering on this portal will enable you to search for opportunities/tenders and on Contracts Finder.

Registering is easy and gives suppliers instant access to critical notifications, policy changes, and business opportunities.

For larger contracts, notices are also published on the UK Government Find a Tender website.

National Highways suppliers procure work throughout the life of their contracts or frameworks and opportunities with them can be identified in a number of ways, such as:

• websites where tender opportunities are published including Competefor.com which is supported by the government
• contacting the supplier directly once identified, either at company or project level

Supplier Development

Supplier capability is at the heart of our collective success in closing Road Period 2 (RP2) and will be critical in delivery during ring RP3.   As National Highway's we seek to strengthen engagement, collaboration and strategic capability-building across our supply chain.

Through initiatives like the Engagement Council, Collaboration Board, and our Supplier Development System (SDS), we align capability-building with evolving business priorities to drive performance and prepare for future work programmes.  

Supplier Development System (SDS)

We’ve refreshed our Supplier Development System, it’s a free and easy to access development system that is open to all suppliers providing free e-learning modules, videos, and development tools.

It can be tailored and used to suit your own current level of maturity and is fully scalable depending on the size and nature of your business and the resources you have available.

Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

National Highways is working to support government targets around increasing opportunities for SMEs, and requires its directly employed suppliers to contract at least 25% of their work to SMEs.  The Supplier Development System provides useful  tools and resource for SME’s to build knowledge and capability..

Contract awareness

We use standardised model contracts that provide uniformity across our procurement activity.

Together with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, we've developed training and guidance on our contract models for suppliers working in the sector.

You can find them all on the Supply Chain Sustainability School - National Highways contract awareness website.

Please contact the Supply Chain Team for further information or with any queries: SCD@nationalhighways.co.uk

Further information

National Highway Sector Schemes (NHSS) for contractors and subcontractors

Skills card and registration requirements for suppliers