Dfi TRAM Road Asset Management Road Restraint Systems Framework
Framework Description
The Road Restraint Systems (RRS) Framework is being procured by DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM), part of Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure. It is a four-year works framework for installing, repairing and renewing road restraint systems, with associated civil works, estimated to run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2030. Call-offs are expected to total about £22 million excluding VAT, rising to £27.5 million if call-off contracts are extended by up to 12 months.
Context & Use Case
TRAM manages Northern Ireland's road network and uses RRS works to keep safety barriers and associated structures in good condition. Smaller, recurring work goes through three area lots as work orders of up to £750,000. Larger schemes from £750,001 to £5 million are let through a project lot as NEC ECC contracts, covering all three regions.
Scope of Services
Area lots (three Northern Ireland regions): work orders up to £750,000 Project lot: NEC ECC projects from £750,001 to £5 million Road restraint systems installation and repair Demolition, earthworks, brickwork and structural concrete Inspection assistance Temporary traffic management on live roads
Lots
Yes: Three area lots for work orders up to £750k; Project lot for NEC ECC projects £750,001-£5m covering road restraint systems installation, repair, demolition, earthworks, brickwork, structural concrete, inspections and TTM across three Northern Ireland regions
Who Can Apply
Suits civil engineering contractors and specialist RRS installers able to work on Northern Ireland's live road network. The tender closed on 9 July 2026 and the framework has not yet started, so contractors who did not bid cannot join it. Bidders had to tender for the project lot and at least one area lot.
Buyer Benefits
TRAM gets contractors ready to deliver safety barrier work across its regions without tendering every job, while larger schemes still go to contractors with project-lot capability. Using NEC ECC for projects gives clear contractual control on bigger schemes. Buyers will look for safe working on live carriageways, competent traffic management and quality installation.
Next Steps
Check Find a Tender notice 043533-2026 and its later versions for the award outcome. If you bid, prepare to mobilise for a start around 1 November 2026, with area lot resources, traffic management and NEC ECC project capability ready. If you did not, gather RRS installation case studies, operative competence records and health and safety evidence for the next procurement.
How Athena Can Help
The RRS tender has closed, so Athena's help depends on where you stand. If you are appointed, our bid managers can write project lot mini-competition responses with win themes on safe working and traffic management, and check them for compliance before you submit. Our public sector tendering support includes rates and pricing models for area lot work orders that win and still cover plant and labour. To find other TRAM and roads frameworks you can still target, framework registration support can build your pipeline.
