Road Asset Management (RAM) Improvement Projects Framework
Framework Description
DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) is preparing the Road Asset Management (RAM) Improvement Projects Framework (reference T-1157), a works framework for road improvement schemes across Northern Ireland. It is part of the Department for Infrastructure's Procurement Enhancement Programme for road maintenance and improvement. The preliminary market engagement notice describes a four-year framework with eight area lots and a separate Project Lot for larger schemes.
Context & Use Case
TRAM will use the framework for improvement schemes on the live public road network. Area lots take works orders from £50,000 to £750,000 within each contract area, and the Project Lot takes schemes from £750,000 to £5 million. Typical schemes combine earthworks, surfacing, footways and cycleways, drainage and ducting, signal junction upgrades and temporary traffic management.
Scope of Services
Eight area lots covering all of Northern Ireland's council areas Project Lot for schemes from £750,000 to £5 million Earthworks, pavement construction and surfacing Cycleway and footway construction and refurbishment Drainage, service ducts and work with utilities Traffic signal junction upgrades and road restraint systems Fencing, walls, landscaping and temporary traffic management
Lots
Eight area lots (works orders £50k to £750k): IPF N1 Causeway Coast and Glens; IPF N2 Mid and East Antrim / Antrim and Newtownabbey; IPF S1 Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon; IPF S2 Newry, Mourne and Down / North Down and Ards; IPF E1 Belfast / Lisburn and Castlereagh; IPF W1 Mid Ulster; IPF W2 Derry and Strabane; IPF W3 Fermanagh and Omagh; plus a Project Lot (projects £750k to £5m)
Who Can Apply
Suits civil engineering and highways contractors working in Northern Ireland, and the notice marks it as particularly suitable for SMEs. The tender has not opened yet, so contractors should prepare now to bid for the area lots that match their base, or for the Project Lot if they deliver larger schemes.
Buyer Benefits
Area lots give TRAM a contractor in every part of Northern Ireland for smaller schemes, while the Project Lot handles larger schemes without a separate procurement each time. Buyers value contractors who can combine civils, drainage, signals and surfacing in one scheme and keep disruption on live roads low.
Next Steps
Read TRAM's preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender (2026/S 000-028874) and the Procurement Enhancement Programme strategy on the Department for Infrastructure's website. The tender will be published through eTendersNI, so register there and watch for it. Decide which area lots or the Project Lot suit you, and gather case studies, safety records and traffic management credentials.
How Athena Can Help
The RAM Improvement Projects tender is still to come, which gives you time to plan. Athena's bid/no-bid and lot advice helps you choose between area lots and the Project Lot based on your base, plant and scheme sizes.
Our highways bid writers then build method statements, traffic management answers and win themes from your past schemes, and price the bid to win. Through our framework registration service we also track the other RAM frameworks TRAM is procuring and prepare your selection documents once, ready for each tender.
