Road Asset Management Small Works Framework
Framework Description
The Road Asset Management Small Works Framework is a DfI Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) procurement for responsive and small-scale road maintenance in Northern Ireland. It will award eleven measured term contracts, one for each contract area, covering every council area in Northern Ireland. Work focuses on jobs below £50,000, from carriageway patching to grass cutting and traffic calming. TRAM published a preliminary market engagement notice in March 2026.
Context & Use Case
TRAM uses small works contractors to respond to defects and keep the network safe and tidy, from temporary pothole repairs to drainage jetting and vegetation control. The framework brings together work currently delivered through separate small scale and responsive works and environmental maintenance contracts. Small network improvements and traffic calming schemes also fall within the scope.
Scope of Services
North: SWF N1 Antrim and Newtownabbey, N2 Mid and East Antrim, N3 Causeway Coast and Glens East: SWF E1 Belfast City, E2 Lisburn and Castlereagh South: SWF S1 Newry Mourne and Down, S2 Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon, S3 Ards and North Down West: SWF W1 Mid Ulster, W2 Fermanagh and Omagh, W3 Derry City and Strabane Temporary and permanent carriageway, footway and cycleway repairs Drainage cleaning, grass cutting, edge treatment and weed control Small improvement schemes and traffic calming
Lots
11 contract areas: SWF N1 Antrim & Newtownabbey; SWF N2 Mid & East Antrim; SWF N3 Causeway Coast & Glens; SWF E1 Belfast City; SWF E2 Lisburn & Castlereagh; SWF S1 Newry, Mourne & Down; SWF S2 Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon; SWF S3 Ards & North Down; SWF W1 Mid Ulster; SWF W2 Fermanagh & Omagh; SWF W3 Derry City & Strabane
Who Can Apply
Suits local highways maintenance contractors and small civils firms with crews, plant and traffic management in a specific part of Northern Ireland. The procurement is at preliminary market engagement, so contractors cannot join yet; they will need to tender for the contract areas they can cover. Smaller firms may find a single contract area a realistic first step.
Buyer Benefits
Contractors embedded in each area give TRAM fast response to defects and reliable seasonal maintenance. Measured term contracts give predictable rates for frequent small jobs. Buyers will value response times, local depots and crews, and safe working on live roads.
Next Steps
Follow the procurement record on Find a Tender (OCID ocds-h6vhtk-06761f) for the tender notice and documents. Decide which of the 11 contract areas you can serve from your depot, and prepare evidence of responsive maintenance, traffic management competence and plant. Build a schedule of rates you can sustain over the life of a measured term contract.
How Athena Can Help
Small works measured term contracts are often won on rates and response, and the tender is coming. Athena's public sector pricing advice can help you build schedule of rates pricing that is competitive and still profitable. Our bid writing and compliance team writes and checks the quality answers on response times, resources and safety. We also offer framework targeting advice to plan which contract areas and other roads frameworks to target.
