Specialist Professional and Technical Service 3 (SPaTS3)
Framework Description
The Specialist Professional and Technical Service 3 (SPaTS3) framework is a £495m National Highways framework for specialist consultancy, engineering advice, research and innovation across the Strategic Road Network. It runs for six years, from 16 June 2025 to 15 June 2031, with no extension, aligned to Roads Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3). It is a single-lot framework, closed to new applications.
Context & Use Case
National Highways uses SPaTS3 for specialist professional and technical advice it cannot meet in-house, supporting the design, delivery and operation of the Strategic Road Network. Six consultancy teams hold places, giving the client access to engineering, research and innovation expertise through one route across the period of Roads Investment Strategy 3.
Scope of Services
Road transport technical consultancy Engineering advice and design support Research and innovation Specialist professional advice supporting RIS3
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits large multidisciplinary consultancies, but the framework was awarded in 2025 and applications are closed until 15 June 2031. Specialist and smaller firms can pursue supply-chain work with the six appointed teams.
Buyer Benefits
National Highways gets direct access to six major consultancy teams covering the breadth of technical disciplines needed for the network, without procuring each specialism separately. The six-year term gives continuity across the RIS3 investment period, and a fixed group of teams builds familiarity with the client's standards and network.
Next Steps
Specialist firms should approach the six appointed teams with clear capability statements and examples of strategic road network work, focusing on niche expertise they may lack. For a direct route, plan for the successor to SPaTS3 ahead of 15 June 2031.
How Athena Can Help
With SPaTS3 closed to new applications until 2031, specialist firms win work through the six appointed teams. Athena's capability statement writing helps you present niche expertise to tier 1 consultancies in a way that wins subcontract roles and repeat commissions.
Our road sector bidding support helps you target other National Highways and transport opportunities, and our framework pipeline service plans ahead for the SPaTS3 successor so you are ready when it is eventually tendered.
