Driving for Better Business Programme: DfBB Evaluation

About the buyer

National Highways is the government company that plans, designs, builds, operates and maintains England's motorways and major A roads, and buys as a central government body. Suppliers register on the National Highways eSourcing Portal to search live tenders and opportunities. Larger contracts are also advertised on Find a Tender, with Contracts Finder used for smaller opportunities. Most work reaches the market through framework contracts covering major schemes and routine maintenance. The Supply Chain Team handles queries on contracts, frameworks and procurement processes. A social enterprise dynamic purchasing system also opens smaller contracts to voluntary and community organisations.

Procurement spend from central entities makes up 66% of overall UK public spend.

Over the past 5 years, most of National Highways Limited's contract awards have been in construction work, transport equipment and research and development.