UK5 - Transparency Notice

Location

Description

National Highways intends to directly award a contract for the delivery of independent cyber security research and development. The requirement is for academic-led, evidence-based analysis to identify and assess emerging cyber risks across Strategic Road Network technologies, supporting development of mitigation strategies and safe adoption of new technologies. The contract will be awarded under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5 (Research and Development), on the basis that the requirement constitutes specialist, research-led activity that cannot be met through the commercial market and requires independent academic capability.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• None found

Legal Justification

This route is compliant because: • The requirement constitutes a research-driven R&D activity, not a standard commercial service. • The deliverable is a novel and exploratory research output, forming an evidence base rather than a finished product • Market engagement and existing evidence demonstrate: • Limited supplier capability in vendor-neutral research delivery • Commercial suppliers are not aligned to independent R&D outcomes • Academic partners provide: • Specialist expertise • Continuity with existing NH research activity • Independence and credibility The use of Schedule 5, Paragraph 2 is justified as the contract concerns: • Research, experimentation, and development • Testing viability of new capability areas (as explicitly permitted under PA2023 provisions)

Other Information

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