Find a Tender · Live tender
Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)
Live: the notice is at tender stage.
01/ The notice
Key facts
- Value
- £350,000,000Framework ceiling or programme total, not a contract value
- Deadline (UK time)
- No deadline statedThe source does not state a submission deadline.
- Published
- 1 Sep 2026
- Region
- Not stated
02/ The brief
What the notice says
Not fully read: this is the notice text; attached documents are not read.
In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”).
DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027).
The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects.
The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management.
Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement.
The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail.
The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as “Clients”. These “Clients” are detailed in the “Contracting authorities that may use the framework” section below. In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.
03/ Classification
CPV codes
Common Procurement Vocabulary codes, exactly as the notice lists them. No descriptions are added here.
- 71243000
- 79421200
- 71311230
- 79311100
- 79417000
- 71241000
- 79421100
- 71311300
- 79412000
- 79419000
- 71311200
- 79411100
Show the other 21 codes
- 71244000
- 71311000
- 79314000
- 79311410
- 79312000
- 79315000
- 71310000
- 73300000
- 73220000
- 79311300
- 79313000
- 79418000
- 73210000
- 72240000
- 71313410
- 79413000
- 71313420
- 71242000
- 71313430
- 71313440
- 71313450
04/ History
Releases of this notice
11 releases held, oldest first. Dates are UK time.
- 24 Dec 2025Planning notice
Planning notice published 24 December 2025.
Release 086155-2025
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 9 Jan 2026Planning notice
Planning notice published 9 January 2026. The source does not state what changed.
Release 001922-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 30 Apr 2026Planning notice update
Planning notice update published 30 April 2026. Stated change: The publication date for the STARFour tender/transparency notice will be later than the estimate set out in the UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement notice (published on 9 January 2026). The original date of 8 May 2026 was indicative and subject to internal approvals. All future updates will be communicated through the Jaggaer esourcing portal and Find a Tender service, so please continue to monitor these channels for any updates on the STARFour procurement.
Release 040153-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 3 Jun 2026Planning notice update
Planning notice update published 3 June 2026. Stated change: The publication date for the STARFour tender/transparency notice has been updated. The original date was indicative and subject to internal approvals. All future updates will be communicated through the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and Find a Tender service, so please continue to monitor these channels for any updates on the STARFour procurement.
Release 052185-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 2 Jul 2026Planning notice update
Planning notice update published 2 July 2026. Stated change: The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been revised. The Preferred Supplier Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication during the week commencing 20 July 2026. Please note that these dates are indicative and remain subject to internal approvals. Any further updates will be communicated via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and the Find a Tender service, so we advise for you to continue monitoring these channels for the latest information regarding the STARFour procurement. The DfT appreciates your continued patience and cooperation as the project team finalises the documentation required to commence the formal procurement process.
Release 062434-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 2 Jul 2026Planning notice update
Planning notice update published 2 July 2026. Stated change: The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been revised. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication during the week commencing 20 July 2026. Please note that these dates are indicative and remain subject to internal approvals. Any further updates will be communicated via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and the Find a Tender service, so we advise for you to continue monitoring these channels for the latest information regarding the STARFour procurement. The DfT appreciates your continued patience and cooperation as the project team finalises the documentation required to commence the formal procurement process.
Release 062455-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 13 Jul 2026Planning notice update
Planning notice update published 13 July 2026. Stated change: The DfT appreciates your continued patience and cooperation as the project team goes through its internal governance process in order to commence the formal procurement process. The publication date for the STARFour tender and transparency notice has been further revised. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire is now scheduled for publication at the end of July 2026. Please note that this date is indicative and remains subject to internal approvals. Any further updates will be communicated via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal and the Find a Tender service; therefore, tenderers are advised to continue monitoring these channels for the latest information regarding the STARFour procurement.
Release 065627-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 31 Jul 2026Tender notice
Tender notice published 31 July 2026. The notice text changed; the source gives no change note.
Release 072876-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 31 Jul 2026Tender notice update
Tender notice update published 31 July 2026. Stated change: Updated Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework document.
Release 072885-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 31 Jul 2026Tender notice update
Tender notice update published 31 July 2026. Stated change: Updated Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework document. Amendment to Lot 2 Title.
Release 072886-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab) - 1 Sep 2026Tender notice update
Tender notice update published 1 September 2026. Stated change: Updated Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework document. Amendment to Lot 2 Title. DfT can confirm it has updated and amended the following documents: STARFour Procurement Specific Questionnaire Process Document, STARFour Procurement Specific Questionnaire - Technical Questions and the STARFour Framework Agreement. All three documents and a list of amendments for each document will be issued to all interested Applicants who have accessed the STARFour Project via the messaging function on the Sourcing Portal and uploaded to the Data Room. DfT can also confirm it is extending the PSQ deadline until 12:00 BST on 21 September 2026
Release 082843-2026
View this release on Find a Tender (opens in a new tab)
05/ Limits
What the source does not tell us
- The source does not state a submission deadline.
- The stated value is a ceiling or programme total.
06/ Questions
About this notice
07/ Related
Where to go next
These links follow a fixed rule applied to this notice’s buyer, text and CPV codes. They are not advice on whether to bid.
- Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Stage
- tender · Open
- Framework
- Yes, as recorded by the source
- Last verified
- Tue 8 Sep 2026, 08:10 BST
- Read at
- Sun 18 Oct 2026, 10:52 BST
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source data © Crown copyright.
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