Lower Thames Crossing- Strategic Sale Advisor

Department for TransportcontractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-059057Procurement Act 2023SME suitablepending
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Estimated value

Awarded value

£20.0m

Awarded 19 Dec 2025

Suppliers

1

Lots

1

1 awarded

Published

19 Dec 2025

Description

The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed new 14.3-mile road and tunnel which will pass under the river Thames connecting Kent and Essex, the scheme includes two 2.6-mile tunnels under the Thames, with roads required on either side to link it into the existing network. HMG have been examining private finance options for the main works. The leading option is now a Regulated Asset Base model, in which a new economically regulated company (LTC Co) will undertake the main construction works, as well as maintain and operate both Lower Thames Crossing and Dartford Crossings. The Department for Transport is contracting with an organisation to act as a Strategic Sale Advisor, responsible for leading and executing the Lower Thames Crossing Co sale. Key responsibilities for the Strategic Sale Advisor will include: Capital Markets Advisory, Market Engagement & Investor Outreach, Credit Rating Process, Equity Sale Execution & Transaction Finalisation. The Department for Transport (DfT) and National Highways (NH) will be the transaction principals with all decision-making authority reserved to them. The Srategic Sale Advisor will be acting in an advisory capacity only with no authority to transact on behalf of DfT/NH.

Scope

Reference
TRCF3099
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
07 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2027
Possible extension to 31 Dec 2028

DfT reserves the right to extend the contract for a period up to 12 months or such greater period as is agreed between the Buyer and Supplier in accordance with Schedule 8, Paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a result of a materialisation of a known risk (including delay to the overall project and transaction, and such other known risks).

CPV classifications
66120000
66122000
Contract locations
UK, United Kingdom
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Stage 1 Quality QuestionnaireWritten submission covering the following areas: Relevant experience and expertise Approach and Methodology Resourcing Social Value Full details can be found within the tender documents available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html.quality70.00%
Stage 2 Presentation/ InterviewIn-person presentation covering the following areas: Opportunity positioning Precedent transactions Collaboration and challenge Full details can be found within the tender documents available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html.quality10.00%
PriceTenderers are required to submit their Total Bid Fee for delivery of the full requirement Full details can be found within the tender documents available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html.price20.00%

Participation

Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.

Bidders must already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the award of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below: a. Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £5million b. Public Liability Insurance = £5million c. Professional Indemnity Insurance = £10 million d. Product Liability Insurance = £5million Full details can be found within the tender documents available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html.

Organisation must be FCA registered (or equivalent internationally recognised standard) and key individuals within the proposed Project Team are FCA registered (or equivalent internationally recognised standard). Full details can be found within the tender documents available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html.

Submission & procedure

Procedure
Competitive flexible procedure

Award details

Awarded supplier(s), contract period and value as published in the award notice.

Awarded value

£20.0m

Award date

19 Dec 2025

Contract start

08 Jan 2026

Contract end

31 Dec 2027