Construction & Infrastructure procurement in Durham
Specialist procurement support for the construction & infrastructure sector in County Durham
Over 630 annual procurement opportunities worth £1323 million • We have helped 88 businesses win contracts
Construction & Infrastructure procurement areas in Durham
We have deep expertise across all segments of the construction & infrastructure market in County Durham. Our team understands the specific requirements for each contract type and evaluation criteria.
New build and design-build projects
Refurbishment and retrofit
Maintenance and term contracts
Design and architectural services
MEP installations (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)
Highways and infrastructure projects
Landscaping and external works
Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions
Market dynamics for construction & infrastructure in Durham
Regional characteristics
County Durham has particular focus areas within construction & infrastructure, which influence procurement priorities and evaluation criteria.Durham City Council prioritises solutions that support local economic development and sustainable business models.
We understand the unique requirements and expectations in County Durham and ensure your bid reflects these priorities effectively through targeted argumentation strategy.
Competitive landscape
The Construction & Infrastructure market in Durham is competitive with both established local players and national suppliers. Typically we see 4-10 bidders per tender.
Successful bids combine competitive pricing with strong local presence, innovation and documented experience from similar projects in the region.
Requirements for construction & infrastructure procurement in Durham
Qualification requirements
Building regulations compliance and NHBC certification
Health and safety certification (CDM 2015)
Social value and apprenticeship requirements
Environmental certification (BREEAM, LEED, Passivhaus)
Performance bonds and professional indemnity insurance
BIM competencies for major construction projects
UK regulatory requirements
Durham City Council follows the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and UK procurement law. All tenders above threshold values must follow standardised processes via Find a Tender Service. We ensure full compliance with all legal and administrative requirements.
Evaluation criteria
Procurement opportunities for construction & infrastructure in Durham
Net Zero transition and energy-efficient buildings
Growing demand and new contract opportunities within this area in County Durham.
Retrofit programmes for public buildings
Growing demand and new contract opportunities within this area in County Durham.
Increased maintenance requirements in councils
Growing demand and new contract opportunities within this area in County Durham.
Climate adaptation and future-proofing
Growing demand and new contract opportunities within this area in County Durham.
Accessible design and DDA compliance
Growing demand and new contract opportunities within this area in County Durham.
Upcoming construction & infrastructure procurement in Durham
Based on historical data and known plans we expect 52 to 70 new procurement opportunities within construction & infrastructure in the next 30 days in Durham and County Durham.Durham City Council has announced increased focus on digitalisation and sustainable solutions.
Framework agreements
Durham City Council participates in several framework agreements within construction & infrastructure, creating opportunities for higher volumes and longer contract periods.
Innovation partnerships
Increased use of innovation partnerships enables collaborative development processes and bespoke solutions.
Success stories from construction & infrastructure in County Durham
Framework agreement Durham City Council
Won 4-year framework agreement for new build and design-build projects worth £238.1 million annually with extension options.
Innovation partnership County Durham
Secured innovative contract for maintenance and term contracts with development potential of £370 million over the project period.
Multi-authority contract across County Durham
Completed complex procurement procedure for refurbishment and retrofit with contract value £595 million via central purchasing framework.
Our process for construction & infrastructure procurement
Week 1: Analysis and strategy
We analyse the procurement documents, map competitors in Durham, and develop a winning strategy based on County Durham's priorities and construction & infrastructure trends.
Week 2-3: Development
Our construction & infrastructure experts develop the bid focusing on local requirements, UK regulatory conditions and evaluation criteria specific to Durham City Council.
Week 3-4: Quality assurance
Thorough review of all requirements, documentation and attachments in accordance with PCR 2015. We ensure 100% compliance with procurement requirements before submission via Find a Tender Service.
Follow-up
We handle questions, negotiations and contract signature professionally. Full support throughout the entire process until contract is in place and project commencement.
Questions about construction & infrastructure procurement in Durham
What construction & infrastructure procurement opportunities are most common in Durham?
In Durham we see highest activity in new build and design-build projects and refurbishment and retrofit.Durham City Council and County Durham authorities regularly publish contracts for these areas, typically with 2-4 year durations plus options. Framework agreements are most common for ongoing services.
What qualifications are required for construction & infrastructure procurement?
Typical requirements include building regulations compliance and nhbc certification, health and safety certification (cdm 2015), and solid financial capacity. For larger contracts in County Durham local presence is often required or response time under 4 hours. We help you document and present qualifications optimally.
How long does a typical construction & infrastructure procurement procedure take?
From publication to contract signature normally takes 2-4 months for construction & infrastructure procurement in Durham. Bid deadline is often 4-6 weeks after publication. With SmartBid's experience we deliver complete bids in 3-4 weeks, with good margin for quality assurance before submission.
How do we differentiate ourselves in construction & infrastructure procurement?
Success requires more than low price. In Durham net zero transition and energy-efficient buildings, local value creation and innovative solutions are often weighted highly. We help you highlight unique strengths, document added value and score highly on all evaluation criteria - not just price.
What do SmartBid's services cost for construction & infrastructure procurement?
Our prices are tailored to the procurement's size and complexity. For construction & infrastructure procurement in Durhamprices start from £4,500 for smaller contracts. For larger framework agreements and design-build contracts we often use success fees. The investment is minimal relative to the contract value you can win.
Ready to dominate the construction & infrastructure market in Durham?
With 630 annual procurement opportunities worth £1323 million there are significant growth opportunities in County Durham. Let our expert team help you win your share of the market.
Special offer for construction & infrastructure businesses in Durham • Free needs analysis