Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13be6-ab83-72f1-8352-88960a2ab58c/exploratory-research-into-automated-pavement-compliance-testing-act-to-improve pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Exploratory Research into Automated Pavement Compliance Testing (ACT) to Improve Safety on the Strategic Road Network [National Highways Limited](https://tendernation.io/buyers/national-highways-limited) Estimated value £60,000 Published 5 Aug 2026 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender National Highways (NH) is a government owned organisation responsible for operating,, maintaining and improving the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in England. NH is undertaking exploratory research into innovative approaches for pavement compliance testing on the SRN. This work aligns with the Home Safe & Well vision that no one should be harmed while travelling or working on the SRN. Pavement compliance testing is essential to ensure customer safety and the quality of highway renewal works. It is currently estimated that compliance testing activities account for approximately 98,500 work hours on the SRN each year. At present, much of this testing is carried out at night by operatives working adjacent to live traffic, exposing them to significant risks including vehicle incursions and people–plant interface hazards. There is an urgent need to explore and accelerate the adoption of automated compliance tests (ACT) that can remove operatives from high-risk live traffic environments. Early research indicates that such technologies have the potential not only to significantly improve workforce safety, but also to enhance pavement quality, deliver smoother roads, and improve the overall customer experience. ## CPV classification Research services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-06dc68-2026-08-05T13:27:26+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc68-2026-08-05T13:27:26+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile National Highways Limited: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/national-highways-limited) [Sector More Research & development tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/research-development) ## More tenders like this [NCC1999 NE Rural Growth Programme Evaluation · Northumberland County Council · 22 days left · 10 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a154e4-464d-73d3-9c3e-e81aa703d9f0/ncc1999-ne-rural-growth-programme-evaluation) [Nature recovery and intangible cultural heritage · Natural England · 25 days left · 12 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a154e4-4787-7110-ab3a-3a405c46164b/nature-recovery-and-intangible-cultural-heritage) [Local Government Data Sharing Playbook: Multi-Agency Sharing in Children’s Social Care · Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) · 21 days left · 9 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a154e4-4947-728c-ad83-59c066944fda/local-government-data-sharing-playbook-multi-agency-sharing-in-childrens-socia) [Specialist Advice/Advisor Service for Gloucestershire’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Sector · Tewkesbury Borough Council · 28 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15476-6446-722b-9ec6-44e39018b2f6/specialist-adviceadvisor-service-for-gloucestershires-advanced-engineering-and) [Research and development services and related consultancy services – Forschungsprojekt - DZSF - Mobilitätskettenanalyse - Wie Verkehrsdaten den ländlichen Schienenverkehr stärken können · Eisenbahn-Bundesamt · 100 days left · 27 Jan 2027](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-2140-73b5-8807-5ad43f7122d9/germany-research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services-f) [Research and development services and related consultancy services – Begleitforschung Städtebauförderung - Wissenstransfer: Anwendungsleitfaden des Bundes zur Praxis Städtebauförderung · Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung (BBR) · 30 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-4375-730a-9135-c6d6d211cb68/germany-research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services-b)