Review and Improve Innovation Procurement Processes for National Highways

National Highways is seeking a supplier to review and improve its innovation procurement approach used for the Innovation and Research Designated Fund. This work will assess whether the current two-stage competition model (open call followed by procurement) used in Year 1 can be simplified and made more efficient for Year 2 and beyond. The supplier will conduct a structured review to: - Evaluate the effectiveness of the two-stage model based on Year 1 experience - Assess whether a simpler single-stage competition approach would work better - Compare the costs and benefits of delivering competitions internally versus using external innovation services - Identify ways to improve the process for simplicity, fairness, supplier experience and internal efficiency - Ensure all recommendations comply with procurement legislation and subsidy control requirements - Develop an implementation plan and optimised delivery approach This opportunity is ideal for suppliers with expertise in innovation procurement, competition design and process improvement. The work aims to make innovation competitions more accessible to National Highways and the wider supply chain, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).