The Environment Agency has gone out to tender with a major and wide-ranging Collaborative Delivery Framework 2 (CDF2) with a total estimated value of £6.6 billion including VAT.

CDF2 will deliver asset management activities across the whole of the EA's asset base including Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Navigation and Water Land and Biodiversity assets. The Framework will provide appraisal, design, technical support, and construction works that support the EA’s asset management, maintenance, refurbishment and construction programmes of work.

The Framework will be required to develop, design and deliver nature-based solutions and more traditional hard engineering solutions. The framework will be used to award contracts with a value up to £150 million.

The opportunity is organised into three technical Lots, with sub-Lots within each Lot, corresponding to three geographic Hubs.

Lot 1: Strategy, appraisal and design services

Includes Sub-Lots 1a (North); 1b (Midlands and Southwest); and 1c (East and Southeast)

Lot 2: Detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value £5m)

Cancelled - no contracts will be awarded related to this lot

Lot 3a. Sub-Lot 3a (North)

Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's North Hub.

Lot value (estimated)

£1,275,014,860.31 excluding VAT

£1,530,017,832.38 including VAT

Lot 3b. Sub-Lot 3b (Midlands and SW)

Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's Midlands and Southwest Hub.

Lot value (estimated)

£1,332,771,943.73 excluding VAT

£1,599,326,332.47 including VAT

Lot 3c. Sub-Lot 3c (East and SE)

Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's East and South East Hub.

Lot value (estimated)

£1,394,888,052.31 excluding VAT

£1,673,865,662.77 including VAT

The Environment Agency is looking to appoint up to 16 suppliers to the framework.

Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with the procurement, and details of how the framework will operate can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.

Successful tenderers may also be required to provide the services to Local Authorities and to Internal Drainage Boards in England, together with Central Government departments, executive agencies, and other non-departmental public bodies.

Deadline for submission of enquiries is 10:00am on 27 April 2026 and deadline for requests to participate is 10:00am on 27 April 2026,

The procurement is being conducted under the following competitive flexible procedure:

• Stage 1: Conditions of Participation (including minimum technical capability assessment).
• Stage 2: Main Tender Stage (technical, social value and commercial assessment).
• Stage 3: Behavioural Assessments (in-person).
• Stage 4: Pre-award meetings (optional stage).

Shortlisting will take place following Stages 1 and 2. Estimated date of the award decision is 19 October 2026.

Click here to access the detailed Bidder pack and related documents for each Lot,  submission address and any special instructions