The STARThree Framework – valued at £600 million – brings in suppliers who can provide DfT with specialist technical and commercial advice for rail and other transport schemes. The framework covers a wide range of services, including procurement and contracting support, project and programme management, technical guidance and strategic advisory, with the objective of delivering the DfT's investment programme and meeting emerging service requirements.
This, the third iteration of the framework, will see six ‘prime' suppliers taking on lot-wide remits alongside a host of specialist companies with more targeted briefs.
This is the first time Mace has been appointed to the framework, securing a place as a ‘prime' supplier. This positions the firm as a leading candidate to pick up work across five categories: strategy, planning and economic forecasting advice; operations and performance advice; commercial advice; infrastructure and asset advice; and project and programme management advice.
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Mace's role on the framework will enable the development of existing relationships in the UK transport sector, with the likes of Network Rail and National Highways set to benefit from the DfT initiative, as well as opportunities to build new ties with a clutch of new organisations not currently on Mace's order book.
Across the five lot 1 categories, DfT is showing its commitment to responsibly delivering the nation's transportation network, with social value and decarbonisation marked out as core themes. Mace, which this year declared plans to save 10 million tonnes of carbon associated with buildings and infrastructure it delivers across the world by 2026, will leverage its established responsible business advisory capabilities to ensure this requirement remains front and centre of its work.
Commenting on the appointment, Sean Gray, Director for Transportation at Mace Consult, said: "Securing this new appointment with DfT is a reflection of the growth and success we've seen in our UK transportation business over the past few years; it's further evidence that Mace is established as major multi-modal player in the sector.
"Alongside the opportunity to build on our experience with the likes of Network Rail, National Highways, HS2 and Abellio, we're looking forward to forging new relationships and showcasing the full scope of our consultancy capabilities, drawing on our delivery expertise to bring new ideas and innovations – such as modern methods of construction – that will help the nation transform its transport infrastructure."
