Home / Opportunities / Opportunity
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

ABP Lock Gates Framework

ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 1 Oct 2026, 21:25.

Opportunity overview

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s largest ports group with 21 ports across the UK, providing essential gateways for trade and enabling the green infrastructure essential for the UK’s energy transition. ABP directly employs over 2,000 individuals across the UK and handles approximately a quarter of the country’s seaborne trade. ABP intends to procure a new Lock Gates Framework to support the design, supply, installation and commissioning of lock gates across its ports. Lock gates are critical operational assets for ABP, underpinning the safe, reliable movement of vessels and the ongoing resilience of our infrastructure. Through this framework, ABP is seeking to establish a robust, long-term delivery model that enables both planned renewals and reactive interventions, while securing value for money and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. Indicative Framework Scope (Final scope to be informed by market engagement) The Framework is expected to cover a comprehensive range of services associated with the delivery, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance of lock gate assets across ABP’s UK port estate. This may include, but is not limited to: • Design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of replacement lock gates and caissons • Design, manufacture and installation of replacement lock gate anchorages and structural interfaces • Design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of lock gate and caisson operating equipment / machinery • Design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of lock gate sluices and hydraulic systems • Major refurbishment and overhaul works • Life extension works to existing lock gate assets • Inspection, assessment, maintenance and repair activities to support asset performance and reliability • Associated temporary works, installation support and commissioning activities Typical Asset Parameters Indicative lock gate sizes across ABP’s estate are expected to be in the order of up to approximately 15m wide by 13m high per leaf, although this may vary by location and asset type. The scope is intended to support both planned capital renewals and reactive interventions across the asset lifecycle. The final scope and structure of the Framework will be refined following market engagement and internal governance processes. Description of the Procurement The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (UK2) is to notify the market of ABP’s intention to explore the future procurement of a Lock Gates Framework and to engage with capable suppliers at an early stage. The engagement is intended to support the informed development of the proposed procurement by: • Increasing market awareness of the anticipated framework opportunity. • Understanding supplier capability, capacity, and delivery constraints. • Ensuring the proposed procurement approach is proportionate, accessible, and capable of attracting effective competition, including from SMEs. Supplier input will be used to help shape ABP’s procurement and commercial strategy ahead of any decision to proceed with a formal procurement process.

Classification

  • CPV34930000 — Marine equipment
  • CPV44212383 — Lock gates
  • CPV44212391 — Sluice gates
  • CPV45240000 — Construction work for water projects
  • CPV45241000 — Harbour construction works
  • CPV45244000 — Marine construction works

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
INF-GRP-26-1739
Main Procurement Category
works
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Special regime

utilities

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Communication

Future Notice Date
9 Jul 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Contract period

Starts
4 Nov 2026, 00:00
Ends
3 Nov 2031, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
34930000
Description
Marine equipment
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
44212383
Description
Lock gates
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
44212391
Description
Sluice gates
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
45240000
Description
Construction work for water projects
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
45241000
Description
Harbour construction works
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
45244000
Description
Marine construction works

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The market engagement is anticipated to be undertaken in a phased manner, with each phase having a defined focus. The form, depth, and sequencing of engagement may be refined in response to market interest and feedback. • Phase 1 – Expression of Interest and Initial Feedback Expressions of interest and high-level written feedback via a questionnaire, to inform ABP’s understanding of supplier capability, capacity, and key constraints. • Phase 2 – Strategy Testing (indicative timings to be confirmed) Targeted 1-1 meetings with interested suppliers to test and seek feedback on the proposed procurement approach, contract strategy, commercial model and supplier capabilities. Following completion of the market engagement, ABP will review the outcomes. Subject to a decision to proceed and internal approvals, a procurement strategy will be developed in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, and a compliant procurement procedure may be undertaken to appoint suitably qualified suppliers to the Framework.
Due
19 Jun 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
045656-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
19 May 2026, 10:45
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
Id
GB-COH-ZC000195

Identifier

Scheme
GB-COH
Id
ZC000195

Address

Street Address
25 Bedford Street
Locality
London
Postal Code
WC2E 9ES
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI32

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
privateUtility
Description
Private utility

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · WC2E 9ES · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 045656-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·