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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

Department for Transport · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 25 Sept 2026, 07:30.

Opportunity overview

In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (“DfT”) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework—both managed by the Department’s Group Commercial Directorate (“GCD”). DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the “STARFour Framework”) to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027). The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects. The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management. Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement. The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail. The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as “Clients”. These “Clients” are detailed in the “Contracting authorities that may use the framework” section below. In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.

Classification

  • CPV71241000 — Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
  • CPV71242000 — Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
  • CPV71243000 — Draft plans (systems and integration)
  • CPV71244000 — Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs
  • CPV71310000 — Consultative engineering and construction services
  • CPV71311000 — Civil engineering consultancy services
  • CPV71311200 — Transport systems consultancy services
  • CPV71311230 — Railway engineering services
  • CPV71311300 — Infrastructure works consultancy services
  • CPV71313410 — Risk or hazard assessment for construction
  • CPV71313420 — Environmental standards for construction
  • CPV71313430 — Environmental indicators analysis for construction
  • CPV71313440 — Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction
  • CPV71313450 — Environmental monitoring for construction
  • CPV72240000 — Systems analysis and programming services
  • CPV73210000 — Research consultancy services
  • CPV73220000 — Development consultancy services
  • CPV73300000 — Design and execution of research and development
  • CPV79311100 — Survey design services
  • CPV79311300 — Survey analysis services
  • CPV79311410 — Economic impact assessment
  • CPV79312000 — Market-testing services
  • CPV79313000 — Performance review services
  • CPV79314000 — Feasibility study
  • CPV79315000 — Social research services
  • CPV79411100 — Business development consultancy services
  • CPV79412000 — Financial management consultancy services
  • CPV79413000 — Marketing management consultancy services
  • CPV79417000 — Safety consultancy services
  • CPV79418000 — Procurement consultancy services
  • CPV79419000 — Evaluation consultancy services
  • CPV79421100 — Project-supervision services other than for construction work
  • CPV79421200 — Project-design services other than for construction work

Lots

  • Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice£342.5m
  • Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice£7.5m

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
FOUR0000
Status
active
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, you must complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire by 12:00 BST on 14 September 2026 via the Jaggaer online portal using the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/login.do?qvu=54891180019FB81922E0 Email responses will not be accepted. All queries relating to this notice should be made via the messaging function in Jaggaer. If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/ Any queries relating to registering will need to be directed to the e-Sourcing Helpdesk on the above link.
Expression Of Interest Deadline
14 Sept 2026, 12:00

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
The procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The Authority will undertake an initial selection stage using a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). The PSQ Response will be assessed in accordance with the selection criteria set out in the Procurement Documents. A maximum of 108 participants will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. The Authority will not undertake negotiations with Tenderers and does not intend to refine the award criteria following publication of the Procurement Documents. Tenders will be evaluated and the Framework Agreement awarded in accordance with the Procurement Documents. The Procurement Documents set out the procurement procedure in full, including the selection process, award criteria and evaluation methodology. Interested parties should therefore read all Procurement Documents carefully to ensure they understand the procurement procedure and the Authority's requirements.

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Description
A Management Charge will be payable by the Consultant awarded a Package Order (as defined in the STARFour Framework) for services to a Client other than DfT. The Management Charge is calculated by reference to the total anticipated Package Order Award Value (including the value of any extension options), subject to the maximum charges as set out below. LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of less than £1 million a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500 LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £1 million to £9,999,999 a 0.60% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £7,500 LOT 1 - Package Order Award Value of £10 million or more a 0.50% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £10,000 LOT 2 - Package Order Award Value of more than £100,000 a 0.75% charge occurs up to a maximum charge of £2,500 No management charge is payable in respect of Package Orders for services to be provided to DfT. Clause 16 of the Framework Agreement details the Management Charge procedure.
Id
ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57

Type

win

Relative Value

Proportion
0.008
Monetary Value
award

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Maximum Participants
72
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
open
Buyer Categories
See attachment - Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework
Description
Contracts awarded under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either: Direct Award, where the conditions set out in the Framework Agreement Schedule 10 (Call Off Procedure) are satisfied; or a competitive selection process between the Framework Suppliers appointed to the relevant Lot and Category, undertaken in accordance with the Framework Agreement. The Authority will determine the appropriate award method based on the nature of the requirement and the provisions of the Framework Agreement. Prices for individual contracts will be determined either by applying the Framework Supplier's framework rates or through pricing submitted as part of a competitive selection process. Individual contracts may be awarded on the basis of fixed price, time and materials, or another pricing mechanism as specified in the contract documents.

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Enquiry period

Ends
21 Aug 2026, 12:00

Expected award period

Ends
31 May 2027, 23:59

Lot Details

Award criteria

Description
Refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), paragraph 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.

Amendments

Entry 1
Description
Updated Contracting Authorities that can use the Framework document. Amendment to Lot 2 Title. DfT can confirm it has updated and amended the following documents: STARFour Procurement Specific Questionnaire Process Document, STARFour Procurement Specific Questionnaire - Technical Questions and the STARFour Framework Agreement. All three documents and a list of amendments for each document will be issued to all interested Applicants who have accessed the STARFour Project via the messaging function on the Sourcing Portal and uploaded to the Data Room. DfT can also confirm it is extending the PSQ deadline until 12:00 BST on 21 September 2026
Id
082843-2026

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice
Description
Lot 1 provides specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport modes. Lot 1 will be sub-divided into eleven (11) Sub-Lots, across five (5) categories. The eleven (11) Sub-Lots will be awarded based on whether an Applicant is successful to the PRIME Grade (one (1) Sub-Lot) or to the MEDIUM and EXPERT Grade (five (5) Sub-Lots for each Category per Grade). Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. Lot 1 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require technical, commercial, operational, strategic, infrastructure, and programme delivery advice to support transport policy development, investment decision-making, and delivery. The Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Categories within Lot 1: Category A – Transport Strategy, Planning and Economic Forecasting Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting advice General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Strategic corporate planning and appraisal Business case support Benefits realisation support Monitoring and evaluation Control and investment period advice and analysis Strategic planning and research Transport market reviews High level general transport investment strategy support Macro and micro-economic advice Remapping and devolution studies Fare reviews and policy Ticketless travel and ticket retailing Revenue protection Modelling – revenue forecasting, fares and demand Package-specific bid evaluation support AI strategy development in transport Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category B – Transport Operations and Performance Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport operations, performance and customer service advice General transport operations, performance and customer service research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Operational proposal package Operational management Timetabling, diagramming, rostering Staffing policy/strategy Industrial relations/Trade Unions/TUPE/pensions General transport operational interfaces Management and business structure Operational mobilisation Operational safety Modal and inter-modal integration, interfaces and connectivity Passenger communication Passenger connectivity Service quality/customer service Passenger flow monitoring Cycle and walking advice Accessibility Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon, and social value. Category C – Commercial Advice for Transport Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General commercial advice for transport Commercial advice for transport research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Commercial risk analysis, adjustment, and profiling Model structuring and development Revenue and incentivisation commercial advice Comparator and should cost modelling and associated business case support Commercial strategy development, delivery and assurance Contract administration and contract management Estimating, cost planning, cost data analysis and benchmarking Quantitative cost risk analysis including Monte Carlo analysis Package-specific bid evaluation support Business and commercial model design Model analysis and testing of commercial models Supply chain mapping Commercial due diligence Project management commercial advice Procurement process management Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category D – Transport Infrastructure and Asset Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and general transport asset management and advice Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and assets research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Transport infrastructure predictive and preventative strategic support and advice Transport hub design, layout, logistics, passenger & pedestrian movement and facilities Stations - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Airports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Ports – including access, property, parking, mobility and security Depots and stabling - strategy and advice Signaling and systems - strategy and advice Rolling stock - strategy and advice Rolling stock - management, acceptance, planning, leasing In operation facilities and services Technical due diligence General transport engineering, feasibility & operating advice Power / electrification including renewable and other energy sources strategy and advice Telecommunications and digital strategy and advice Intelligent infrastructure for asset management Package specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category E – Transport Project and Programme Management Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General project, programme and portfolio management advice Project, programme and portfolio management research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Programme partner Programme, project and portfolio management Programme, project and portfolio delivery Programme, project and portfolio controls, risk management and change control. Programme, project and portfolio assurance Integrated assurance Stakeholder management advice Project feasibility advice Project representative Enterprise, programme and project integration management Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
411,000,000
Amount
342,500,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
65
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
price
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
25
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Description
Please refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), Section 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.
For Reduction
Yes

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
31 Jul 2027, 00:00
Ends
30 Jul 2030, 23:59
Max Extent Date
30 Jul 2031, 23:59

Renewal

Description
The initial period for the framework is 3 years with the option to extend for a further year (3+1).
Entry 2
Id
Lot 2
Title
Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice
Description
Lot 2 provides Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice. Lot 2 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require interim general transport advisors, high calibre panel and review team resources and development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies. Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. This Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Category F – Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice Typical requirements include, but are not limited to: Sourcing interim general transport advisors Sourcing high calibre panel and review team resources. Development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
2

Value

Including VAT
9,000,000
Amount
7,500,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
65
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
price
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
25
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Description
Please refer to Section 2 (PSQ Methodology), Section 12 (Assessment, Scoring, Shortlisting and Tie-Break) of the PSQPD for full details of the selection process.
For Reduction
Yes

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
31 Jul 2027, 00:00
Ends
30 Jul 2030, 23:59
Max Extent Date
30 Jul 2031, 23:59

Renewal

Description
The initial period for the framework is 3 years with the option to extend for a further year (3+1).

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
71241000
Description
Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
71242000
Description
Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
71243000
Description
Draft plans (systems and integration)
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
71244000
Description
Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
71310000
Description
Consultative engineering and construction services
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311000
Description
Civil engineering consultancy services
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311200
Description
Transport systems consultancy services
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311230
Description
Railway engineering services
Entry 9
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311300
Description
Infrastructure works consultancy services
Entry 10
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313410
Description
Risk or hazard assessment for construction
Entry 11
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313420
Description
Environmental standards for construction
Entry 12
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313430
Description
Environmental indicators analysis for construction
Entry 13
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313440
Description
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction
Entry 14
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313450
Description
Environmental monitoring for construction
Entry 15
Scheme
CPV
Id
72240000
Description
Systems analysis and programming services
Entry 16
Scheme
CPV
Id
73210000
Description
Research consultancy services
Entry 17
Scheme
CPV
Id
73220000
Description
Development consultancy services
Entry 18
Scheme
CPV
Id
73300000
Description
Design and execution of research and development
Entry 19
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311100
Description
Survey design services
Entry 20
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311300
Description
Survey analysis services
Entry 21
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311410
Description
Economic impact assessment
Entry 22
Scheme
CPV
Id
79312000
Description
Market-testing services
Entry 23
Scheme
CPV
Id
79313000
Description
Performance review services
Entry 24
Scheme
CPV
Id
79314000
Description
Feasibility study
Entry 25
Scheme
CPV
Id
79315000
Description
Social research services
Entry 26
Scheme
CPV
Id
79411100
Description
Business development consultancy services
Entry 27
Scheme
CPV
Id
79412000
Description
Financial management consultancy services
Entry 28
Scheme
CPV
Id
79413000
Description
Marketing management consultancy services
Entry 29
Scheme
CPV
Id
79417000
Description
Safety consultancy services
Entry 30
Scheme
CPV
Id
79418000
Description
Procurement consultancy services
Entry 31
Scheme
CPV
Id
79419000
Description
Evaluation consultancy services
Entry 32
Scheme
CPV
Id
79421100
Description
Project-supervision services other than for construction work
Entry 33
Scheme
CPV
Id
79421200
Description
Project-design services other than for construction work

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 2
Id
Lot 2
Related Lot
Lot 2

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
71241000
Description
Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
71242000
Description
Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
71243000
Description
Draft plans (systems and integration)
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
71244000
Description
Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
71310000
Description
Consultative engineering and construction services
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311000
Description
Civil engineering consultancy services
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311200
Description
Transport systems consultancy services
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311230
Description
Railway engineering services
Entry 9
Scheme
CPV
Id
71311300
Description
Infrastructure works consultancy services
Entry 10
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313410
Description
Risk or hazard assessment for construction
Entry 11
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313420
Description
Environmental standards for construction
Entry 12
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313430
Description
Environmental indicators analysis for construction
Entry 13
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313440
Description
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction
Entry 14
Scheme
CPV
Id
71313450
Description
Environmental monitoring for construction
Entry 15
Scheme
CPV
Id
72240000
Description
Systems analysis and programming services
Entry 16
Scheme
CPV
Id
73210000
Description
Research consultancy services
Entry 17
Scheme
CPV
Id
73220000
Description
Development consultancy services
Entry 18
Scheme
CPV
Id
73300000
Description
Design and execution of research and development
Entry 19
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311100
Description
Survey design services
Entry 20
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311300
Description
Survey analysis services
Entry 21
Scheme
CPV
Id
79311410
Description
Economic impact assessment
Entry 22
Scheme
CPV
Id
79312000
Description
Market-testing services
Entry 23
Scheme
CPV
Id
79313000
Description
Performance review services
Entry 24
Scheme
CPV
Id
79314000
Description
Feasibility study
Entry 25
Scheme
CPV
Id
79315000
Description
Social research services
Entry 26
Scheme
CPV
Id
79411100
Description
Business development consultancy services
Entry 27
Scheme
CPV
Id
79412000
Description
Financial management consultancy services
Entry 28
Scheme
CPV
Id
79413000
Description
Marketing management consultancy services
Entry 29
Scheme
CPV
Id
79417000
Description
Safety consultancy services
Entry 30
Scheme
CPV
Id
79418000
Description
Procurement consultancy services
Entry 31
Scheme
CPV
Id
79419000
Description
Evaluation consultancy services
Entry 32
Scheme
CPV
Id
79421100
Description
Project-supervision services other than for construction work
Entry 33
Scheme
CPV
Id
79421200
Description
Project-design services other than for construction work

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
A-20002
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Format
application/octet-stream
Entry 3
Id
082843-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
1 Sept 2026, 16:44
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Department for Transport
Id
GB-PPON-PLTC-5358-LTWZ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PLTC-5358-LTWZ

Address

Street Address
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P 4DR
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI32

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1P 4DR · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

10 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

10 VERSIONS
  1. 001922-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 040153-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  3. 052185-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  4. 062434-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  5. 062455-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  6. 065627-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  7. 072876-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  8. 072885-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  9. 072886-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  10. 082843-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·