Professional services organisation GHD, in partnership with Costain, has been selected by the Department for Transport as a prime supplier on the department’s latest Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice for Rail and Other Transport Modes (STARThree) Framework.
The appointment will see GHD and Costain work in collaboration on this framework worth up to £600m in total, which will run over an initial two-year period with an option to extend by one or two years. Support will consist of GHD providing technical advisory and professional services as lead partner.
The partnership will provide specialist consultancy advice to support the aims of DfT as it delivers infrastructure projects across road, rail and aviation, and as critical partners to Government, will help the Department solve the UK’s biggest transport challenges, including reliability and safety, ageing infrastructure, decarbonisation, and economic uncertainty. We are committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and communities. The partnership builds upon the success of DfT’s previous framework, STARTwo, and continues a longstanding and collaborative relationship between the DfT, Costain and GHD.
Delivery will be supported by a highly specialist and experienced supply chain drawn from across the transport industry, with DfT targeting 40% of total expenditure to be spent with small and medium sized businesses to support local growth.
Jonathan Edwards, Market Development Leader EMEA comments: “GHD is committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and communities. Within transport we are focused on being the leading advisors and technical authorities in the movement of people and goods and on projects that improve connectivity.
“The STARThree Framework of the DfT is set to enable improved access to specialist technical and commercial advisory support nationally. Our selection, in partnership with Costain, highlights our ongoing commitment to the DfT and presents a remarkable opportunity for us to contribute to transforming the market and connecting and supporting communities for generations to come.”
Sue Kershaw, Managing Director of Transportation at Costain, said: “Costain’s selection as prime supplier recognises our industry-leading transport advisory services and commitment to improving people’s lives.
“Transforming and future-proofing our transport networks will be critical to ensuring growth and prosperity across the UK, as well as meeting net zero ambitions. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department for Transport to help solve some of the UK’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.
“The framework will also allow us to collaborate with key industry partners, like GHD, to harness skills, innovation and knowledge to drive a more productive and sustainable infrastructure network.”
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