HS2 has launched a market engagement exercise for a proposed £1.24bn package of interim maintenance contracts associated with the high-speed rail programme.
The contracts are intended to cover the repair, maintenance and safeguarding of assets delivered under HS2’s main works civils contracts ahead of the mobilisation of future rail systems contractors.
HS2 said the Interim Maintenance Contracts (IMCs) could run from December 2027 through to the end of 2037, with the total estimated value put at £1.24bn including VAT.
The scope of works includes land management, maintenance of environmental and landscape infrastructure, temporary facilities management and civil engineering infrastructure maintenance.
In addition, the contracts are expected to include security services, principal contractor duties and professional services. Optional elements may cover landscape design, planted plot creation and localised civils works.
The procurement forms part of preparations for changes to the project’s delivery model under the government-backed HS2 reset programme.
In the market engagement notice, HS2 said it wanted to assess supplier appetite, delivery structures and approaches to risk allocation ahead of launching a formal procurement process later this year.
The client added that it was seeking feedback on potential consortium structures, specialist capabilities and commercial arrangements.
HS2 also confirmed that participation in the market engagement exercise would not be a prerequisite for bidding in any future tender competition.
A tender notice is expected to be published in November 2026.
