Marlborough District Council wants to hear from contractors with relevant skills and experience to register their interest in a new road maintenance procurement process for the Marlborough Sounds.

Richard Coningham, Group Manager Infrastructure and Services, said the Sounds’ road maintenance works were currently managed by Marlborough Roads (a partnership between Council and NZTA) under a Network Outcomes Contract (NOC).

“Marlborough Roads is moving away from the NOC to an integrated delivery model (IDM), part of a national change by NZTA which will result in road maintenance being delivered under a new measure and value contract.”

“As part of the transition, road maintenance in the Sounds will be removed from the NOC contract, meaning work there will be tendered for and delivered through contestable local packages. The new contract will run from April 2026 to June 2029.”

“This is an opportunity for contracting firms who already have a footprint in the Sounds - and will be familiar with its terrain and challenges - to become part of the Council’s road maintenance programme.”

“The change in contract structure to the IDM has allowed Council to review how roading maintenance is delivered in the Sounds. The new approach also reflects the feedback received from the Sounds community in recent years.”

Key tasks include inspections and planned maintenance of roading surfaces, drainage, structures, paths and vehicle crossings.

For further information contractors can contact Ross McPhie, who represents Council for this Requests for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process. Ross is available on (03) 546 0624 or at ross.mcphie@stantec.com

An online meeting will be held at 9am on 1 October to familiarise participants with the REOI documents and give an opportunity for informal discussion and clarification.

The REOI documents on Council’s website explain all the requirements including information required, health and safety expectations and insurance. Go to www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/tenders

Interested parties must register their contact details online to be sent the link for the online meeting. Contractors can also sign up for future tender notifications from the web page.

REOIs should be submitted no later than 8 October 2025. REOIs will help shape how the road maintenance contracts are developed for the Request for Tender stage, which will begin on 18 November and close on 16 December 2025.

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