£5.5bn Flood Defence Super-Framework Opens for Bidding Across England

The Environment Agency has officially launched procurement for its next-generation £5.5 billion Collaborative Delivery Framework 2 (CDF2) — one of the largest flood and coastal defence programmes in the UK.

The eight-year framework, running from 2027 to 2035, will replace the current £3bn arrangement and support a nationwide pipeline of flood risk management, coastal defence, asset maintenance and environmental restoration projects.

Major Opportunity for Contractors and Consultants

The new framework is expected to appoint up to 16 suppliers, spanning both construction and design disciplines.

Under the current framework, major players include:

• BAM Nuttall

• Kier Group

• Jackson Civil Engineering

• VolkerStevin

  
  

With design partners such as:

• Arup

• AtkinsRéalis

• Jacobs

Regional Delivery and Project Scale

CDF2 will be structured across three geographic delivery panels:

• North

• Midlands & South West

• East & South East

Projects will range from smaller schemes under £5m to major works packages valued up to £150m.

The largest share of work is expected in the East & South East, with an estimated £1.39bn pipeline over the framework’s duration.

Shift Toward Nature-Based Solutions

A key evolution in this framework is the increased focus on nature-based solutions, combining traditional hard engineering with sustainable approaches to improve climate resilience.

This reflects a broader shift across UK infrastructure toward low-carbon, environmentally integrated delivery.

Procurement Timeline

• Applications deadline: 27 April 2026

• Framework award: October 2026

• Delivery start: February 2027

  
  

Procurement is now live via the Atamis portal, beginning with an assessment of technical capability, followed by full tender and behavioural evaluation stages.