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<p>The Government is committed to using robust evidence to guide policy decisions.
To that end the Department for Transport approached Atkins/CH2M, the Transport Research
Laboratory (TRL), WSP (and their partner Frazer Nash), Arup and Pell Frischmann through
the Highways England Procurement Framework to commission scientific research into
the effects of chronological age on the integrity of tyres.</p><p> </p><p>The first
tender exercise in June 2016 received no bids. Following further discussions in September
2016 with potential suppliers to improve their understanding of our requirements,
a second tender exercise was undertaken. However, this received only one response
in December 2016 which did not address the research questions raised.</p><p> </p><p>The
Department subsequently engaged direct with TRL who were invited to submit a formal
bid in December 2017. After careful consideration, TRL was awarded a 12-month contract
to the value of £250,000 in January 2018. This was announced to the House on 1 March
2018. The findings will be published.</p>
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