Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) has officially launched a major tender for the procurement of contractors to deliver the Phase 1a infrastructure works at Ebbsfleet Central.

Ebbsfleet Central is the forthcoming civic and commercial nucleus of the Ebbsfleet Garden City project in North Kent. This announcement marks a significant step forward in the ongoing regeneration initiative that aims to create a pioneering 21st-century Garden City anchored by Ebbsfleet International Train Station.

Established in 2015 with the backing of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), EDC has spearheaded efforts to unlock up to 15,000 new homes alongside extensive urban renewal. To date, 5,000 new homes have already been completed, signalling strong progress towards the ambitious housing target. Ebbsfleet Central, designed as the urban heart of the masterplan, will also embrace new parks, green corridors, improved public transport and expanded job opportunities to serve existing and incoming residents.

The current procurement invites bids for two distinct contract lots under the EC2 Infrastructure Works, each reflecting key components of the planned development.

Lot 1 covers highways, utilities, and associated landscaping, valued at £55M excluding VAT (£66M including VAT), while Lot 2 encompasses buildings, structures and associated landscaping, with an estimated worth of £60M excluding VAT (£72M including VAT). Collectively, the project’s estimated value reaches £115M excluding VAT (£138M including VAT).

Potential contractors have until 2 February 2026 to submit enquiries, with tenders due by 16 February 2026, with an award decision expected in early 2027. The contract is set to run from April 2028 through to May 2030, with a discretionary extension possible until August 2030 to accommodate any unforeseen delays.

EDC has stated that contractors may tender for one or both Lots and the Corporation retains the right to amalgamate contracts if a single contractor is selected for multiple lots. This approach could streamline delivery and enhance coordination across the project’s wide-ranging works.

The tender process itself is structured in three main stages. The initial Invitation to Participate stage requires interested firms to complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire, through which EDC will shortlist the top five compliant suppliers per lot to advance to the next stage. The subsequent Invitation to Tender stage will see shortlisted bidders submit detailed proposals including commercial terms and social value commitments, with mid-tender interviews to clarify expectations. From this stage, one preferred supplier per lot, or potentially a single supplier covering both, will be identified.

The final phase involves Preliminary Contractor Support Agreements (PCSA), where the preferred contractors collaborate closely with the design team to refine designs under RIBA Stage 4 and negotiate fixed contract sums within an open book framework. This stage ensures that proposed works align precisely with client requirements and value-for-money standards before formal contracts are awarded. Importantly, contracts will only be finalised following approval of the Final Business Case by central government.

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