Public sector procurement specialists the Scape Group has opened the pre-qualification window for its £14bn next-generation construction frameworks, having extended their value by £1bn.

Contractors from across the UK will have until Friday 13 November to respond to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) for each framework, including the £12bn framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a £2bn framework for Scotland – which builds on the success of Scape’s existing National Construction and Minor Works frameworks.

Following a positive response and feedback to the frameworks’ parallel lotting structure, Scape has now added a further £1bn lot for principal works to provide commissioning clients with the option to engage early with two contractors before awarding projects.

The opening of the PQQ process follows a summer of successful market engagement, with more than 370 contractors and public sector organisations expressing interest in the new frameworks at a series of virtual events hosted by Scape.

Scape, which is currently supporting more than 1,800 public sector built environment projects, intends to issue invitations to tender (ITT) in early February 2021 before the successful contractors are named next summer. 

The four-year frameworks – which are available to all public sector organisations and have the option to be extended by two years – will accelerate the delivery of innovative and high-quality construction projects across all sectors and values between 2021 and 2025.

The successful contractors announced next year are expected to be able to meet the extensive sustainability ambitions of the public sector, as set out in Scape’s environmental policy which makes commitments to carbon-neutral building design as standard by 2025.

Commenting on the next phase of the framework tendering process, John Simons, head of procurement and audit at Scape Group, said: “These frameworks have been developed to offer greater choice and control to the public sector at a time when it has been tasked with the all-important role of leading the UK’s economic recovery. Based on 15 years of Scape experience, they offer a progressive approach to procuring against the ever-expanding range of objectives set out by our public sector colleagues as they seek both genuine innovation and compliance.

“Whilst our frameworks will continue to offer a fully managed, direct award experience that has become synonymous with Scape, it has been rewarding to see the positive response to the unique parallel lotting approach we’re bringing to market.”

Mark Robinson, Scape group chief executive said: “It’s clear that issues such as social value, local spend, carbon neutrality and lifecycle forecasting are becoming more important than ever before in improving the world around us. As we all look to play our part in supporting the Covid-19 recovery, these frameworks will help our clients achieve those objectives whilst providing a critical platform for contractors to shine in years to come.”

Click here to view full details of the frameworks.