Public sector procurement specialists SCAPE are beginning the search for contractors to support its new £750m next generation regional construction framework to serve the East Midlands and East of England.

Part of the SCAPE construction suite of direct award frameworks, the new framework will launch in June 2022 and help local authorities and public sector organisations to accelerate the procurement of construction projects up to a value of £7.5m. 

Public bodies using the framework will gain instant access to high quality construction contractors and an extensive local supply chain, supporting the delivery of projects that will generate social value, training, apprenticeships and leave a positive legacy for local communities.

The new four-year framework will build on the positive impact of SCAPE’s existing regional construction framework which has successfully delivered 362 projects to date. This current framework is due to expire in Summer 2022.

Following detailed consultation with public sector clients in these regions, SCAPE claims that a new innovative feature to this framework is a unique parallel lotting structure, which will provide an option to engage early with multiple contractors before awarding a project.

In response to additional feedback from clients, this framework will provide further flexibility by offering a ‘commercial choice’ option in addition to a direct award procurement pathway, as part of the contractor selection process. Those organisations procuring projects through the framework will also benefit from the removal of value bands within the new structure, providing clients with greater choice over which contractors and services they would like to select.

An important new feature of the framework is the lifecycle agreement that will be supported by the successful delivery partners. The agreement will enable the adoption and achievement of ambitious sustainability goals and deliver vastly improved building performance to support an effective response to the climate emergency.

The new £750m framework will be structured into four regions:

• Lot 1&2: Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire;
• Lot 3&4: Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland;
• Lot 5&6: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex;
• Lot 7&8: Norfolk, Suffolk, Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

John Simons, acting group procurement director at SCAPE, said: “This evolution of the framework comes at a time of critical importance for our public sector colleagues, as they begin to put their post-Covid recovery strategies into action and work towards the net zero target for 2030. By introducing a parallel lotting structure within a direct award framework, we feel that we can help to clear a path to achieving those objectives, whilst maintaining a bedrock of rigour, compliance and client support.

“By evolving this framework offer, we will provide a simplified and high-quality route to market that will enable clients to get projects off the ground quickly through delivery partners who have the expertise to help them achieve their ambitions.”

Adrian Hill, acting deputy managing director at SCAPE, said: “Our role is to facilitate positive relationships between the private and public sector. Underpinned by a model that has a proven track record of successful delivery, we believe that this latest framework will not only nurture those partnerships and deliver great spaces and places, but will ensure each and every project drives even better economic outcomes for local communities.

“Construction contractors need confidence to grow their businesses and employ new staff from their local communities. This framework offers contractors a four-year framework that, through collaboration, will help them to deliver projects that will keep the pound local, create security for their businesses and tangible social value, whilst helping clients realise the potential of their estate.” 

Invitations to tender are expected to be announced at the end of this year following a period of pre-market engagement later this summer.

Prospective bidders can click here to register their interest in attending SCAPE’s upcoming market awareness webinar for the new SCAPE Construction framework.