Public sector procurement specialist SCAPE has outlined the timetable for its new £750m regional construction framework serving the Midlands and east of England and contractors are now able to respond to a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire to submit their interest to bid.

Following a summer of extensive market engagement, during which over 160 contractors engaged with SCAPE to learn more about the opportunity, the procurement authority expects to complete the first round of assessment by December 2021.

Successful contractors will then be invited to tender this winter, with public sector organisations in the Midlands and east of England able to access the framework from August 2022.

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

Public sector organisations 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 whilst helping them to achieve their net zero ambitions.

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 new framework is SCAPE’s 4th generation framework that has been designed to exclusively serve this region.

The contractors selected will operate within the framework’s unique parallel lotting structure which, following engagement with public sector buyers, will provide an option for SCAPE’s clients to engage early with multiple contractors before awarding a project.

The framework will provide further flexibility by offering a ‘client 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. This is alongside new ‘net zero-ready’ features that will support the public sector’s ambitious sustainability goals and an effective response to the climate emergency.

The new £750m framework will be structured into 4 regions:

Lot 1 & 2: Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire.

Lot 3 & 4: Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland.

Lot 5 & 6: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex.

Lot 7 & 8: Norfolk, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk.

Adrian Hill, acting deputy managing director at SCAPE, said: “The public sector continues to play a vital role in the economic recovery of regions across the UK, including the Midlands and east of England. Speaking with contractors this summer, it’s clear that innovative, large-scale frameworks – based on a bedrock of rigour and compliance – are at the forefront of their growth plans as they look to develop long-lasting relationships with regeneration-focused local authorities and public sector organisations.

“Through the positive evolution of our regional framework – which includes a greater focus on helping clients address the climate emergency and their 2030 net zero targets – we hope to accelerate the delivery of great spaces and places that benefit local communities and generate extensive social value. The level of interest from local contractors to date means we can look forward to assembling another team of high-quality delivery partners committed to creating even greater outcomes and a positive legacy for projects across the region.”

Prospective bidders can click here to access the Scape PQQ.