Local authority controlled company Scape has invited expressions of interest from contractors for its National Major Works Framework.
The existing arrangement, currently delivered by Willmott Dixon, is nearing capacity in terms of the total value of projects (£350m) procured through it.
It is estimated that the new deal will be worth three times that amount (£1bn) over the next four years, as more public sector organisations seek to deliver essential construction and building schemes within tighter budgets and timeframes.
The invitation to submit expressions of interest is now live on the OJEU website. Interested contractors need to make their submissions by Monday November 26, 2012, at which point the successful six shortlisted firms will be invited to full tender stage.
Mark Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Scape, said: “The scope of the brief has been broadened out in response to feedback from our public sector clients. As well as looking for value for money, there will be a greater emphasis this time round for contractors to demonstrate their regeneration credentials.
“That’s because many of the schemes going through this framework aren’t simply about bricks and mortar; these are projects that are designed to inject much needed growth into local economies by cutting out waste and bureaucracy.”
Scape has gone from strength to strength in recent years, particularly since tough austerity measures and budget cuts were introduced by Government. The number of public sector clients using Scape has tripled in the last two years.
Aside from offering cost and time saving benefits to customers, Scape makes it contractually binding for all framework contractors to employ local workers and suppliers. This is proving extremely popular with authorities and councils, who are facing increasing pressure to ensure employment and business opportunities are maximised in their area.
In addition to minor works, Scape currently also offers three other national frameworks - minor works (Kier), cost consultancy (Pick Everard) and professional services (Faithful + Gould). Combined, these offer speed of delivery and a quick route to market, across the whole spectrum of building and construction services.
Scape specialises in providing a range of national and regional procurement frameworks so that the UK public sector can procure construction services more quickly and efficiently without having to go through lengthy and costly OJEU processes.
The firm also offers a range of tried and tested pre-designed building solutions across sectors including education, health, leisure and blue light services.
