A record-breaking £30bn construction works framework has been opened to small and large construction firms to support public sector projects.
The Construction Works and Associated Services commercial agreement will assist central government and the wider public sector to construct, refurbish, repair, demolish and decommission as required across the UK.
Designed by the government’s Crown Commercial Service (CCS), the framework is set to run over a seven-year period in a bid to instil confidence for long-term projects.
The cabinet office is on the hunt for firms to fill 38 lots of construction work across all government departments and public bodies which include local authorities, NHS trusts, schools, emergency services, housing associations, charities, and devolved administrations.
It’s the first time that construction framework designed by CCS and has had flexibility in mind to service a range of construction and civil engineering requirements across both central government and the wider public sector.
Officials say that prompt payment initiatives and project bank accounts have been incorporated into the framework to support supply chains.
Commenting, John Welch, CCS’s deputy director for construction, said: “This agreement will support construction and drive industry growth. Its lotting structure has been designed to maximise opportunities for all sizes of company and that includes SMEs, which play a key role in UK construction. For example, standardised payment terms and other fair payment objectives are embedded within the framework scope. This agreement also facilitates the use of digitisation in construction and promotes the use of innovative solutions via modern methods of construction.”