SCAPE has opened procurement for an £8bn Construction Works and Services Framework, creating a new route for public-sector organisations to procure construction, housing, retrofit and maintenance programmes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

SCAPE is a public-sector-owned procurement specialist that provides frameworks and delivery solutions for local authorities and other public bodies. Its existing Construction Framework has delivered more than 240 completed projects. The new framework is intended to build on that model while giving clients greater choice and flexibility over delivery partners. The announcement was reported by the New Civil Engineer.

The framework will run from 2027 to 2031, with an option for a two-year extension. It comprises five lots covering construction in England, residential construction including decarbonisation, retrofit and maintenance, construction and housing in Wales, and separate lower- and upper-value requirements in Northern Ireland.

Three delivery partners will be appointed to each lot. This gives public-sector buyers the ability to run project-specific competition and select delivery partners according to individual requirements rather than relying on a single supplier arrangement.

The procurement approach also reflects the importance of market engagement in shaping major public frameworks. SCAPE developed the framework following engagement with public-sector organisations and more than 100 construction industry organisations, providing input into how the lots and delivery model should operate.

For procurement teams, the value of the framework lies in combining a compliant route to market with greater flexibility. Buyers can access established suppliers while retaining the ability to assess project-specific requirements, creating a more structured approach to managing construction procurement across different programmes.

The £2bn residential lot adds another dimension. Its inclusion of decarbonisation, retrofit, repair and maintenance means the framework extends beyond capital construction into the longer-term management and improvement of public assets.

The framework also creates potential value for suppliers. Appointment to a lot can provide access to a wider pipeline of public-sector opportunities while creating opportunities to develop longer-term relationships with clients and demonstrate capability across different project requirements.

The development comes alongside SCAPE's separate £8.5bn Defence and Complex Environments Framework, which was launched following market engagement that identified demand for a dedicated procurement route for secure and complex construction environments. New Civil Engineer reported on that procurement earlier this month.

For the sector, the SCAPE framework highlights how public procurement is increasingly moving towards structured, long-term supplier management rather than individual project purchasing. The £8bn programme creates a framework through which buyers can balance compliance, competition, supplier capability and long-term delivery requirements.

Source: New Civil Engineer / SCAPE