The pre-qualification window for £14bn worth of public sector frameworks has opened.

Scape Group outlined the timetable for its new generation of
construction frameworks, having extended their value by £1bn.

Contractors will have until Friday 13 November to respond to
the PQQ for each framework, following the contracts notice being submitted this
week.

The new suite of construction frameworks include the £12bn
framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a £2bn framework for
Scotland – which builds on Scape’s existing National Construction and Minor
Works frameworks.

The opening of the PQQ process follows a summer of market
engagement, with more than 370 contractors and public sector organisations
expressing interest in the new frameworks at a series of virtual events hosted
by Scape.

Scape, which is currently supporting more than 1,800 public
sector built environment projects, intends to issue invitations to tender (ITT)
in early February 2021 before the successful contractors are named next
summer. 

The four-year frameworks – which are available to all public
sector organisations and have the option to be extended by two years – will
accelerate the delivery of innovative and high-quality construction projects
across all sectors and values between 2021 and 2025.

John Simons, head of procurement and audit at Scape Group,
said: “These frameworks have been developed to offer greater choice and control
to the public sector at a time when it has been tasked with the all-important
role of leading the UK’s economic recovery. Based on 15 years of Scape
experience, they offer a progressive approach to procuring against the
ever-expanding range of objectives set out by our public sector colleagues as
they seek both genuine innovation and compliance.

“While our frameworks will continue to offer a fully
managed, direct award experience that has become synonymous with Scape, it has
been rewarding to see the positive response to the unique parallel lotting
approach we’re bringing to market.”

Mark Robinson, Scape group chief executive said: “It’s clear
that issues such as social value, local spend, carbon neutrality and lifecycle
forecasting are becoming more important than ever before in improving the world
around us.

“As we all look to play our part in supporting the covid-19 recovery, these frameworks will help our clients achieve those objectives whilst providing a critical platform for contractors to shine in years to come.”