Firms sought to develop public sector refurb framework

Specialist contractors are being sought to help shape a multimillion-pound refurbishment and retrofit framework for the public sector.

Not-for-profit framework provider LHC is looking for specialists to take part in market engagement and to provide feedback on initial proposals for its Refurbishment and Associated Retrofit Works (RR3) framework.

RR3, which replaces LHC’s Whole House Refurbishment and Associated Works (WH2) arrangement, includes non-residential projects, as well as associated retrofit works as part of wider refurbishment.

It will cover multidisciplinary refurbishment, external works, electrical works, kitchens and bathrooms and associated services, as well as painting and decorating.

Dean Fazackerley, head of technical procurement at LHC, said it was a rare opportunity to collaborate on a framework that would provide refurbishment solutions for public sector organisations across the country.

“As a sector, we’ve got a mammoth task on our hands to refurbish and retrofit the UK’s social housing stock and improve our public buildings, especially following the disruption to existing refurbishment programmes caused by COVID,” he said.

“This framework will help our clients deliver key preventative maintenance and improvement works on their properties and help support them in their journey towards the 2050 net-zero target.”

Input from SMEs and innovators in the field would be especially welcome, alongside contributions from larger organisations, Fazackerley said.

“Early marketplace engagement is an integral part of our development process at LHC and is crucial in helping us identify the expertise out there in the marketplace, as well as needs across the public sector,” he said.

The new framework will be available through LHC’s business units across the country, including Scottish Procurement Alliance, Consortium Procurement Construction, Welsh Procurement Alliance, South-West Procurement Alliance, and LHC London and South East England.

Prospective suppliers are invited to register here for a pre-tender engagement webinar to be held on 21 February.

Applications will open when tender documents for the framework become available in early June.

Contractors can register early interest in the framework and sign up for further updates here.

In September, more than 30 suppliers were appointed to LHC’s £1bn public sector framework for the construction of new homes.