The next generation of the Southern Construction Framework is set to increase in value to reflect higher demand and the inclusion of lower-value workstreams, according to a preliminary market engagement notice published today (22 August).
Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council have launched early market engagement for the sixth-generation framework (SCF6), valued at £5.4bn including VAT and expected to launch in May 2027 when the previous iteration expires.
The current SCF5, which was launched in 2023, is capped at £4.5bn and involves 11 contractors such as Galliford Try, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Wates and Willmott Dixon.
It has already reached £1.59bn of work — more than 80 per cent of its £1.92bn workload target — with nearly half of its term remaining.
SCF6 will cover all projects above £1m and will be structured into value and geographic lots, the notice said.
While the framework will remain focused on the South East, South West and London, it will be open to all public sector bodies in England.
The two councils are considering merging local frameworks for lower-value projects into SCF6. This follows recent efforts to align smaller schemes under the SCF brand to reduce supplier bidding costs and improve consistency.
A shift in procurement approach is also under review. The SCF has traditionally relied on two-stage procurement, but for SCF6 the councils may adopt single-stage or hybrid approaches for lower-value lots, responding to a decline in client demand for two-stage tenders.
Kingsley Clarke, head of SCF South West, said: “Whilst SCF will always promote and foster early contractor engagement and a collaborative approach to secure the best outcomes for project delivery, we acknowledge that we need to consider being more open to a single stage or hybrid approach to projects of a certain value, and welcome contractor contributions on this and more.”
A formal tender notice for SCF6 is expected in March 2026 – two months later than previously announced.
Interested firms have until 17 October 2025 to complete a survey, with follow-up 1:1 engagement meetings scheduled for September and October. A supplier event is expected in January 2026.
Suppliers must be able to operate across the South of England and London, the market engagement notice said.
SCF has traditionally operated on projects over £4m, with both Devon and Hampshire councils having domestic frameworks supporting the delivery of projects below this value.
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender/SCF announcement
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Ben Vogel