The Communities and Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) has launched procurement for a building materials supply framework worth up to £1.94bn.
Running from May 2026 to April 2034, the eight-year framework will cover the supply and delivery of materials including plumbing, electrical, retrofitting, ironmongery, glazing, roofing, timber and flooring.
Painting and decorating materials, managed stores, tools and plant hire are also included.
CHIC is procuring the framework on behalf of its members, along with Efficiency North and other public sector clients that may join during its lifetime.
The contract will be available to CHIC members’ directly managed workforces and external contractors delivering responsive repairs, void maintenance, planned works, retrofit schemes and compliance work.
The framework comprises a dozen lots, with the largest by value – £984m – covering retrofit materials. Other high-value lots include general building materials (£186m), plumbing products (£167m), and electrical goods (£152m).
A lot for specialist materials has been valued at £158m, while painting and decorating materials are expected to account for £72m.
A managed-store lot for consortia of merchants is forecast to be worth £153.6m, and separate lots cover waste management, van stock software and tool hire.
A maximum 4 per cent fee may be charged to suppliers.
Suppliers may be required to provide services through over-the-counter branches, delivered services or bespoke managed stores, depending on the lot.
Contractors will be expected to submit core price lists and catalogues during the tender stage.
Prices will be reviewed quarterly to reflect market conditions, with members able to run mini-competitions for specific projects.
CHIC said the extended eight-year term is necessary due to the time and investment required to integrate IT systems between suppliers and contracting authorities.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 3 February 2026.
A contract award is expected on 15 April 2026.
CHIC framework lots
- Plumbing – £166.8m
- Electrical – £152.4m
- General building materials (optional plumbing and electrical) – £186m
- Managed stores (optional plumbing and electrical) – £12m
- Merchant consortia managed store – £153.6m
- Painting and decorating – £72m
- Specialist materials – £158.4m
- Tools – £12m
- Hire (tools and plant) – £30m
- Waste management – £12m
- Retrofit materials – £984m
- Van stock software – £4.8m