Wirral Council has launched a £1.2bn framework for public sector construction, infrastructure and demolition work across the North West.
The four-year procurement, being run in partnership with Procure Partnerships Framework, is the third generation of the North West Contractor Framework and follows a market engagement session earlier this summer. Contractors are now invited to submit bids ahead of the deadline on 13 October.
The new framework will sit alongside Procure Partnerships’ existing National Contractor Framework and Professional Services Framework.
The second-generation North West framework has supported more than 150 public sector schemes, including for NHS trusts, local authorities, housing associations and blue light services.
Faye Dolan, framework director at Procure Partnerships Framework, said: “Following an incredibly positive market engagement session, we’re delighted to officially launch the tender process for our third-generation North West Contractor Framework.
The level of interest and insight shared by suppliers has been invaluable in shaping a framework that reflects the needs of both the market and our public sector clients.”
She added: “This is an exciting step forward as we continue to support the delivery of essential public sector projects across the region. We’re looking forward to receiving strong submissions from a diverse contractor base.”
The framework includes 13 lots. Six cover general construction projects ranging in value from £50,000 to more than £30m. A further six cover infrastructure schemes of similar value bands.
One lot is reserved for demolition projects of up to £2.5m in Merseyside.
The council intends to appoint up to 10 firms to each lot, except for the demolition lot, which will see one firm appointed with one reserve.
Tenderers can bid for up to three adjacent lots in each of the construction and infrastructure categories, and may also apply for the demolition lot.
Contracts will use fixed overhead and profit rates, alongside established hourly rates. Call-offs may be delivered as design and build or build-only, using NEC or JCT forms of contract.
Two-stage, single-stage and direct award routes are permitted.
Demolition works may also use the National Federation of Demolition Contractors Direct Contract (2023 edition).
Direct awards will be available to clients using criteria set out under the Procurement Act 2023, including original framework rankings, commercial rates, and performance against key performance indicators. Mini-competitions are also permitted.
The estimated values of individual lots range from £10m to £185m, excluding VAT, with the demolition lot valued at £50m.
Framework fees will range from 0.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent, and will be included in the submitted overhead and profit rates.
Successful bidders will be ranked from one to 10 on each lot. The council may award more than 10 places where scores are tied, but also reserves the right to leave lots partially filled if bidders score below 50 per cent on evaluation.
The framework will be open to a wide range of public sector organisations in the North West and Merseyside regions. A future tender for the next generation is expected to be issued in 2029.
North West Contractor Framework Lots
Construction Lots (Lots 1–6):
- Lot 1: £50,000 – £500,000 (Est. value: £12m)
- Lot 2: £500,000 – £1m (Est. value: £30m)
- Lot 3: £1m – £5m (Est. value: £108m)
- Lot 4: £5m – £15m (Est. value: £156m)
- Lot 5: £15m – £30m (Est. value: £192m)
- Lot 6: £30m+ (Est. value: £222m)
Infrastructure Lots (Lots 7–12):
- Lot 7: £50,000 – £500,000 (Est. value: £12m)
- Lot 8: £500,000 – £1m (Est. value: £24m)
- Lot 9: £1m – £5m (Est. value: £48m)
- Lot 10: £5m – £15m (Est. value: £72m)
- Lot 11: £15m – £30m (Est. value: £120m)
- Lot 12: £30m+ (Est. value: £144m)
Demolition Lot (Lot 13):
- Lot 13: £0 – £2.5m (Est. value: £60m; Merseyside only)
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender / Procure press release
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Ben Vogel