Scape opens GBP8bn framework for public sector construction delivery

SCAPE has issued the Tender Notice for its next-generation Construction Works & Services Framework, a GBP8bn procurement covering public sector construction across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The framework is expected to run from 2027 to 2031, with an option to extend by up to two further years, and is being procured under the Procurement Act 2023, the legislation that replaced the UK's previous public contracts regime.

The framework will give public sector organisations a compliant, actively managed route to market for new-build, refurbishment, retrofit, housing, repair and maintenance, and longer-term programmes of work. SCAPE says it is aimed at bodies including local authorities, blue light services — police, fire and ambulance — housing associations and universities, which need an accelerated procurement route without running a separate tender process for every project.

The framework is divided into five sector- and geography-based lots, with up to three delivery partners appointed to each and up to 15 places across the framework as a whole. Construction Enquirer reports that SCAPE plans to fill all three places on every lot.

The largest lot is a GBP4bn construction works and services package for England, spanning projects from small-scale works to schemes exceeding GBP500m. It covers all sectors, including education, blue light, health, sports and leisure, offices, civic buildings, industrial, commercial, retail and housing, across both new build and refurbishment. Bidders must demonstrate turnover of at least GBP150m a year.

A second England lot, with GBP2bn of capacity, covers residential construction, decarbonisation, retrofit, and repair and maintenance, including work arising from the Building Safety Act and longer-term term service programmes. It spans the same range as the main England lot, from small works to schemes above GBP500m, but sets a lower entry threshold of GBP75m annual turnover.

Wales has a GBP1bn construction, housing, works and services lot covering schemes from smaller works to those exceeding GBP150m, with a GBP75m turnover requirement. SCAPE says the lot is tailored to Welsh policy, delivery models and sector requirements.

Northern Ireland is split into two lots by project value rather than sector: a GBP250m lower-value package for projects up to GBP15m, requiring GBP20m annual turnover, and a GBP750m upper-value package for projects of GBP10m and above, requiring GBP75m. The bands overlap between GBP10m and GBP15m, so schemes in that range could be let through either. SCAPE says both lots reflect regional market conditions and public sector priorities.

SCAPE describes each of these figures as lot capacity. This is a general point about how frameworks of this type work rather than a statement about this procurement: a framework value is the ceiling on work that may be called off over the term, not a commitment to spend, and consumed capacity over the four years may fall well short of the headline figure.

Craig Murphy, director of frameworks at SCAPE, said the framework responds to "an evolved legislative environment alongside demand for greater choice and flexibility" over delivery partners, informed by market engagement with contractors and public sector organisations.

SCAPE says the framework embeds early contractor involvement (ECI) — bringing the contractor into the project before the design is fixed — to reduce risk, improve buildability and support long-term value for money, alongside strengthened environmental and social value requirements. ECI matters most on refurbishment, retrofit and housing work, where existing building conditions, access constraints and decarbonisation requirements generate uncertainty that is cheaper to resolve before construction starts than after.

The new framework replaces SCAPE's existing construction framework, which has delivered more than 240 completed projects and currently supports around 100 live schemes. It was redesigned following market engagement with public sector bodies and more than 100 construction industry organisations. Construction Enquirer names the present incumbents as GRAHAM, Kier, Mace, McLaughlin & Harvey, Morgan Sindall, Sisk and Willmott Dixon.

The procurement also explains the arrival of SCAPE's separate GBP8.5bn Defence and Complex Environments Framework earlier this month. A defence lot was originally proposed within the Construction Works & Services Framework, but SCAPE separated it into a standalone framework after market engagement identified demand for a dedicated defence route, with commercial and contractual arrangements tailored to enhanced security and operational requirements. That framework is at an earlier stage, having reached only Preliminary Market Engagement Notice, and covers Scotland as well as England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

SCAPE's published timetable runs the selection questionnaire stage and evaluation from August to October 2026, the invitation to tender stage from November 2026 to May 2027, and a contract award notice in June or July 2027, with framework mobilisation and launch in August or September 2027. The Tender Notice is published on the UK government's Find a Tender service as notice 080600-2026.