Eastern Procurement is carrying out market engagement for a new Asset Sustainability, Improvement and Decarbonisation Framework worth an estimated £450 million including VAT. The framework is intended primarily for registered providers of social housing and stock-holding local authorities, with a broad scope covering property improvement, compliance, repairs, retrofit and professional services.
The opportunity is still at preliminary market engagement stage. Suppliers therefore have a chance to influence the final structure before the tender is currently expected to be published on 1 November 2026.
If your organisation delivers housing improvement, retrofit or related consultancy services, speak to Thornton & Lowe about preparing for the framework now.
A broad 15-area scope
Eastern Procurement says the final framework could include:
- Kitchen installations
- Bathroom installations
- Disabled adaptation works
- Electrical rewires, upgrades, repairs, installation and testing
- Repointing and associated works
- Insulation works
- Estate improvement works
- Decarbonisation and associated works
- Day-to-day and backlog repairs and voids
- Structural works
- Project management services
- Internal and external decorating
- Grant bidding services
- Retrofit assessment and coordination
- Fire safety works
Decarbonisation itself includes potential building energy management, lighting, renewable energy, glazing and heating improvements. Some projects may depend on grant funding. The official Find a Tender notice sets out the current proposed scope and engagement process.
National coverage with a social housing core
Eastern Procurement's core membership is concentrated in the East of England and parts of the Midlands, but the proposed contract locations extend across England, Wales, Scotland and the Crown Dependencies. That makes the framework relevant to both regional contractors and suppliers with wider delivery coverage. The notice specifically identifies SMEs as suitable.
The breadth of the scope is important commercially. This is not only a retrofit framework. Traditional planned works contractors, repairs providers, fire-safety specialists, electrical contractors and professional consultants could all have a route into the final structure. Our decarbonisation tenders guide provides wider context on public sector retrofit, energy efficiency and net zero procurement.
Why market engagement matters
Eastern Procurement is asking suppliers to help it understand capability, current market conditions and how the framework should be structured. Responses can therefore inform lotting, specification and the practical commercial model.
Suppliers should use the engagement questionnaire to raise genuine delivery issues, for example:
- whether specialisms should be separated or combined
- appropriate geographic coverage
- realistic contract values and work bands
- accreditation and certification requirements
- mobilisation and resident liaison expectations
- supply-chain constraints
- pricing and inflation risks
- grant-funded programme timescales
- PAS 2035 requirements for retrofit work
Engagement should be constructive and evidence-based. The objective is to help the buyer design a workable framework, not to submit an early sales pitch.
What suppliers should prepare for the tender
The final evaluation criteria are not yet published, but suppliers can begin developing evidence around:
- social housing or occupied-property experience
- resident communication and safeguarding
- health and safety in live residential environments
- programme and resource management
- quality inspection and defect management
- environmental performance and carbon reduction
- retrofit qualifications where relevant
- fire safety and statutory compliance
- supply-chain management
- social value and local employment
- project reporting and customer service
For multidisciplinary bids, be clear about which activities are delivered directly and which rely on subcontractors or specialist partners.
Quick facts
- Buyer: Eastern Procurement Limited
- Estimated value: £450m including VAT
- Stage: Preliminary market engagement
- Potential service areas: 15
- Main category: Works
- SME suitable: Yes
- Engagement deadline: 25 September 2026
- Estimated tender publication: 1 November 2026
- Planned framework term: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031
Use the engagement period to make an informed bid decision
The framework's breadth and value make it a significant housing-sector opportunity, but the final shape is still being developed. Suppliers should engage now, then reassess their fit once the lot structure and award criteria are confirmed.
Thornton & Lowe works with contractors, retrofit specialists and consultancies bidding into social housing frameworks. Contact our team if you want help preparing for Eastern Procurement's Asset Sustainability, Improvement and Decarbonisation Framework.
