The London Borough of Bexley has published its 6278 Building Services Framework, a multi-lot procurement with an estimated total value of £19.92 million including VAT. The framework covers 11 lots across fire risk, water risk, asbestos, fire door surveys, building condition surveys, cleaning, lift services, planned maintenance, reactive repairs, residential property maintenance, and minor disability adaptations.
For suppliers working in building compliance, specialist inspections, maintenance or property support services, this is a framework worth reviewing carefully. If you are considering whether to bid, contact Thornton & Lowe for a practical review of lot fit, submission approach and bid competitiveness.
What the 6278 Building Services Framework covers
This is not a single-category opportunity. The framework is split into 11 specialist lots:
- Lot 1: Fire Risk Assessments
- Lot 2: Water Risk Assessments
- Lot 3: Asbestos Assessments
- Lot 4: Fire Door Surveys
- Lot 5: Building Condition Surveys
- Lot 6: Cleaning Services for Corporate Buildings and Public Facilities in Parks & Open Spaces
- Lot 7: Lift Services for Corporate Buildings
- Lot 8: Planned and Preventative Corporate Building Maintenance and Remedial Repairs
- Lot 9: Reactive Repairs to Corporate Buildings
- Lot 10: Planned, Preventative and Responsive Residential Property Maintenance and Compliance Services
- Lot 11: Minor Disability Adaptations in Privately Owned Properties
That spread makes the framework relevant to both niche providers and broader maintenance businesses. Some suppliers may be strongest in one survey or compliance lot, while others may be better suited to operational service lots such as cleaning, PPM, reactive repairs or residential maintenance.
Why this framework stands out
One of the most important details in the notice is that all lots are single provider. The award method is without competition, and the framework can be used by the establishing party only. In practice, that means lot selection matters a great deal. Providers should focus on the areas where they have the clearest evidence, strongest delivery model and best commercial fit.
The framework also allows an unlimited number of suppliers and applies a 0% supplier fee. Those terms may make the opportunity commercially attractive, especially for smaller specialist suppliers looking at individual lots.
Lot values and where suppliers may fit
The lot values vary significantly, which gives bidders a useful guide to likely scale and fit:
- Lots 1 and 2: £120,000 each including VAT
- Lot 3: £288,000 including VAT
- Lot 4: £240,000 including VAT
- Lot 5: £336,000 including VAT
- Lot 6: £3,216,000 including VAT
- Lot 7: £192,000 including VAT
- Lot 8: £4,128,000 including VAT
- Lot 9: £840,000 including VAT
- Lot 10: £8,640,000 including VAT
- Lot 11: £1,800,000 including VAT
That means the framework is not just a collection of small compliance commissions. Some lots are much larger, particularly residential property maintenance, cleaning, and planned maintenance.
What bidders should focus on
Before bidding, suppliers should be clear on both technical fit and operational expectations for the specific lot or lots they want to pursue.
- Choose lots carefully - only pursue the lots where your evidence, accreditations and delivery model are genuinely strong.
- Match the lot profile - survey and assessment lots require different evidence from operational maintenance or cleaning lots.
- Show public sector readiness - experience with local authority buildings, compliance environments or temporary accommodation stock will help in the relevant areas.
- Explain delivery clearly - because each lot is single provider, buyers are likely to look closely at reliability, responsiveness and contract management.
- Plan for the correct term - some lots run to August 2029 with possible extension, while others run to August 2030 from the outset.
Evaluation and procurement approach
The award criteria are consistent across the lots shown in the notice, with 60% price and 40% quality. This makes commercial positioning important, but suppliers still need strong written responses and credible evidence of service quality.
The procurement is being run under a competitive flexible procedure with an invitation to submit PSQs followed by an invitation to submit tender. Suppliers should prepare for both qualification and tender stages rather than assuming a single-step submission.
Quick facts
- Buyer: London Borough of Bexley
- Framework: 6278 Building Services Framework
- Reference: 6278
- Estimated total value: £19,920,000 including VAT
- Lots: 11
- Framework type: Single-provider lots within a framework structure
- Award method: Without competition
- Framework access: Establishing party only
- Supplier fee: 0%
- Official notice: full notice here
Key dates
- Notice published: 2 April 2026
- Deadline for requests to participate: 18 May 2026 at 11:59pm
- Estimated award decision date: 19 August 2026
Thinking about whether to pursue it?
This framework is likely to be most relevant for suppliers with clear technical specialism, strong compliance credentials or proven building maintenance capability in local authority environments. If you want an honest view on where you may be most competitive, speak to Thornton & Lowe for a quick review of your fit and bid options.
