Communities & Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) has launched its Kitchen Materials Framework 2026–30, a four-year framework for kitchen products and related services across housing, refurbishment, asset-management and development programmes.
The framework has a published value of £90 million including VAT and includes routes for domestic kitchen supply, manufacturer installation and specialist commercial or communal kitchens. The tender closes on 6 October 2026. If you're considering one or more CHIC lots, contact Thornton & Lowe for an objective bid/no-bid review and practical support with your tender.
CHIC Kitchen Materials Framework: Lot structure
Lot 1 – Kitchen Supply Only
Estimated at £48 million including VAT, Lot 1 covers manufacture, supply, packing and delivery of domestic kitchen units and associated products. The supplier also provides product information, warranties and replacement components, but installation is carried out by the member, principal contractor or another party.
Lot 2 – Kitchen Supply And Manufacturer Fit
Estimated at £12 million including VAT, this covers supply and manufacturer installation for new-build residential properties only. Products include kitchen units, worktops, upstands, splashbacks, plinths, trims, panels and associated components.
Lot 3 – Commercial And Communal Kitchen Products
Estimated at £30 million including VAT, Lot 3 is a specialist route covering design and supply of commercial and communal kitchen products, fabricated components, appliances, catering equipment and accessories. The framework can support affordable housing, shared ownership, repairs and maintenance, voids, planned investment, refurbishment, new homes and relevant communal or commercial kitchen environments.
For suppliers working with housing organisations, our social housing bid writing guide provides further guidance on the sector.
Unlimited suppliers
CHIC has stated an unlimited maximum number of suppliers, with SMEs and VCSEs identified as suitable. Call-offs can be awarded either with or without competition. The framework carries a maximum supplier fee of 4%.
The supplier model makes the framework relatively open at appointment stage, but businesses still need a clear commercial strategy for turning framework membership into orders.
Tender evaluation
The award weighting is:
- Quality: 50%
- Price: 40%
- Social value: 10%.
Kitchen suppliers should prepare evidence around more than product range and pricing. Areas likely to strengthen the proposition include:
- manufacturing and supply capacity;
- lead times;
- delivery performance;
- product consistency;
- quality control;
- warranties and replacements;
- supply-chain resilience;
- customer support;
- installation quality where relevant; and
- social value that is relevant to housing customers and communities.
Quick facts
- Buyer: Communities & Housing Investment Consortium
- Reference: FWK347
- Estimated value: £90m including VAT
- Term: Four years
- Lots: Three
- Coverage: UK
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
- Maximum supplier fee: 4%
- Evaluation: 50% quality / 40% price / 10% social value
- Enquiry deadline: 22 September 2026
- Tender deadline: 6 October 2026 at 3:00pm
- Estimated award: 1 December 2026
- View the official Find a Tender notice
Match your bid to the right supply model
The three lots serve quite different supplier propositions. A domestic manufacturer targeting supply-only work should not use the same evidence as a manufacturer delivering fitted kitchens for new-build projects or a specialist commercial catering supplier.
Select the lot where your evidence is strongest, then build the response around the logistics, quality, service and commercial requirements of that model.
Thornton & Lowe can support kitchen manufacturers and suppliers with framework strategy, tender writing and independent review. Contact our bid team to discuss FWK347 ahead of the October deadline.
