The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London have published a pre-market engagement notice for a major new Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) Framework, with an estimated value of up to £660,000,000 including VAT. This four-year framework will bundle hard and soft FM services under a single, coordinated delivery model. As such, it's one of the most significant FM procurement exercises currently in development in the UK public sector.
If you're considering this opportunity, Thornton & Lowe can help you quickly assess whether it's worth pursuing. Contact us for an expert bid readiness review tailored to your capabilities and contract history. You can also explore our guidance on facilities management tenders for a broader view of what public sector FM procurement requires.
Scope and Strategic Context
This framework will provide the City of London Corporation with a single route to market for the full range of FM services across its estate. Hard FM services are expected to include mechanical and electrical maintenance, fabric repairs, and building engineering, while soft FM will encompass cleaning, security, waste management, and grounds maintenance. Combining these under one contract vehicle allows the authority to streamline supplier relationships and drive consistent standards across a varied and high-profile portfolio of assets. This typically includes offices, civic buildings, historic structures, and public open spaces.
The City of London Corporation is not a standard local authority. It serves as both the local council for the Square Mile and the governance body for a range of national and regional assets. That context matters when positioning a bid: suppliers should expect high standards on compliance, performance reporting, and alignment with the Corporation's wider stewardship responsibilities.
What Bidders Need to Consider
The formal tender documents are not yet published, but the pre-market engagement is an opportunity to understand the authority's thinking before the competition opens. The four-year framework duration signals a preference for proven delivery partners rather than short-term suppliers, and the integrated model is likely to favour those who can manage both hard and soft FM, either directly or through a well-governed supply chain.
- The £660m estimated value sets a high bar for financial capacity, scalability, and commercial management credentials.
- Suppliers should prepare comprehensive evidence of delivering integrated FM services across complex or multi-use estates.
- Watch for the lot structure on publication: it may open specific routes for specialist or regional providers, even within a single-supplier model.
- Begin mapping subcontractor and supply chain arrangements now if your offer requires it.
Quick facts
- Authority: The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London
- Estimated value: £660,000,000 including VAT
- Contract type: Framework agreement
- Scope: Integrated hard and soft FM services
- Duration: 4 years
- Notice: View on Find a Tender (048115-2026)
Key dates
- Estimated tender publication: 1 September 2026 (subject to change)
Why Early Preparation Matters
Opportunities of this profile attract serious competition. Early preparation will put you in a materially stronger position when the tender lands. This can include refreshing accreditations, updating case studies, and stress-testing your delivery model against the scope. Follow the official notice on Find a Tender for updates.
- Align your technical capability with the full IFM scope: both hard and soft services.
- Demonstrate experience delivering long-term public sector contracts on complex or historic estates.
- Consider your mobilisation plan and how quickly you could be operational across the City's portfolio.
When the tender is published, Thornton & Lowe's public sector FM specialists can help you build a compelling, compliant submission. Get in touch today for a no-obligation readiness review.
