The 1362 - Community Housing - Planned Works Framework is a major national procurement covering planned, cyclical and improvement works, together with associated technical and assurance services, across housing and building assets. The framework has an estimated total value of £1.92 billion including VAT and runs for 4 years.
This is a substantial opportunity, but it is also more complex than a typical repairs or planned works framework. The notice confirms that it is structured across 44 lots, including a number of optional value-split lots designed to separate contracts below £1.2 million from contracts above £1 million. If you are considering whether to bid, contact Thornton & Lowe for a quick review of lot fit and bid strategy.
What this framework covers
The scope is very broad. It includes works such as fire precaution works, fire doors, window and door replacement, kitchen and bathroom installations, gas installations, roofing, water mains works, planned improvement works, cyclical decoration, damp and mould remedials, lift maintenance, energy efficiency works, door entry systems, adaptations and DFG works, asbestos removal and surveying, water hygiene testing, air conditioning, lightning protection, pumping stations, commercial gas heating, LPG and solid fuel servicing, air source heat pump and photovoltaic servicing, automatic gates and access systems, and electrical testing.
It also includes professional and technical service lots such as health and safety consultancy, building surveying, structural engineering, M&E compliance consultancy, CDM and principal designer services, architectural services, housing-related legal services, and third-party gas and electrical auditing.
Why the lot structure matters
The framework is structured across 44 lots, with 8 optional value-split lots. These value-split lots are designed to distinguish between lower-value and higher-value projects. Where a workstream is split, suppliers can bid for one side of the split only. For example, they may bid for Lot 10 or Lot 10a, but not both.
That means lot selection needs to be disciplined. Bigger is not always better. In many cases, the best route in will be the part of the framework that most closely matches your delivery model, project size and technical strengths.
What suppliers should pay attention to early
The notice gives a few practical signals that make this framework easier to assess:
- Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for: 35
- Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 35
- Maximum number of suppliers on the framework: 264
- Maximum fee charged to suppliers: 3.5%
- Award method at call-off: either with or without competition
The notice also makes clear that suppliers appointed to the framework are not guaranteed any volume or value of work. Call-offs may vary significantly in size, duration and scope depending on the needs of authorised users.
Who can use the framework
This is not just a Community Housing vehicle for internal use. The notice allows access for a broad range of authorised users, including registered providers of social housing across the UK, public authorities, NHS bodies, educational establishments and other contracting authorities, subject to the access arrangements set out in the notice.
That wider access is one of the reasons the headline value is so large, but it also means suppliers need to think about how transferable their offer is across different types of client and asset base.
What bidders should focus on
Before committing bid resource, suppliers should look carefully at whether they are strongest in major works, specialist compliance services, testing and maintenance, or professional consultancy support.
- Choose the right lots - the framework is too broad to treat as a blanket opportunity.
- Understand value-split rules - if a workstream is divided by project size, you can only bid for one part of that split.
- Match the framework to your operating model - some lots are capital works-led, while others are compliance, maintenance or consultancy-focused.
- Plan for call-off flexibility - contracts may be awarded with or without competition, depending on the requirement.
- Check commercial viability - the supplier fee structure and lack of guaranteed work should be part of your decision-making.
Evaluation and procurement route
The procurement is being run under an open procedure. The headline evaluation weighting is 60% quality and 40% price.
That gives suppliers a relatively clear balance to work to at framework stage, but the notice also says the specific evaluation criteria and weightings for call-offs may vary depending on the nature of the requirement and the call-off documentation.
Quick facts
- Framework: 1362 - Community Housing - Planned Works Framework
- Buyer: Community Housing
- Total value: £1,920,000,000 including VAT
- Framework term: 21 August 2026 to 20 August 2030
- Lots: 44
- Main category: Works
- Additional category: Services
- Maximum suppliers: 264
- Supplier fee: up to 3.5%
Key dates
- Notice published: 8 April 2026
- Enquiry deadline: 25 May 2026 at 12:00am
- Tender submission deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00pm
- Estimated award decision date: 31 July 2026
- Full notice details
Why this framework stands out
The size of the framework is obviously part of the appeal, but the more important point is its range. This is not just a capital works framework and not just a specialist compliance vehicle either. It combines planned investment works, cyclical and remedial programmes, servicing and maintenance, and technical advisory support in one structure.
For some suppliers, that creates a route into niche specialist lots. For others, it may create an opportunity to target multiple connected workstreams. The key is to avoid treating the framework as broader than your actual delivery capability.
For expert advice on whether this framework is worth pursuing, and which lots are most realistic for your business, get in touch with Thornton & Lowe.
