National Framework for Major Works 2026: Supplier Guide

The National Framework for Major Works 2026 is one of the most significant public sector construction framework opportunities currently live. With an estimated total value of £5bn including VAT, UK-wide coverage and a four-year term running from 19 October 2026 to 19 October 2030, it is likely to be a priority target for contractors with the scale, experience and evidence to compete.

Procured by YPO, with Pagabo acting on behalf of the contracting authority, the framework is designed for major works construction and refurbishment projects across the UK. It is principally intended for works valued at £5m and above, including individual projects, project phases, batches of projects and wider programmes of work.

The opportunity is broad, but the timescales are tight. The tender was published on 27 April 2026, with an enquiry deadline of 8 June 2026 and a tender submission deadline of 22 June 2026. For a framework of this scale, bidders need to move quickly from initial review into lot strategy, evidence gathering, response planning and quality review.

National Framework for Major Works 2026: Quick Facts

• Buyer: YPO
• Procurement lead: Pagabo
  
• Estimated value: £5bn including VAT
  
• Procurement route: Open procedure
  
• Term: 19 October 2026–19 October 2030
  
• Enquiry deadline: 8 June 2026, 12pm
  
• Tender deadline: 22 June 2026, 12pm
  
• Estimated award decision date: 31 August 2026
  
• Evaluation split: Quality 60%, price 40%
  
• Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
  

Why This Framework Matters

For contractors operating in the public sector construction market, the National Framework for Major Works 2026 represents a substantial route to future opportunities. The combination of a £5bn estimated value, a four-year term and UK-wide coverage makes it one of the most significant major works frameworks currently in procurement.

Its scale is not the only reason it matters. The framework is broad enough to support a wide range of public sector construction requirements, from new build and extensions through to refurbishment, retrofit, specialist fit-out, MEP and associated infrastructure works. This gives suitable contractors the chance to position themselves across multiple types of public sector projects, provided their experience and evidence align with the lots they choose to target.

The maximum number of suppliers is unlimited and the maximum supplier fee is 0%. That adds to the commercial appeal of the framework, particularly for contractors looking to strengthen their public sector pipeline without supplier fees reducing the value of future work secured through the agreement.

For bidders, the opportunity is therefore both commercial and strategic. A strong submission could help contractors secure a place on a national framework connected to major public sector investment, while also giving them a platform to demonstrate their capability in areas such as quality, collaboration, digital delivery, social value, environmental outcomes and whole-life asset performance.

What Does the Framework Cover?

The framework covers major construction and refurbishment works for the UK public sector. Its scope is deliberately broad, reflecting the range of projects public bodies may need to procure over the framework term. This includes:

• new build
• extensions
• remodelling and alterations
• refurbishment and retrofit
• specialist fit-out
• renovation and planned remedial works
• repair works
• mechanical, electrical and plumbing works
• civils, landscaping and associated site infrastructure where required

This makes the framework relevant to a wide range of contractors already targeting construction frameworks, including those working across education, healthcare, housing, local government, blue light, leisure, infrastructure and other public sector environments.

The breadth of scope is a positive, but it also creates a challenge for bidders. A generic “we can do everything” response is unlikely to be persuasive. Suppliers will need to show the specific types of works, project values, regions and public sector settings where they have a strong and evidenced track record.

Why Early Planning Matters

The tender window is relatively short for a framework of this size. The notice was published on 27 April 2026, while the submission deadline is 22 June 2026. This gives suppliers around two months to compile and submit their bids.

Bidders should also treat the enquiry deadline of 8 June as a key milestone, not an administrative detail. Clarification questions may be important where there is uncertainty around lot selection, evidence requirements, contract terms, regional coverage, pricing or submission instructions.

The submission deadline also leaves limited room for delay. For a 60% quality-weighted framework, bidders need enough time to build a compliance matrix, gather project evidence, develop win themes, draft responses, review against the scoring criteria and complete a final compliance check before upload.

Leaving this work until the final weeks increases the risk of rushed answers, weak evidence, missed attachments or avoidable compliance issues.

Lot Structure

The framework is split into five lots. Lot 1 is a Collaborative Partner Lot, while Lots 2 to 5 are structured around project value bands.

Lot selection should be a strategic decision, not just a growth ambition. The strongest lot is usually the one where the bidder can provide the clearest evidence, the most relevant case studies and the most credible delivery model.

For some suppliers, bidding for a lower value band with stronger evidence may be more competitive than stretching into a larger lot where the supporting examples are weaker. Where capability genuinely spans multiple lots, bidding for more than one may be sensible, but only where the bidder can tailor the submission properly and avoid diluting the quality of the response.

Lot 1: What Makes the Collaborative Partner Lot Different

Lot 1 is likely to attract particular attention. It is structured as a Collaborative Partner Lot for works of £5m and above, with appointments split across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Collaborative Partners are long-term, transparent and partnership-driven organisations expected to work closely with framework stakeholders. Emphasis will be placed on quality, digital delivery, innovation, environmental outcomes, social and economic value, value for money and whole-life asset performance.

This means Lot 1 should not be treated as a standard value-band bid. Contractors considering this lot will need to show much more than technical delivery capability. They will need to demonstrate how they work in partnership, support early contractor involvement, manage risk, share knowledge, drive improvement and contribute to the performance of the wider framework.

Strong evidence may include examples of:

• collaborative delivery
• framework management
• strategic client relationships
• continuous improvement
• lessons learned
• supply chain integration
• performance reporting
• innovation delivered on live projects

For the right contractor, Lot 1 may be commercially attractive because of the potential for early contractor involvement, a streamlined direct appointment route and access to a stable long-term pipeline. The bar, however, is likely to be high.

Procurement Act Considerations

The National Framework for Major Works 2026 will be procured under the Procurement Act and associated regulations.

For bidders, the core task remains familiar: understand the requirement, answer the questions directly, evidence every claim and align the response with the evaluation criteria. However, the Procurement Act places greater emphasis on transparency, performance and public benefit, which should be reflected in the way suppliers frame their responses.

Thornton & Lowe’s guide to the Procurement Act 2023 explains why suppliers still need to focus on the fundamentals of good bidding, including compliance, clear evidence, value for money and direct responses to the buyer’s requirements.

There is also a specific point for contractors with operations in Scotland. The notice states that the contracting authority may introduce Scottish Law as part of the framework terms and conditions during the first two weeks of the tendering period. Bidders should monitor communications carefully and factor any updates into their legal, commercial and delivery review.

How Bids Will Be Evaluated

The notice confirms a 60% quality and 40% price split. That balance is important.

Quality is the larger weighting, so bidders will need strong written responses supported by credible examples. Vague commitments, generic method statements and broad claims about capability are unlikely to be enough. Evaluators will expect specific, measurable and relevant evidence.

At the same time, price carries 40% of the overall evaluation. That is too significant to treat as secondary. Bidders need to make sure the commercial model is competitive, realistic and aligned with the delivery approach described in the quality submission.

A strong bid should therefore bring quality and price together. The quality response should explain how the supplier will deliver effectively, and the pricing should support that delivery model rather than undermine it.

What Will Separate Stronger Bids?

For a framework of this scale, the difference between an average bid and a competitive bid is likely to come down to clarity, evidence and strategy. A stronger submission will usually include the following.

A clear lot strategy

The bid should explain, through evidence, why the contractor is right for the lot or lots selected. This includes relevant project values, sector experience, regional coverage, technical capability and capacity.

Specific, quantified evidence

Case studies should include project values, scope, client type, outcomes, timescales, constraints, performance measures and lessons learned. Claims should be supported with data wherever possible.

Strong public sector experience

Public sector clients will want assurance that contractors understand compliance, stakeholder engagement, governance, reporting, transparency and value for money.

Practical social value commitments

Social value should be specific, measurable and deliverable. Stronger responses will explain how commitments will be planned, resourced, tracked and reported across framework projects.

Credible environmental and whole-life value evidence

The notice refers to environmental outcomes and whole-life asset performance. Bidders should prepare evidence around carbon reduction, retrofit, lifecycle thinking, waste reduction, sustainable supply chains and long-term asset performance.

Digital delivery and performance reporting

For a major national framework, bidders should expect to show how they use digital systems to support design, delivery, reporting, risk management, communication and continuous improvement.

A price that supports the delivery model

A low price may help with scoring, but only if it remains credible. Bidders should make sure their pricing approach does not create obvious delivery risks or conflict with the quality narrative.

A proper compliance review

A non-compliant bid can fail regardless of quality. Every document, attachment, declaration, upload instruction, word limit and response requirement should be checked before submission.

For further guidance, Thornton & Lowe’s framework agreement bidding tips provide a useful starting point for suppliers preparing for framework submissions.

How to Approach Bid Planning

This framework should be managed as a structured bid project from the outset.

The first step is bid/no-bid. Contractors should assess whether the framework aligns with their target markets, project values, geography, capacity, evidence base and growth strategy. A large framework is not automatically the right opportunity for every supplier.

The next step is lot selection. This should be based on evidence, not aspiration. Bidders should map their best case studies against each lot and consider where they can provide the most convincing proof of delivery.

Once the lot strategy is agreed, bidders should create a compliance matrix. This should capture every question, document, pass/fail requirement, word count, attachment, pricing instruction, portal requirement and deadline. It should also assign ownership and identify where evidence is missing.

From there, the focus should shift to win themes. For this framework, likely themes include major works experience, public sector delivery, collaboration, regional capability, social value, environmental performance, digital delivery, supply chain strength, risk management and whole-life value.

The writing stage should come after this planning work. Responses should be structured around the scoring criteria, with clear evidence and direct answers. Review should be built in before submission, giving enough time to improve weaker responses and fix compliance issues.

Thornton & Lowe’s construction bid support team can help contractors review the tender pack, plan the submission, develop evidence and manage the bid process through to final upload.

Is This Framework Right for Your Business?

The National Framework for Major Works 2026 is likely to be highly competitive. Before committing internal time and resource, contractors should assess both the opportunity and their readiness to bid.

Useful questions to ask include:

• Do we have strong evidence of delivering projects at the relevant lot values?
• Can we demonstrate successful public sector construction experience?
• Do we have the capacity to produce a strong bid before 22 June 2026?
• Can we evidence delivery in the regions we want to target?
• Do we have suitable case studies for the work types included in the framework?
• Can we support strong answers on social value, environmental outcomes, digital delivery and innovation?
• Is our pricing likely to be competitive while still supporting safe, high-quality delivery?
• Do we have a plan for winning call-off work after framework appointment?

This final point is important. A framework place is only the start of the commercial process. Suppliers need to think beyond appointment and consider how they will build relationships, respond to further competitions, maintain performance and convert framework access into secured work.

Thornton & Lowe’s framework application support can help suppliers assess whether the opportunity is right for them, choose the right lots and prepare a compliant, evidence-led submission.

YPO and Pagabo Bid Writing Support

This framework brings together two major public sector procurement names: YPO and Pagabo. Bidders should expect a structured, competitive process where clarity, compliance and evidence will matter.

Thornton & Lowe provides dedicated YPO bid writing support for suppliers targeting YPO frameworks, DPS agreements and call-off opportunities. We also provide Pagabo bid writing support for contractors bidding through Pagabo frameworks and related procurement routes.

For the National Framework for Major Works 2026, support may include:

• bid/no-bid review
• lot selection advice
• ITT review and compliance matrix development
• bid planning and response structure
• win theme development
• case study improvement
• quality response writing
• social value response support
• draft review and scoring improvement
• final compliance checks
• portal and submission support

For contractors with limited internal bid capacity, Thornton & Lowe’s bid writing services can provide additional resource at the stages where it is most needed.

Need Help with the National Framework for Major Works 2026?

The National Framework for Major Works 2026 is a major opportunity for contractors with the experience, capacity and evidence to compete. Its £5bn estimated value, national coverage, 0% supplier fee and four-year term make it commercially attractive, but the tender window is short and the quality weighting means bidders need a strong, well-evidenced response.

Thornton & Lowe can help you review the tender documents, select the right lots, develop your strategy and prepare a compliant submission. If you are planning to bid, speak to our bid team today about how we can support your response.