NHS London Procurement Partnership is preparing the fourth iteration of its Estates & Facilities Consultancy Services Framework, a major public-sector professional services opportunity with an estimated value of £1.824 billion excluding VAT / £2.1888 billion including VAT.
The framework is being developed to provide estates and facilities consultancy services across the public sector, with a formal tender currently expected in May 2027.
Suppliers have an opportunity to engage with NHS LPP while the structure is being developed. If you're considering the future framework, contact Thornton & Lowe for support assessing your position and preparing ahead of procurement.
What services could be in scope?
The final framework structure has not yet been published, but the procurement classifications indicate a broad professional-services requirement spanning:
- architectural, engineering and inspection services;
- construction consultancy;
- building consultancy;
- project management;
- quantity surveying;
- contract administration;
- real-estate services;
- energy-efficiency consultancy;
- environmental consultancy;
- safety consultancy; and
- facilities management services.
This creates potential routes for multidisciplinary consultancies as well as specialist estates, construction, property, energy and FM advisers.
Our guidance on professional services tenders covers some of the wider issues consultancy businesses should consider when bidding for public-sector work.
How can suppliers engage?
NHS LPP has planned an extended period of preliminary market engagement.
Activities include:
- a supplier webinar on 15 September 2026;
- a supplier questionnaire;
- individual supplier 1-to-1 sessions; and
- parallel engagement with contracting authorities.
The overall engagement deadline is 28 October 2026. Participation is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for subsequently bidding.
This gives suppliers a useful opportunity to influence areas such as framework design before the formal procurement begins.
What should consultancies prepare?
With the lotting strategy and tender requirements still being developed, detailed bid writing would be premature. However, suppliers can use the lead time productively.
Consider:
- which estates and facilities disciplines represent your strongest offer;
- your experience of NHS and other complex public estates;
- project values and geographic coverage;
- mobilisation and resource capacity;
- professional accreditations and qualifications;
- multidisciplinary collaboration;
- examples of measurable cost, programme or sustainability benefits;
- social value; and
- evidence relevant to net zero and estate decarbonisation.
The notice identifies both SMEs and VCSEs as suitable, making the eventual lot structure particularly important for specialist consultancies.
Quick facts
- Framework: Estates & Facilities Consultancy Services Framework 4
- Organisation: NHS London Procurement Partnership
- Contracting authority: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Estimated value: £1.824bn excluding VAT / £2.1888bn including VAT
- Coverage: UK
- Potential maximum duration: Eight years
- Engagement deadline: 28 October 2026
- Supplier webinar: 15 September 2026
- Estimated tender notice: 10 May 2027
- SME suitability: Yes
- View the official Find a Tender notice
Use the engagement period to strengthen your position
The size and breadth of this framework should attract significant interest. Suppliers that use the coming months to organise evidence, understand where they fit and engage constructively with NHS LPP will be better placed when the final procurement structure is published.
Thornton & Lowe can support your preparation now and provide full bid support when the tender goes live. Contact our team to discuss your framework plans.
