Procurement for Housing is procuring a national Modular Buildings and Associated Services Framework for use by housing providers and other eligible public-sector organisations. The current notice indicates an estimated value of £943 million excluding VAT, or £1.1316 billion including VAT, over four years.
The framework is relevant to modular and offsite manufacturers, design-and-build contractors, installation partners and specialist consultants. Suppliers need to consider the complete delivery model, not only the manufacture of units. If you are assessing a bid, contact Thornton & Lowe for an initial review of your lot fit and evidence.
What the framework may cover
The procurement follows earlier market engagement on a first-generation PfH modular buildings framework. The scope is expected to include permanent and temporary modular solutions, associated design and consultancy, installation, refurbishment, relocation and potentially specialist or secure environments.
The latest tender documents should be used for the confirmed lot structure. Suppliers should not rely on the single-lot format or £1 billion excluding VAT estimate used during the earlier engagement phase, as the current notice may reflect changes made after market feedback.
Who should consider bidding?
Potential bidders include volumetric modular manufacturers, panelised or offsite construction providers where permitted, turnkey modular contractors and consultancies specialising in design, project management or technical support. Groundworks, transport and installation businesses may be more likely to participate through supply-chain partnerships unless a dedicated lot is available.
Strong framework candidates will need to demonstrate that they can support different building uses and client types while maintaining design quality, statutory compliance and predictable programme performance.
What a competitive bid should demonstrate
- Design and compliance: building regulations, planning support, fire safety, accessibility and technical assurance.
- Manufacturing quality: factory controls, traceability, inspection and defect prevention.
- End-to-end delivery: surveys, design, approvals, groundworks interfaces, transport, installation and handover.
- Capacity and resilience: factory throughput, critical suppliers, contingency and multi-project scheduling.
- Whole-life value: durability, maintenance, adaptability, relocation and end-of-life considerations.
- Customer outcomes: reduced disruption, programme certainty and a clear approach to occupied or constrained sites.
Social value should connect to offsite delivery
Generic promises about local jobs can be difficult to deliver where manufacturing is centralised. A stronger response will explain which benefits can genuinely be created in the client area through installation, apprenticeships, local subcontracting, skills transfer or community engagement. Our guide to social value in tenders can help structure credible commitments.
Review the latest notice
Check the official Find a Tender notice for the submission deadline, lots, geographic requirements and final value. Pay particular attention to whether suppliers must cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland directly or can use controlled delivery partners.
Before writing, map every stage of your delivery chain and identify evidence for programme certainty, technical compliance and completed buildings in comparable public-sector settings.
Thornton & Lowe can help you qualify the lots, coordinate technical evidence and produce clear, compliant framework responses. Speak to our construction bid team.
