Quality Trusted Solutions LLP (QTS) is procuring a new £150 million Consultants Framework, creating opportunities for architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers and specialist property advisers to support public sector projects across the UK.
The four-year framework covers 12 consultancy disciplines, from architectural design and cost management to fire safety, strategic estates planning and facilities management. It is identified as particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), allowing specialist practices to compete for work relevant to their expertise.
With tenders due by 18 December 2026 at 2pm, professional services businesses have an opportunity to review the requirements and prepare applications for their preferred lots.
QTS Consultants Framework: key details
QTS is establishing the framework to give eligible public sector organisations access to professional consultancy services for buildings, estates and associated infrastructure. The principal procurement details are:
- Contracting authority: Quality Trusted Solutions LLP
- Estimated value: £150 million excluding VAT (£180 million including VAT)
- Framework period: 15 April 2027 to 14 April 2031
- Number of lots: 12
- Geographical coverage: United Kingdom
- Procurement procedure: Open
- Enquiry deadline: 12 November 2026 at 5pm
- Tender deadline: 18 December 2026 at 2pm
- Estimated award decision: 5 February 2027
The framework can be used by QTS and other eligible contracting authorities, including NHS trusts, integrated care boards, local authorities, government departments and other public sector organisations. Suppliers can review the QTS Consultants Framework tender notice for the published procurement information.
What are the 12 QTS consultancy lots?
The framework covers a wide range of professional services associated with planning, designing, delivering and managing buildings and estates. Each lot addresses a particular discipline, giving specialist businesses an opportunity to pursue work aligned with their qualifications and experience.
Lot | Consultancy discipline | Main services |
|---|---|---|
1 | Architectural Services | Building design, technical consultancy and multidisciplinary architectural teams |
2 | Cost Accountants | Cost planning, estimates, forecasting and financial control |
3 | M&E Engineering | Building services design, energy systems, modelling and technical advice |
4 | Building Surveyors | Building condition surveys, specifications and regulatory advice |
5 | Structural Engineering | Structural design, investigations and technical consultancy |
6 | Principal Designer | CDM 2015 pre-construction health and safety coordination |
7 | Property Consulting Advice | Specialist property and estates consultancy |
8 | Strategic Estates Advice | Strategic property planning and estate management |
9 | Fire Safety, AE Fire Services and Training | Fire safety advice, authorised engineering services and training |
10 | Project Management | Project delivery, coordination and programme management |
11 | Clerk of Works | Construction inspection, workmanship and quality monitoring |
12 | Strategic Estates & FM Delivery Partnerships | Estates transformation, facilities management and integrated delivery support |
Design, engineering and surveying services
Lots 1–6 cover many of the disciplines involved in designing, specifying and delivering construction projects. Architectural practices can pursue work covering the RIBA work stages, while engineering consultancies can focus on mechanical, electrical or structural design.
Building surveyors may provide condition assessments, specifications and advice on legislation or accessibility. Cost consultants will be particularly relevant to projects requiring budgeting, forecasting, cost control and value engineering. Lot 6 focuses on Principal Designer duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, including coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase.
The separation of these disciplines should allow specialist practices to identify suitable opportunities without having to offer every consultancy service covered by the framework.
Property, estates and project delivery services
Lots 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 cover different aspects of property strategy, project delivery and estates management. These include strategic estates advice, property consultancy, project management and Clerk of Works services.
Lot 12 has a broader delivery focus, covering the development and implementation of estates and facilities management strategies, asset optimisation, capital and lifecycle programmes, service transformation and performance improvement.
These opportunities may be relevant to consultancies supporting public sector estate modernisation, refurbishment, maintenance and long-term investment planning.
Fire safety and specialist advisory services
Lot 9 covers fire safety services, authorised engineering advice and training. The category may be relevant to businesses providing specialist fire safety consultancy and associated professional support. Applicants should check the detailed specifications and qualification requirements carefully, particularly where services require specific professional competence or authorisations.
Is the QTS framework suitable for SMEs?
All 12 lots are identified as particularly suitable for SMEs. This makes the framework relevant to smaller professional practices alongside larger multidisciplinary consultancies. There is also no stated overall maximum number of appointed suppliers. However, businesses must still meet the relevant participation requirements and achieve sufficient scores in the procurement.
For smaller consultancies, the most effective approach may be to concentrate on disciplines where they have strong professional expertise, established delivery teams and relevant project experience. An independent building surveying practice, for example, may be well placed to compete under Lot 4 without needing to provide structural engineering or strategic facilities management services.
The procurement documents should be reviewed to establish any mandatory professional qualifications, technical conditions, financial requirements or other eligibility criteria that apply to each lot.
How will QTS evaluate suppliers?
The published evaluation criteria are:
- Quality, including social value: 70%
- Price: 30%
The significant quality weighting means consultancies will need to demonstrate their professional capabilities, relevant experience and ability to deliver services effectively. Pricing remains an important consideration, but suppliers should avoid relying on competitive rates alone.
Although the detailed tender questions determine the precise assessment, several areas are worth considering when preparing responses.
- Professional expertise: Demonstrate that the proposed team has suitable qualifications, experience and technical knowledge for the selected discipline.
- Relevant project experience: Provide examples of comparable public sector or commercial projects, explaining the consultancy's responsibilities and the outcomes achieved.
- Project delivery: Explain how work will be managed, including communication, reporting, programme coordination and quality assurance.
- Resource availability: Show how qualified personnel will be assigned to projects and how capacity will be maintained across different requirements.
- Social value: Develop relevant commitments that can be delivered and measured, supported by practical implementation arrangements.
Thornton & Lowe's bid writing services can help professional services firms interpret evaluation requirements and prepare structured responses supported by relevant evidence.
How will contracts be awarded through the framework?
QTS will use the framework to provide eligible public sector organisations with access to appointed consultants across the 12 disciplines. Individual contracts may be awarded through direct award or further competition, depending on the requirements and the framework's published procedures.
For direct awards, customers will select suitable suppliers using objective criteria established in the framework agreement. These include the scope of the requirement, supplier capability, capacity, availability and value for money. Where further competition is required, eligible suppliers appointed to the relevant lot will be invited to submit proposals. The detailed award criteria and weightings may be refined for individual competitions where the framework rules permit.
This means securing a framework appointment doesn't guarantee a particular value or volume of work. Suppliers should consider both the initial competition and their ability to respond to subsequent opportunities. The framework also specifies a maximum supplier fee of 2%, with further details contained in the procurement documents.
How professional services firms can prepare their applications
The diversity of consultancy disciplines makes lot selection an important first step. Applicants should begin by reviewing the specifications for the categories most relevant to their business. A multidisciplinary consultancy may be capable of applying across several lots, but each response should demonstrate the appropriate expertise and experience.
For specialist practices, focusing on a smaller number of relevant categories may allow more time to prepare detailed supporting evidence.
Select strong project examples
Relevant case studies can help demonstrate the consultancy's ability to deliver comparable work. Where possible, identify the project's scale, client requirements, services provided and measurable outcomes. For example, a project management consultancy might highlight programme delivery, stakeholder coordination and successful management of project risks. A cost consultancy may focus on estimates, cost control and achieving value for money.
Demonstrate technical competence
Applicants should consider how best to present the qualifications, registrations and professional experience of their proposed personnel. Where particular professional standards or statutory duties apply, the supporting evidence should demonstrate an appropriate understanding of those requirements. This is especially relevant to regulated or specialist disciplines such as Principal Designer services and fire safety consultancy.
Explain capacity and delivery arrangements
Public sector customers may need consultancy services for projects of different sizes and durations. Suppliers should explain how they allocate staff, manage workloads and maintain consistent service quality. Where subcontractors or specialist partners are involved, responsibilities and quality management arrangements should be clear. Businesses should also review their pricing schedules carefully, ensuring that proposed rates are competitive and sustainable.
How to apply for the QTS Consultants Framework
The competition is being administered through the Proactis supplier portal. Businesses can access the QTS procurement portal to obtain the full tender documents and submit their responses.
The published deadlines are:
- 12 November 2026 at 5pm: Enquiry deadline
- 18 December 2026 at 2pm: Tender submission deadline
Suppliers should allow sufficient time to register, examine the specifications, gather supporting documents and complete the relevant technical and commercial responses. The tender documentation should also be checked for clarifications or amendments before submission.
How Thornton & Lowe can support consultancy businesses
The QTS Consultants Framework offers opportunities for professional services firms to work with NHS organisations, public authorities and other eligible customers. With quality accounting for 70% of the evaluation, applicants will need to demonstrate their capabilities clearly, including relevant project experience, technical expertise and credible delivery arrangements.
Thornton & Lowe supports consultancy businesses with framework applications, quality responses and tender preparation, helping suppliers present their experience effectively and meet demanding procurement requirements. If you're considering applying for the QTS Consultants Framework, contact Thornton & Lowe to discuss how we can help strengthen your submission.
