The SCAPE Construction Works and Services Framework (SCP014) is a major construction procurement covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The framework has an estimated value of £8 billion excluding VAT (£9.6 billion including VAT) and is intended to run for four years, with the potential for a further two-year extension.
SCAPE is looking to appoint 15 delivery partners in total, with three suppliers awarded to each of five lots. Competition will be particularly selective: only the five highest-scoring bidders on each lot at the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage will progress to the Invitation to Tender.
For contractors considering the opportunity, this makes early preparation particularly important. Suppliers need to choose the right lot, demonstrate that they meet the relevant financial and technical requirements and provide a strong enough PSQ response to secure one of the limited places at the tender stage. If you are assessing whether this could be the right framework for your business, contact Thornton & Lowe.
What are the SCAPE framework lots?
The framework is divided into five lots:
Lot 1 – England: Construction Works & Services
- Estimated value: £4 billion excluding VAT
- Minimum annual turnover: £150 million
- Projects can range from £0 to more than £500 million.
Lot 2 – England: Residential Construction Works and Services – Decarbonisation, Retrofit, Repair & Maintenance
- Estimated value: £2 billion excluding VAT
- Minimum annual turnover: £75 million
- Projects can range from £0 to more than £500 million.
Lot 3 – Wales: Construction, Housing, Works & Services
- Estimated value: £1 billion excluding VAT
- Minimum annual turnover: £75 million
- Projects can range from £0 to more than £150 million.
Lot 4 – Northern Ireland: Construction, Housing, Works & Services £0–£15m
- Estimated value: £250 million excluding VAT
- Minimum annual turnover: £20 million
- Call-offs will be valued between £0 and £15 million.
Lot 5 – Northern Ireland: Construction, Housing, Works & Services £10m+
- Estimated value: £750 million excluding VAT
- Minimum annual turnover: £75 million
- Projects will exceed £10 million and can reach more than £150 million.
The turnover requirements can be met by an individual bidder or collectively through an eligible bidding vehicle such as a consortium or joint venture. SCAPE also intends the successful delivery partners to create opportunities for SMEs through their supply chains.
How will the SCAPE tender work?
SCAPE is using a competitive flexible procedure with two main stages. At the first stage, bidders must complete a separate PSQ for each lot they want to pursue. The PSQ incorporates the Common Assessment Standard, supplementary questions and SCAPE-specific quality questions. Only the five highest-scoring bidders per lot will progress.
Those suppliers will then complete a separate ITT for each relevant lot. Three suppliers per lot will ultimately be appointed. The ITT is weighted 65% quality and 35% commercial.
The key deadlines are:
- Enquiry deadline: 2 October 2026 at 12:00pm
- PSQ/request to participate deadline: 9 October 2026 at 2:00pm
- Estimated award decision: 19 July 2027
How will work be awarded through the framework?
SCAPE has set out several possible routes for awarding projects. Below-threshold requirements can use its Accelerated Delivery route. Above-threshold work may be awarded without further competition through an objective mechanism based on framework tender scores and factors including quality, price, technical ability, social value, sustainability and performance.
Clients can also use a competitive selection process incorporating activities such as written responses, case studies, interviews and behavioural assessments. Commercial elements may be included for call-offs above £50 million.
This means performance at framework tender stage could remain important well beyond the initial appointment. Suppliers should consider not only what is required to secure a place, but how their quality, commercial and performance commitments could affect access to future work.
What should contractors focus on?
With only three places available on each lot, simply meeting the minimum requirements will not be enough. Bidders should make sure their submission demonstrates:
- the scale and capacity required for their chosen lot
- strong evidence from comparable construction programmes
- effective management of local and specialist supply chains
- collaborative working with public-sector clients and consultants
- credible social value and sustainability delivery
- robust governance, performance management and risk controls
- a competitive commercial model that can support projects across the framework term
For smaller contractors, the turnover requirements mean that bidding independently may not always be realistic. Consortium, joint venture and delivery-partner supply chains provide alternative routes into the opportunity.
Get support with your SCAPE framework bid
Securing one of three places on a SCAPE lot will require a highly focused submission, beginning with the PSQ and continuing through to the full tender stage.
Thornton & Lowe supports construction businesses with framework applications, SQ and PSQ responses, bid strategy and tender writing. If you’re considering SCP014, contact our bid team, who can help you assess your position, identify the evidence required and develop a competitive submission.
