SCAPE has opened procurement for a new Regional Construction Works and Services Framework covering four large regions of England. The framework is valued at up to £1.2 billion excluding VAT and is intended to appoint three delivery partners to each regional lot, creating twelve framework positions in total.
This is a significant opportunity, but it is not aimed at every contractor operating in the listed regions. The strongest candidates are likely to be established regional or national main contractors with the financial strength, management systems and supply-chain depth to deliver public-sector construction programmes valued at up to £15 million per commission. If your organisation is considering a bid, speak to Thornton & Lowe about your SCAPE submission.
What does the SCAPE framework cover?
The framework covers construction works and related services across four geographic lots:
- Lot 1: Midlands East, covering Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and South Yorkshire.
- Lot 2: Midlands West, covering Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
- Lot 3: Home Counties East, covering Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex and London.
- Lot 4: Home Counties West, covering Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and London.
Bidders may apply for one lot only. SCAPE intends to shortlist the five highest-scoring suppliers in each lot at the selection stage, before inviting them to submit a full tender. Three suppliers will then be appointed per lot.
The SCAPE tender notice confirms that the framework will run for four years and that individual commissions will be capped at £15 million.
Who should consider bidding?
The opportunity is principally suited to contractors capable of taking overall responsibility for construction delivery, programme management, commercial control and supply-chain performance. Although the scope includes a broad range of construction and engineering activities, the framework is structured around regional delivery partners rather than separate trade packages.
SCAPE requires an annual turnover of at least £20 million. This may be met by an individual bidder or through the combined turnover of an eligible bidding vehicle, such as a consortium or joint venture. SMEs are not excluded, but smaller specialists may find the strongest route is either a formal collaborative bid or a position within the successful contractors' supply chains.
Before committing to the competition, bidders should test their fit against the region, turnover requirement, delivery model and likely project values. Our guide to construction frameworks explains how these agreements operate, what contractors should consider before bidding and how they can support public sector growth.
What evidence is likely to matter?
The selection stage will need to give SCAPE confidence that the bidder can manage a varied regional portfolio. Relevant evidence is likely to include:
- delivery of comparable public-sector projects and programmes;
- regional capacity and access to a resilient supply chain;
- commercial management and cost certainty;
- health, safety and building compliance;
- quality assurance and performance reporting;
- social value, local employment and SME engagement;
- carbon reduction and sustainable construction;
- collaborative working with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
Generic corporate case studies will not be enough. Examples should show the bidder's role, the complexity managed, measurable outcomes and how problems were controlled. Where delivery depends on partners, the submission should also explain governance, accountability and how consistent standards will be maintained across the supply chain.
Prepare for the two-stage process
With only five bidders expected to reach the tender stage in each lot, the first submission must do more than demonstrate minimum compliance. It should establish a clear regional proposition, show that the business can absorb commissions of varying size and explain why its operating model is suited to SCAPE's clients.
The full tender will then need a consistent story across methodology, people, supply chain, social value, sustainability and commercial delivery. Bidders should begin by selecting the most credible lot, agreeing the bidding structure and identifying evidence against the likely scored themes. This will make it easier to produce a focused response rather than trying to retrofit generic material close to the deadline.
