The Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework Agreement (SES) is set to become a key route for estates decarbonisation and resilience across the public sector. Expect consultancy, delivery and measurable outcomes that reduce carbon, improve asset performance and cut running costs.
In this guide, we’ll explain what SES covers, how the lots are likely to work, who can buy through it, and how to position a compliant, competitive bid. If you want expert support, Thornton & Lowe provides strategy, bid writing and end to end bid management that turns strong technical delivery into a clear, high scoring submission.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: A national framework for sustainable estates solutions covering strategy, design and delivery.
- Who can use it: NHS and wider public bodies through NHS Commercial Solutions.
- When to act: Preparation now, competition expected in October 2025.
- Why it matters: Strong pipeline demand, clear alignment with net zero and resilience priorities.
- Next step: Speak to us about bid readiness and lot fit. We’ll shape your strategy, write the submission and manage the process for a robust, compliant bid.
Ready to get set for SES? Book a quick discovery call and we’ll map your best route to win.
What Is the Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework?
The Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework is a national route to procure consultancy and delivery services that decarbonise, adapt and improve public estates. It is also referred to as SES or Sustainable Estates 2.
SES enables buyers to access pre-tendered capability for strategy, design and on-site delivery, with clear routes to direct award or mini competition, as set out by NHS Commercial Solutions on the official pipeline and notice pages.
Run by NHS Commercial Solutions, it is described as free to access for NHS organisations and available to a broad range of public bodies, with call off via mini competition or direct award. The intent is a fast, compliant way to deliver sustainable estates projects aligned to health system priorities.
The notice materials indicate a four-lot structure spanning consultancy, building remediation, on-site power and storage, and nature based solutions, covering needs from assessment through to delivery.
Timeline and Status
SES is currently in the market engagement phase. Though early placeholder dates suggested that publication was due in September 2025, we expect the competition to launch in October 2025 instead. Indicative contract dates run from 2 December 2025 to 1 December 2027 with a potential extension.
NHS Commercial Solutions’ materials confirm the framework’s scope and access routes, with direct award and mini competition both available, and set out breadth of eligible users.
Scope and Lots at a Glance
SES is designed to cover end to end needs. It brings together consultancy, works and nature based delivery so buyers can plan, design and implement sustainable improvements through direct award or mini competition.
Lot 1: Consultancy
Strategy, assessments, ecological planning, surveys, impact measurement, design and architectural inputs. Typical outputs include climate risk assessments, energy strategies and investment grade proposals.
Lot 2: Building remediation
A structured menu for fabric and systems upgrades, including insulation, ventilation, windows and doors, heat pumps, CHP, rainwater harvesting, efficient lighting and appliances, solar shading and film.
Lot 3: Power generation and storage
On site renewable generation and storage, with a focus on solar PV and battery solutions to cut operational carbon and costs.
Lot 4: Nature based solutions
Living walls, rainwater gardens, green roofs and wellbeing green spaces to manage heat, water and biodiversity while improving the user experience of estates.
If you want to sharpen your approach to frameworks in general, draw on our practical expert advice for framework agreements.
Who Can Buy Through SES?
SES is set up as a free to access route for NHS organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and can also be used by local authorities, wider public service bodies, social enterprises and CICs, subject to contracting authority approval.
How frameworks operate in practice
A framework sets pre-tendered terms and a roster of suppliers. Buyers then place a call-off contract either by running a mini competition or, where the framework allows and the requirement is precisely defined, by using direct award. This keeps procurement compliant while speeding time to hire.
Direct award vs mini competition
- Direct award: Used when the framework terms and pricing enable a compliant award without further competition.
- Mini competition: Used when buyers want to test methodology, pricing or capability across suppliers under the framework terms.
Typical SES call-off steps
- Confirm eligibility to use the framework and the relevant lot.
- Choose the route.
- Issue a concise specification with deliverables, KPIs and mobilisation.
- Evaluate against published criteria and award. Publish the award notice where required.
If you need a refresher on how these mechanisms operate within NHS procurement frameworks, the process is straightforward once your organisation is set up on the framework.
Ready for SES?
Get bid writing helpSupplier Fit: Eligibility and Expectations
SES will reward suppliers that can prove safe delivery, measurable carbon impact and value. Evaluators look for clear technical competence, robust controls and a practical plan to mobilise quickly.
Core capabilities to evidence
- Recent, relevant projects across estates decarbonisation, adaptation or remediation, with quantified outcomes on carbon, energy and cost.
- Qualified people for your lot. Expect to reference disciplines such as building services, architecture, sustainability, ecology and programme management.
- Compliance with recognised standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. For digital and data, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus help. Where applicable, trade and scheme memberships such as MCS, NICEIC, Gas Safe or manufacturer accreditations.
Alignment with NHS requirements
Show how your designs and delivery approach meet the NHS Net Zero Building Standard and how you will track, report and optimise outcomes over the life of the call off.
Commercials and controls
Outline pricing models that suit mini competitions as well as direct award. Be explicit on risk allocation, warranties and performance KPIs. Include supply chain management, modern slavery controls and lifecycle considerations for key technologies.
What bid evaluators expect to see
- Targeted method statements tailored to the lot and setting.
- Mobilisation plan covering governance, H&S, CDM competence and site access.
- Programme with milestones, dependencies and handover.
- Case studies using before and after data, with client references.
- CVs and role matrices that match the scope.
- Social value commitments that are specific, deliverable and evidenced.
If you are evolving your approach to NHS procurement, build a library of compliant evidence now, then refine per competition so your team can turn around high quality responses at pace.
How to Prepare Now
Get the basics in place so you can move fast when the Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework opens.
Map the opportunity
Confirm which lots fit your core offer. List deliverables you can execute today, those you can partner for, and those you will develop. Build a light evidence matrix that ties each deliverable to projects, references and CVs.
Audit compliance and standards
Check certifications, insurances, H&S, data security and scheme memberships. Note any gaps and plan how to close them before launch. Line up template risk registers, method statements and project controls.
Build your content library
Create two or three tailored method statements per lot. Curate 3 to 5 case studies that show measurable outcomes with clear before and after data. Draft concise CVs with role alignment and project evidence.
Shape your pricing
Decide how you will price direct awards versus mini competitions. Prepare rate cards, assumptions and risk allowances. Stress test margins using best and worst case scenarios.
Position social value
Align commitments to local health needs, skills, SME spend and environmental outcomes. Make them specific, measurable and deliverable inside the call off term.
Plan mobilisation
Write a short mobilisation plan covering governance, site readiness, supply chain, CDM competence and early risk treatment. Add a simple delivery dashboard to track safety, programme, cost and benefits.
If you want specialist support, our bid writing for healthcare tenders blends technical accuracy with persuasive scoring language so evaluators can see the value quickly. For a full turnkey approach that handles strategy, content, submissions and clarifications, our bid writing services provide end to end bid management and quality assurance.
How Thornton & Lowe Helps
Winning places on SES will take sharp strategy, tight project control and high scoring quality responses. We bring a full bid team to the table so you can focus on delivery.
Bid writing that scores
Our in-house writers turn complex technical content into clear, compliant answers that match the scoring matrix. We build method statements, case studies and CVs that prove risk control, measurable outcomes and mobilisation readiness. Our service is built around a win rate consistently above 78%, backed by long term client retention.
End-to-end bid management
From capture and storyboarding to final submission, we run the plan, schedule writer inputs and manage clarifications. Expect structured reviews at pink and red stages, tracked actions and quality assurance against criteria.
Assurance, training and tooling
If you need a final check, we provide independent reviews against the published criteria. We also coach internal teams to raise bid quality and speed, and can advise on simple bid-tech set-ups to streamline content and approvals.
Looking to expand your pipeline while SES is finalised? Track opportunities and build momentum with regularly updated live NHS contracts so your team stays match fit.
FAQs
What is the Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework?
A national route to procure consultancy and delivery services that decarbonise, adapt and improve public sector estates. It enables compliant, faster awards via direct award or mini competition.
When will the tender open?
The competition is currently expected in October 2025. No exact date has been published. Treat all dates as indicative until the tender notice is released.
Who can use SES once it is live?
NHS organisations and a broad range of public sector bodies. Access will be set out in the framework documentation and call off guidance.
What kinds of services are in scope?
Four broad areas: consultancy and design, building remediation, on site power generation and storage, and nature based solutions. Expect end to end capability from assessment through delivery and verification.
How do direct award and mini competition differ?
Direct award can be used where the requirement is precisely defined and the framework allows it. Mini competitions test approach, pricing and capability against published criteria, then award to the highest scoring supplier.
What will suppliers need to demonstrate?
Relevant experience with measurable outcomes, qualified teams aligned to the lot, robust H&S and governance, and compliance with recognised standards. Evidence of alignment with the NHS Net Zero Building Standard will help.
How should we prepare pricing?
Set clear rate cards and assumptions for direct award, plus a pricing approach that can flex to mini competition models. Stress test your margins and risk allowances.
Do SMEs stand a chance on SES?
Yes. Lotting, clear specifications and transparent evaluation help level the field. Strong, relevant case studies and precise method statements can outperform scale alone.
What if we are new to frameworks?
Start by understanding how a framework agreement operates and how call offs are placed. Build a small library of compliant evidence, then tailor it per opportunity.
Where do we start if we need help?
If you want support, we provide strategy, bid writing services and end to end bid management. We can map your lot fit, create scoring content and manage the submission so you are ready when SES opens.
Secure Your Place on Sustainable Estates 2
Ready to turn capability into a winning submission? Tell us your lot focus and we’ll map a clear plan, assemble the bid team and manage the process from strategy to final upload. If you want us to write, we write. If you need full bid management, we run it end to end. Let’s get you competition ready.
