The Centre of Procurement Expertise has joined forces with 11 Scottish councils to implement the framework, which will enable contracts for housing developments to be formed up until summer 2023.

The clock is ticking for companies that are looking to get involved in the framework. The ITP can be accessed via the Contract Notice published on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

Jennifer McKerrall, Scotland Excel’s strategic programme manager, said: “This is a significant contract opportunity for the construction industry over the next four years to deliver new public social housing. The ITP is now live and if a company doesn’t complete their Request to Participate by 14 January, they will have unfortunately missed the chance to take part in the framework.”  

Eleven councils have partnered with Scotland Excel to fund the development of this framework - a joint approach which demonstrates a commitment to delivering significant new business for the construction sector.

Further spend is expected from the other Scottish councils and housing associations who can also use the framework.

The framework lotting structure has been specifically designed to open up opportunities for SMEs to participate, as well as large companies. Companies can tender to build small projects of 1-15 properties with the choice of ‘build only’ or ‘design and build’ depending on their capabilities, and there are further lots for 16-25, 26-40 and 40+ properties. Companies can also bid to deliver projects nationally or submit offers for specific council areas.

Scotland Excel has engaged extensively with the construction sector to ensure it firmly understands business needs. The framework has been designed around a commercial model aligned to the industry’s typical pricing structure, with standard templates and SBCC terms and conditions to make it easy for contractors to bid for work packages once the framework is in place.

It will also address a number of areas highlighted within the recent industry strategy published by Construction Scotland, including: 30 day payment terms, aggregation of demand to ensure a sustainable pipeline of work, and providing local opportunities for Scottish SMEs. 

The Scotland Excel New Build Residential Construction Framework’s ITP will close on 14 January 2019. The framework is due to go live in August 2019.