The HCA claims up to four months can be shaved off the OJEU tendering process using its new Engineering Panel offering a full range of expertise.

Steve Carr, head of new business and economics at the HCA, said: “Our new Engineering framework shows the type of support we can offer to the sector, making it quicker and cheaper for local authorities and other publicly funded bodies to buy the technical advice and services they need.

Engineering services covered include transport and highways, geotechnical and remediation, environmental, and mechanical and electrical engineering.

The HCA’s Engineering Panel is the third of four new frameworks, which will replace the Agency’s current portfolio of 21 more specialist panels.

Companies were appointed to a Multi-disciplinary Panel and a Property Panel last year, while members of a new Design Panel will be appointed in the coming months.

More than 180 local authorities and other partners have procured well over £100m of business in just under three years through the HCA’s existing panels, with an estimated  £25m cost saving.

In establishing its new panels the HCA has further increased the potential for savings by negotiating better tender rates from the successful companies.