Education Funding Agency chiefs said the overhauled framework will be worth £3bn and cover the spread of free schools and academies and other education facilities.

The country will be divided into north and south regions as before, but under the new deal the agency aims to speed up the design engagement process.

It said contractors would provide design and construction services, which will mean them working with architects, mechanical and electrical designers and installers, landscape architects, education furniture specialists and other related professionals in their supply chain.

The new framework will replace the existing version when it expires in November this year.

It will be used by the EFA, Academy Trusts and local authorities to select construction partners for the delivery of capital building projects.

Mike Green, Director of EFA Capital, said: “The existing Contractors’ Framework has demonstrated the value of this approach, both in terms of providing best value for money to the public purse and making it simpler and quicker to procure as well as providing a quick route to site.

“We have seen a number of local authorities choosing to use the Contractors’ Framework for their own locally-funded projects, as well as for those funded by central government, which speaks volumes about the effectiveness and efficiency of using this kind of framework.”

He said the new framework would retain the best features of the current framework, including the call-off process.

The two geographical sectors used in the current framework will be retained. The first sector is made up of the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The second is made up of the East of England, the South West, the South East and London.

Bidders will be able to express an interest in one or both regional sectors.

The EFA expects to go out to OJEU on the new framework soon after Easter in April. The successful contractors are expected to be in place and bidding for work from December 2013.