The deal for jobs in an area spanning from Lincolnshire to Essex will see the firms share anywhere between £100m to £250m worth of design and build work, each project valued up to £12m.

Firms signed off the new “partnering charters” in London at the start of this week.

Now the five firms will be invited to engage in ‘mini-competitions’, tendering for design & build solutions as projects come through the pipeline over the next four years.

It is the first of seven capital works frameworks being procured under the Next Generation Estate Contracts programme.

There are five other regional frameworks and one national framework for projects worth up to £50m.

Contractors will introduce the use of BIM and the NEC3 form of contract as well a champion prompt payment principles through the use of project bank accounts and other initiatives.

It is expected that, in addition to supporting other requirements, the frameworks will be used to procure a significant proportion of work in support of military rebasing up to 2020.

Andrew Manley, DIO chief executive, said: “Our priority is to support our Armed Forces as they live, work and train on the military estate.

“I am pleased that future Defence construction requirements will start to be met through this Framework consisting of these respected businesses in what will be a busy time for military rebasing and site development.

“The Capital Works Frameworks programme will ensure ongoing competitive tension, better value for money, and will speed up the procurement of projects.”