The half a dozen firms on the existing panel – BAM, Galliford Try, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Morgan Sindall and Wates – now face a battle to retain their places on the prized framework for projects worth more than £8m.

The procurement group, first formed by Manchester City Council, is opening the prized framework to the market again after renewing its approach.

This time around the high-value framework is being split into three lots: the first covering works between £8m and £15m; the second covering works ranging between £15m and £35m; and the third including works worth more than £35m.

It is expected that 16 firms will be invited to tender for the first two lots, and 12 will be invited to tender for the third lot.

Successful bidders will join the new three-year set up from October, with NWCH retaining an option to extend for an extra year.

Since its establishment in 2009, the NWCH has delivered 356 projects for 101 clients, worth more than £1.75bn. Projects have been completed across Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and Cheshire through the framework.

Firms have until 13 February to express an interest, with more details found on the procurement portal.