Today the expanding North East procurement group is opening for tender its Major Works framework, suitable for projects valued at over £5m.

Around a dozen contractors will be battling to retain places on the framework, which now spans six regions and three project value bands.

The existing members include major players like Galliford Try, ISG, Laing O’Rourke,  Morgan Sindall, Sir Robert McAlpine, Vinci and Willmott Dixon, as well as Henry Brothers (Magherafelt), Robertson and Sewell Construction.

At the end of this week, Pagabo will also start the race for its Professional Services framework for projects up to £500m.

Presently this framework features more than 50 firms split across 15 lots; including civil, structural and highways engineering, building services, landscaping and building surveying.

Winning contractors and consultants will learn if they have secured a place in December this year, with the second generation frameworks due to go live in April 2020.

Chief executive Simon Toplass said that the frameworks have already delivered “high double digit” growth year on year since their inception in 2016.

Pagabo is predicting the latest frameworks could command a pipeline value of up to £10.5bn

He said: “That growth is expected to continue. We are predicting to more than treble the throughput of projects being delivered by the two frameworks over the next four years.”

Toplass added that bidders would need to show strong finances, lots of relevant experience and, in particular, share three key values and ambitions around social value, supporting SMEs, and technology.

He said: “Importantly, Pagabo’s full suite of eight frameworks has delivered social value of more than £1.5bn to date – and this continues to be a major focus for the organisation.

“Technology, and how suppliers are using it in the construction sector will be the biggest differentiator when we select our partners.

“Pagabo believes that technology is vital for the future of our industry not just to increase productivity and tackle more complex projects, but because it is key to encourage younger people to our industry.

“We know that digital technology is hugely attractive to young people with millions moving into the sector every year. We want to show that digital technology can be applied to construction – and highlighting this could really help bridge the skills gap.”

Submission deadlines for Major Works and Professional Services are 31 October. More information is available from https://www.pagabo.co.uk/.

So far over 450 clients have used Pagabo firms to deliver nearly £700m worth of projects, with over £300m presently in procurement.