Procurement chiefs are offering the prospect of sharing major hospital building works among all firms that secure spots on the £37bn Hospital 2.0 Alliance framework, which will run for potentially 12 years.

The tender invitation also pledges swiftly to award contracts for the first of the three waves of schemes in the new hospital programme.

NHS England is specifically on the hunt for main contractors with experience in construction and integration works on major complex life-critical programmes.

Additionally, it is developing a more standardised approach to design and delivery, which was initiated under the previous hospital building program, to unlock efficiencies and accelerate construction.

Recognising the effort required to submit bids, the H2A tender notice states: “This is not intended to be a speculative framework, and it is intended by NHSE  – though not guaranteed – that all H2A Contractors will be awarded a call-off contract or contracts.”

The call-offs for the first schemes are intended to be made swiftly after award so that all the H2A contactors on the framework agreement are mobilised as soon as possible. This approach aims to leverage and optimise participation of the market and to allow for investment and growth.

Three hospital schemes are hoped to start in the 2025/26 financial year where contractors have already been selected in Poole (IHP), Plymouth (Willmott Dixon) and Cambridge (Laing O’Rourke).

A further 13 schemes will advance in 27/28. For scheme details click here.

Firms have until 19 March to submit applications with shortlisted contractors invited to tender in early May.