The procurement body unveiled the big change as its prepared to start the race for the revamped national construction framework for public projects worth more than £2m.

With a total estimated value of £5.5bn over four years the new framework consisting of five lots is the the biggest yet to be offered to contractors.

The existing national major works framework, currently led by Willmott Dixon, has delivered 60 projects for the public sector with 100 more currently in progress.

This is all set to change from May 2017 with multiple winners expected to be appointed the first time, answering some concern among contractors that too much work was being handed to one firm.

New regional lots covering projects from £2m-£20m are being rolled out for Scotland, Wales and a combined England and Northern Ireland lot.

Contractors will also be able to bid for two UK-wide options covering larger projects.

Bidders will be able to win up to two of the three regional lots or one of the two UK-wide lots.

The new structure follows an extensive programme of consultation with the market and the public sector.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “By opening up this framework to more providers and an extended local supply chain that are of the highest calibre, we can deliver a great deal more to our clients in the public sector.

“The new National Construction Framework is more flexible, offering a choice of providers, and better responds to the unique needs of our colleagues in Scotland and Wales.

“It also brings extra capacity at a time when the public sector is facing unprecedented financial challenges, with an ever greater need to do more with public sector buildings and increasing demand for high quality and cost-effective construction.

“We have listened to the market and the public sector – this new structure delivers more for both.”

A programme of market awareness events will follow between April and June 2016, with an OJEU Notice for the new framework scheduled to be issued in June.

Successful bidders will be announced in January 2017, with the framework becoming operational by May 2017.

For full details of timescales and market awareness events, click here.