Firms will be selected for a new £11bn construction framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a £2bn framework for Scotland – ranking it as one of the biggest covering the UK.

These next-generation frameworks introduce a parallel lotting structure to give clients the option to engage early with two contractors before awarding a project.

All delivery partners must be Level 2 BIM compliant and meet Scape sustainability requirements, which will be detailed later this summer.

The invitation to bid was delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak but will now resume with a new refreshed lot structure covering small, medium and major projects.

One contractor will be appointed to each lot

The four-year framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which has the option to be extended until 2027, builds on the existing National Construction and Minor Works frameworks.

So far these have seen over 800 projects delivered to date by partners Willmott Dixon, Robertson, Wates, Lendlease and Kier.

Projects have been supported regionally by Farrans, McLaughlin and Harvey, Henry Brothers and a UK-wide network of SMEs.

In Scotland, there will be four lots, two covering smaller works up to £7.5m and two for larger projects.

The new simplified frameworks will continue the fully managed, direct award model that has become synonymous with Scape.

They are also designed to support a growing list of project objectives that the public sector seeks to address.

These include enhanced local economic engagement and supporting the achievement of the UK’s 2050 net-zero carbon commitments.

Users of the framework will also benefit from a wider range of NEC contract options.

These new contracts increase scope for collaboration and flexibility across the supply chain on longer-term, higher-value projects or for specifying performance objectives that cover the full life cycle of an asset.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “The construction industry has a clear mandate from the Prime Minister to build back better.

“The entire sector has experienced a shock to the system over recent months. As a public sector organisation, we have a duty to play our part in accelerating project delivery and to ensure that the right mix of contractors is available to support the sector with a real commitment to innovation and local delivery.

“Importantly, we need to ensure that the wide range of adjacent social, economic and environmental objectives are uncovered upfront; that they are planned in and treated with the same rigour as time, cost and quality.

Prospective bidders can register an interest in attending Scape’s upcoming market awareness webinar events for the new National Construction Framework by visiting www.scapegroup.co.uk/services/procure/live-procurement.

Formal invitation to tender will be issued to shortlisted firms in the first quarter of next year, with wining partners announced in May.