The change in contracting strategy on one of the country’s biggest framework was revealed as key council players Hampshire and Devon County Councils launch early market engagement for the upcoming sixth generation renewal contest.

The £4.5bn SCF6 framework, due to go live in May 2027, will combine higher and lower value projects into one arrangement, ending the current split between SCF’s £4m+ jobs and the separate domestic frameworks both councils have been running below that threshold.

Procurement will begin in early 2026 and, for the first time, SCF will be open to both two-stage and single-stage routes on lower value projects, in recognition of changing client demands.

The move marks a major shift for SCF, which has traditionally promoted early contractor involvement as standard.

Framework bosses stressed collaboration would remain central, but said a hybrid or single-stage option would help clients and contractors in certain bands.

SCF6 will run for four years across the South East, South West and London, though it will remain open to all public sector bodies in England. The framework will be split by geography and project value, covering schemes above £1m.

SCF5 has already delivered £1.59bn of work in just over half its four-year term, achieving 83% of its turnover target.

Kingsley Clarke, head of SCF South West, urged contractors to shape the new deal: “We acknowledge that we need to consider being more open to a single stage or hybrid approach to projects of a certain value, and welcome contractor contributions on this and more.”

James Wright, head of SCF South East and London, added: “We want to continue this collaboration as we move into SCF6, and encourage all construction stakeholders, clients, consultants and contractors to complete the survey as well as engage with us on a 1-1 basis to discuss the principles and details.”

Engagement notice and survey can be found here.