Are you using construction frameworks strategically to deliver value for money?
When you think of construction procurement frameworks, what springs to mind?
Are they something used by the largest national contractors bidding to deliver multi-million pound projects? Are they suitable only for organisations that don’t have dedicated purchasing departments? Do frameworks add an extra layer of complication and cost and can you procure suppliers better yourself?
Why waste time and money to go it alone?
For local councils, social housing providers and housing associations, public sector frameworks can be one of the most efficient and effective ways to save both time and money across your construction and maintenance projects. In this article, I’ll explain how.
Public sector frameworks: a brief overview
Simply put, public sector frameworks are an agreement with suppliers that enables contracting authorities (clients) to procure specific products and services with the support of a framework provider, like CPC, throughout the tendering process.
When developing a new framework CPC seek the views of all our clients to determine the scope and specification that meets their current and future needs. Suppliers can apply to join the new framework when the framework provider publishes a contract notice, which formally tells all potential suppliers about a public sector contract opportunity. This window is open for a set period of time, during which suppliers can submit their application.
CPC reviews these applications following a set of strict criteria, using our competent technical subject matter experts. We choose the suppliers who will offer customers a careful balance of the best service, the highest quality work to recognised industry standards, and the most competitive price.
Local knowledge and expertise rate highly on our selection criteria, so we source the best suppliers within your region to carry out the works. Moreover, in many areas our work already meets the Gold Standard requirements as set out in Professor David Mosey’s report, Constructing the Gold Standard.
The assessment and scoring process ensures that all suppliers have the knowledge, training and accreditations to carry out the work. Our qualified and experienced procurement teams also make sure we comply with all public procurement regulations and that all the correct paperwork, insurances and certifications are in place for any products supplied.
This saves contracting authorities a huge amount of time and money in the procurement process, reducing the risk of selecting the wrong supplier and enabling you to fast-track to get your project started.
What’s the benefit to local authorities?
Why make procurement difficult? It is no secret that local councils across the country are under huge financial pressure. In addition, with constant demands to improve services across all areas while simultaneously reducing costs, finding the best way to do this is essential. With construction projects, many local authorities may lack the technical knowledge or simply the resources to undertake the full-blown procurement process alone, which is why they often turn to framework providers for support.
Local authorities that use frameworks will then have access to a pool of pre-approved suppliers, who have already been assessed for quality and cost. At CPC, we do this on a regional basis so contracting authorities know that they are using local suppliers which also contributes to the social value of the project.
Sustainable pipeline
Suppliers who successfully join the framework can be confident that there is a sustainable pipeline of work that is available via the framework. Each of our frameworks runs for four years and some of them have been run by our parent company LHC for decades, delivering value for suppliers and clients alike throughout that time.
With a framework in place, there is a much faster procurement route which means that projects can get started sooner. For pressured local authorities working to tight timescales and annual targets, this speed to delivery is invaluable.
The power of collaboration
One critical aspect of our frameworks is the way they encourage closer collaboration between client and supplier. Our client support managers develop strong working relationships with you, helping with planning, smoothing the process, troubleshooting any problems and ensuring a successful project for all.
In addition, because we are embedded within your industry, we understand the issues and the pressures you’re under and can find ways to work together to solve any problems. We also act as a hub to bring together clients across our region, to share lessons learned and best practice with the aim of continual improvement for all.
Help us to help you by becoming a CPC member
Any public sector organisation can reap the benefits of working with CPC as outlined above. But there is a raft of additional benefits available to organisations who become CPC members or partners.
We’re a not-for-profit organisation and any surplus we make during the year is offered back to our members in the form of a rebate that can be spent on local, community projects that deliver social value. To learn more about how this works, read on here.
In addition to the annual rebate, you’ll also be able to influence the development of future CPC frameworks, ensuring that they always cater for your needs. You’ll also get access to more value-added services and additional technical support.
Saving you more time and resources
CPC members receive financial rebates when they use our frameworks. In addition, later this year, we will expand our membership benefit package to include a free of charge call-off service to run mini competitions for our popular frameworks. This service will further simplify and streamline the procurement process for CPC members, making it even faster and easier.
Becoming a CPC member is a simple process and is free of charge. To find out more about CPC membership or any of our frameworks, please get in touch with us here.
