PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works

Under investment in the NHS, compounded by the impact of an unprecedented pandemic, rising demand and an ageing population, has left health and social care services under extreme pressure with facilities that aren’t always fit for purpose to meet this demand.  

The NHS in England has 1,500 hospitals that have a regular need to increase capacity through new bed space and facilities, and without regular renovation the care, safety and wellbeing of patients, hospital staff and the public can be compromised.  

The PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework Agreement can support you with all types of building and construction works including design, alteration and refurbishment, which includes electrics and plumbing, and works packages including demolition and remediations. We can also support with the creation of planning applications and full architectural design, giving you end-to-end support. 

It is based on eight core principles that suppliers are required to embrace and commit to, ensuring the delivery of Social Value, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), collaboration, and an integrated supply chain, in line with government strategies, to ensure works are completed more cost effectively, while maintaining high build quality.  

For ease of use, the framework agreement has clear regionalised pricing and a uniform national pricing structure to help locate the right supplier for the right project. The agreement allows for access to large national contractors, but also a healthy number of regional SMEs to suit all types of construction projects.   

The PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework Agreement forms part of a wider solution that focusses on, ‘future-proofing estates and infrastructure’, helping to achieve NHSE estates and infrastructure targets. 

What dates is the framework agreement active?
17 December 2020 – 16 December 2025

Who can take advantage of the framework agreement?
All Public Sector Organisations across the UK including NHS, Local Authorities, Universities, Schools, Housing Associations, Police, Blue Lights, Central Government and all third sector organisations.

What does this framework agreement cover?
The PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework Agreement aims to provide the NHS and wider public sector clients with a compliant route to market for the provision of quality and value for money construction works projects from a mixture of tier 1 and regional contractors.

• All types of building & construction works, including, but not limited to new builds, refurbishments and associated mechanical, electrical, civil engineering and services works.
• Related design and other services as part of a design and build or construction only project.
• Alteration and refurbishment as well as building maintenance including modifications to the buildings which may include electrics, plumbing and waste connections; this could include upgrading existing services and carrying out any maintenance work and repairs.
• Enabling works packages which includes demolition, remediation, asbestos and contaminant handling, and civil engineering works that are necessary to the building project itself.
• Contractors are able to provide additional services that include but are not limited to a feasibility study, planning application, full architectural design, enabling works, site works, landscaping, and soft landings as part of a full turnkey package.

Framework Agreement Principles
The framework is established under 8 core objectives which the contractors are required to embrace and commit to the realisation of:

• 1. Social Value – NHS SBS and Participating Authorities have a universal and strong social conscience and have embraced the implications of the Social Value. Contractor(s) are expected to align to the principles, obligations and aspirations set out in the Social Value Act (2012) when delivering projects under the framework agreement, with regards to their behaviour and culture in respect of Corporate Social Responsibility.
• 2. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) – Encouraging the use of modern methods of construction in line with government strategies. Contractor(s) are expected to embrace MMC in line with all current and future government strategies to ensure works are completed more cost effectively, while also maintaining build quality.
• 3. Value for Money – Provide demonstrable value for money for public sector Participating Authorities including delivering projects on budget, on time and with additional added value through social commitments – As a minimum, contractors are required to deliver projects on budget and on time. However, the Framework will evidence value for money beyond this to include social value and long-term operational cost benefits.
• 4. Collaboration – Collaborative partnership between Contractors, NHS SBS and Participating Authorities to continuously improve processes and maximise long term investment within the public sector – NHS SBS will maximise the impact of the collective group of contractors, ranging in size and location across the UK. Contractors will have a wealth of lessons learned to help improve local competition mechanisms and maximise early involvement in projects.
• 5. Participating Authority Satisfaction – Provide guaranteed high-quality Participating Authority satisfaction to all public sector organisations and become the framework of choice for healthcare and wider public sector projects – Participating Authority satisfaction is essential to retain and attract Participating Authorities to the Framework.
• 6. Quality – Maximise innovation and best practice within the industry to maintain a quality driven agenda through all project stages – It is critical that all Projects are delivered to the exact quality specification requirements set out by the Participating Authority to minimise operational impact.
• 7. Procurement – Improve procurement processes by early, open, and transparent supply chain engagement including robust and well-defined processes and fair payment terms – To maintain fair and sustainable treatment of the supply chain and maximise efficiencies and innovation.
• 8. Integrated supply chain – The possibility to utilise NHS SBS’s extensive range of complimentary frameworks to procure relevant goods and services. Including but not limited to Construction Consultancy Services, Hard and Soft FM, and Modular Buildings. We have an established, off the shelf supply chain in place within our current portfolio of frameworks which may be used by Principal Contractors and/or participating authorities.

The framework agreement has been structured in the following lots:
Throughout the Lots, sustainable IT, deployment and support services are available

• Lot 1: Public Sector and Healthcare: £0m – £2.5m (12 regions) – Maximum of 10 Contractors per region
• Lot 2: Public Sector and Healthcare: £2.5m – £5m (12 regions) – Maximum of 10 Contractors per region
• Lot 3: Public Sector: £5m – £15m (12 regions) – Maximum of 10 Contractors per region
• Lot 4: Public Sector: £15m – £35m (national) – 8 Contractors
• Lot 5: Public Sector: £35m+ (national) – 7 Contractors

What are the benefits of using this framework agreement?
Compliant Route to Market
A detailed procurement exercise has taken place therefore no formal tendering is required, saving valuable time & money in the procurement process.

Further Competitions
Ability to tailor individual requirements via the use of further competitions.

Direct Award
The agreement allows all participating authorities to direct award if the conditions laid out in the framework agreement are met.

Clear Pricing Structure
Clear regionalised pricing structure for Lots 1-3 and uniform national pricing structure for Lots 4 & 5.

Form of Call-off Contract
The choice and flexibility to utilise a number of model form contracts such as JCT and NEC.

Collaborative
The framework is built upon the FAC-1 Contract to ensure collaboration throughout.

Local and National Contractors
The agreement allows for access to large national Contractors, but also a healthy number of regional SMEs to suit all types of construction projects.

Government Strategy and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
Support government strategy by ensuring that social value, sustainability and MMC are incorporated within the agreement to ensure best value is delivered.

Construction Playbook
Although this framework agreement predates the Playbook, a number of the key themes we have introduced chime with the government’s stated aims.

Awarded Contractors by Lot

Awarded Contractors – Lot 1: Public Sector and Healthcare: £0M – £2.5M

Awarded Contractors – Lot 2: Public Sector and Healthcare: £2.5m – £5m

Awarded Contractors – Lot 3: Public Sector: £5m – £15m

Awarded Contractors – Lot 4: Public Sector: £15m – £35m

Awarded Contractors – Lot 5: Public Sector: £35m+