Introducing Hard FM3: Launch Webinar
Whether you’re reviewing existing contracts, planning future procurement activity or seeking a compliant route to market, this webinar will introduce the new Hard Facilities Management 3 (Hard FM3) Framework (SBS10524) and demonstrate how it can support your organisation’s estates and maintenance requirements.
Growing maintenance backlog, coupled with increasing levels of high and significant-risk maintenance, highlights the importance of effective hard facilities management in maintaining safe, compliant and resilient environments. Safe environments in healthcare settings, from infection control through to the maintenance and upkeep of medical facilities and equipment, have a direct impact on patient safety, quality of care and workforce wellbeing.
The National Audit Office (NAO) reported that maintenance backlog across government property has reached at least £49 billion, with the Ministry of Defence, NHS and school estates accounting for around 88% of the total backlog. It also found that poor estate condition is affecting frontline services, contributing to an average of 5,400 NHS clinical service incidents annually due to property and infrastructure failures.
The latest NHS Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC) data for 2025/26 shows that the cost of eradicating backlog maintenance across the NHS estate has risen to £17.3 billion, exceeding the £14.4 billion annual cost of operating the entire NHS estate.
Hard FM 3 helps organisations maintain the internal and external physical assets of their estates, supporting compliance, safety, operational resilience and sustainability. The framework covers reactive and planned maintenance, minor works, space reconfiguration, building fabric and engineering services, computer assisted facilities management (CAFM solutions), building management systems (BMS) and digital estate technologies that support efficient building performance and improved user outcomes.
Framework Agreement Information
Hard FM3 provides NHS and wider public sector organisations with a compliant, efficient route to procure a full range of hard FM services. Designed to support safe, resilient and sustainable estates, it covers planned, reactive and specialist maintenance, statutory compliance, managed services and associated consumables.
What dates is the framework agreement active?
20 October 2026 – 19 October 2028
Option to extend to 19 October 2030
Who can take advantage of the framework agreement?
NHS and wider public sector organisations
How was the framework agreement procured?
Further competition and direct award
Via this framework agreement, you can run a further competition, or choose to direct award to a supplier in compliance with Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts Regulations.
How we can support?
We offer different levels of support, including SME advice and robust templates for you to easily run your own process, or additional support to design and run a further competition on your behalf.
How can I access the framework agreement?
Access framework agreement documentation via our Customer Framework Agreement Portal (CFAP)
The framework agreement has been structured in the following lots:
What are the benefits of using this framework agreement?
REDUCES PROCUREMENT TIME
Provides a single compliant route to market for a comprehensive range of Hard FM services, reducing procurement time and administrative burden while ensuring full compliance with public procurement regulations.
SUPPORTS STATUTORY COMPLIANCE
Supports statutory compliance and improves patient, staff and building safety by providing access to accredited suppliers delivering services in line with HTMs, British Standards and regulatory requirements.
ACCESS SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS
Helps organisations reduce backlog maintenance and improve estate resilience by providing access to specialist suppliers for planned, reactive and lifecycle maintenance services that minimise disruption and infrastructure risk.
SUPPORTS FLEXIBILITY
Offers a flexible commercial model with transparent pricing, including hourly rates, day rates, national schedule of rates and volume discounts, helping organisations achieve greater cost control and demonstrate value for money.
SUPPORTS SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES
Supports NHS Net Zero ambitions and wider sustainability objectives through regional delivery models, SME participation, social value commitments and services that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
SINGLE INTEGRATED SOLUTION
Enables long-term estate transformation through a single integrated solution, allowing organisations to move from reactive maintenance to strategic asset management while reducing supplier complexity and improving operational resilience.
Case Studies
Big Energy and Cost Savings for Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust were facing rising energy costs. To address these challenges, they partnered with appointed Kendra Energy Solutions to implement a modern Building Management System (BMS).
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Estates Support
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust were facing significant backlog maintenance at University Hospital Lewisham. To solve the backlog they procured a Measured Term Contract via Skafftec Ltd T/A R&B Refurbishment.
Supplier Details
Strategic Procurement Support
If this framework agreement doesn’t cover the goods or services you require, or a framework agreement isn’t the optimal route to market for your needs, we can provide tailored strategic procurement support. Find out more here.
