Mark Robinson

Innovative modular housing scheme completes in Lincolnshire

Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed works on an innovative modular housing scheme in Grantham, which is the first of its kind in the region. Delivered for South Kesteven District Council, through the Scape Regional Construction framework, the scheme comprises two modular housing developments valued at a total of

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Scape Introduces New £7bn Procurement Framework

Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Mark Robinson

BOOST FOR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AS SCAPE UNVEILS £4BN NATIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING FRAMEWORKS

Total value of the SCAPE Civil Engineering frameworks to increase from £2.1bn to £4bn. The re-procurement includes a £3.25bn framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a separate £750m framework for Scotland, managed and operated by SCAPE Scotland. Frameworks will allow organisations access to net-zero ready specialist contractors to help them achieve their aims around climate change. Up to £4bn of new public sector civil engineering projects for local communities across the UK are set to be accelerated as part of a new set of frameworks being launched by SCAPE. The new format puts net zero carbon construction and work for local SMEs at the heart of delivery. The public sector procurement authority has published details for its third generation Civil Engineering frameworks, with major contractors from across the UK invited to take part in the re-procurement in 2022. The re-procurement includes a £3.25bn framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a separate £750m framework for Scotland, managed and operated by SCAPE Scotland. Running for a period of four years from 2023, with an option to be extended for a further two years until 2029, the fully-managed frameworks will more than double the capacity of infrastructure focused activity procured through SCAPE. This follows the success of its existing frameworks which have commissioned more than 250 projects to date for public sector clients across the UK. The current frameworks are due to expire in January 2023.  SCAPE’s new frameworks will enable local authorities and public sector organisations to accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects – including highways, rail, flood and coastal, broadband and electric vehicle infrastructure – with no defined upper limit for project value. In the face of the climate emergency, the frameworks will also allow organisations access to net-zero ready specialist contractors to help them achieve their aims around climate change. Local businesses will sit at the heart of the new frameworks, with the successful principal contractor expected to engage with an extensive supply chain of SMEs. This allows better access for small businesses to major public sector contracts they might otherwise not have been able to bid for, while also allowing clients to procure locally-sourced specialist services. They will also benefit from being able to agree termed service options following any major works, allowing contractors to form long term relationships with clients and local supply chains. Contractors will also be able to agree cost reimbursable contracts through the addition of NEC Option E. Part of the SCAPE’s suite of direct award frameworks, the new civil engineering frameworks have been developed following engagement with local authorities and other public sector bodies across the country, as well as industry body the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). SCAPE, which is currently performance managing more than 1,800 publicly funded projects across the UK will be holding virtual market awareness days for prospective bidders on 17th January 2022 for Scotland and 19th January 2022 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Bidders are invited to tender for either one or both frameworks. A Contract Notice will be published in February 2022 with preferred bidders announced in November 2022. For full details of timescales and information on the SCAPE Civil Engineering frameworks re-procurement, visit www.scape.co.uk/liveprocurement. John Simons, group procurement director at SCAPE, said: “The expansion of our civil engineering frameworks comes at a time when regeneration and investment in local infrastructure are playing a vital role in creating stronger local economies in a post-pandemic world. “As a leading voice for the public sector, we’ve evolved our frameworks to provide our public sector colleagues with a platform to address the UK’s infrastructure needs in the coming years, with a greater focus than ever on facilitating the journey towards a net zero future. “We’ve received positive feedback from clients using the existing frameworks and by building on its success, we can help local authorities to achieve their objectives while providing a best-in-class direct award route to market that is underpinned by the fully managed approach we’ve developed over the past 15 years.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, added: “Construction activity has been the bedrock of the country’s economic recovery and our civil engineering frameworks will further help contractors to deliver projects that will continue to ignite local economies and drive better outcomes for communities across the UK. “Through the addition of a termed service agreement option, the four-year frameworks will allow contractors to build long-term relationships with clients and supply chain partners, helping them to grow their business and employ new staff from the local communities they serve.”

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Innovative modular housing scheme completes in Lincolnshire

Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed works on an innovative modular housing scheme in Grantham, which is the first of its kind in the region. Delivered for South Kesteven District Council, through the Scape Regional Construction framework, the scheme comprises two modular housing developments valued at a total of £2.1m, which will provide critical social housing to meet the current requirements of the local authority. Works commenced at the two developments – Kinoulton Court and Earlesfield Lane – late last year and the plots were completed in summer. The 2,200 sq. ft. Earlesfield development comprises a block of four one-bedroom semi-detached apartments and Kinoulton Court is a 5,400 sq. ft. housing development comprising 10 one-bedroom apartments split into two blocks – one of which has four one-bedroom apartments and the other, six one-bedroom apartments. Delivered by lorry to site, the houses were fitted onto prepared foundations which include functioning pipe works and electrics. This process ensures that time is saved at the construction stage, with 10 weeks of programme time being saved for this particular scheme, compared to traditional methods. Works on both South Kesteven plots involved clearance of the sites – as Earlesfield was a small car park and Kinoulton Court, underutilised land. Prior to the installation of the modular units by supply chain partner, Premier Modular Ltd, a full enabling groundworks package was required for each plot with foundations, drainage and a protective ground gas membrane. The homes were then roofed and cladded on site, before external works were undertaken to each property including fenced boundaries, landscaped gardens, carparking and footpaths. External elevations were fitted with insulation and brick slips, and all internal finishes were completed by Premier Modular Ltd including UPVC glazing, mechanical and electrical works, plastering, decorations, flooring and commissioning. The traditional timber truss roofs and slate tiling was completed on site due to restrictions with transporting overly large modular building sections through the narrow residential streets. Craig Stopper, framework manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this critical modular housing scheme in the region, to facilitate the fundamental need for social housing for South Kesteven District Council. “The modular housing plots were completed on-time and to a high standard which is a testament to our project teams and local supply chain partners, who have quickly adapted to the new guidelines which have been introduced as a result of the pandemic, to ensure safe working and social distancing on site. “We are certainly seeing an increase in the demand for modular construction as an energy efficient, comprehensive solution for social housing, that provides high-quality, affordable, easily accessible and adaptable accommodation. As modular sites are relatively unaffected by environmental delays such as bad weather – less logistical transport is required for materials which is more environmentally friendly and generates less waste.” SKDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Robert Reid, said: “We are building new homes in a range of different ways and the modular housing project is unique for us in that it has not been a traditional on-site build. “These are ambitious new-style developments providing homes for those who need them most and I am delighted to say both modular housing plots are fully occupied. We are creating a better quality of life for our residents, which is part of our vision for the future of this district.” Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “The UK’s housing shortage needs to be addressed with speed and efficiency, so it’s exciting to see G F Tomlinson and South Kesteven District Council using our Regional Construction framework and innovative modular construction methods to do just that. We take great pride in helping them to deliver a regional first strategy that will be of huge benefit to local communities.”

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Scape Introduces New £7bn Procurement Framework

Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEU) Scape. The organisation said that it has increased the value of its main procurement framework following feedback from clients, gathered during the many market consultation sessions it has held and continues to hold. Scape went on to say that the £1.5bn boost is indicative of growing demand amongst clients for effective, efficient project delivery, programme certainty and financial security. The framework is divided into five, according to geographical region and nature of works. It appears below: A greater number of lead contractors are expected to be awarded the new framework – unlike Scape’s previous procurement framework which was overwhelming dominated by big name contractor, Willmott Dixon. Bidding contractors will have the opportunity to bag up to two of the three regional lots or one of either Major Works UK or Principal Works (UK) thus providing them access to a greater variety of suppliers and service providers within the framework. As always, just one managing contractor take the helm, supported by a broad and all-encompassing local supply chain. Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of Scape Group, is hopeful about the potential of the new £7bn framework and firmly believes that it will match the changing expectations of contractors and clients alike. From public consultations, Mark also suggested that the increased value would enable public sector bodies, in particular, to continue regeneration works and meet demand for housing in a high quality, cost-effective and on time way. Mark Robinson added that the public’s recent decision to leave the EU would not affect the introduction of the new procurement framework and that “it is very much business as usual” for Scape. Successful bidders for the new framework are expected to be announced early next year. By May 2017, it is predicted to have fully fazed out the National Major Works framework that Scape currently offers.

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