Five new procurement frameworks have been launched to support healthcare organisations with their carbon reduction and building compliance targets.

The frameworks, from public sector construction framework provider, LHC, will help public sector organisations, including health trusts, to source expertise in energy efficiency, retrofit, and asset life safety and compliance.

In particular, they will support organisations on the journey to carbon net zero and in complying with government guidelines around building life safety and compliance. 

The announcement follows in the wake of Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP’s release of Mission Zero – Independent Review of Net Zero, recognising that local authorities and communities are often best placed to drive the transition to net zero. 

It also arrives immediately after new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced new responsibilities relating to tall residential buildings. 

LHC head of technical procurement, Dean Fazackerley, said:

“Energy efficiency, retrofit, and compliance are all top of the agenda for the public sector in 2023 and this looks set to deliver significant work for contractors and suppliers with expertise in these areas up to 2030 and beyond. 

“With the UK attempting to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, these frameworks answer a specific market need for specialists in energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and retrofit.”

The frameworks are:

• Asset Safety and Compliance (ASC1) Framework: This will help the public sector meet government guidelines around building safety and maintenance. It will provide property protection; asbestos management; water testing, treatment, and management; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning-related services; and electrical testing and remedials. Applications for inclusion on the framework are open from 30 January until 16 March 2023, with suppliers appointed in summer 2023 
• Refurbishment and Associated Retrofit Works Framework: This will support clients in delivering a range of refurbishment, improvement works, and associated retrofit works, including services from kitchen and bathroom replacement to external and fabric works, painting and decorating, and electrical and other multi-disciplinary works. Early market engagement will occur in February and March, with tender release likely in late spring or early summer 2023 
• Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Framework: Designed to support the public sector in its journey to net zero, this framework will deliver a range of energy efficiency and decarbonisation works and energy efficiency consultancy services. It will help improve asset and stock ratings using a range of specialist energy efficiency measures and works, such as solar PV and heat pumps, as well as combined solutions meeting PAS 2035 requirements for whole house retrofit. Early market engagement runs in the spring, with anticipated tender release summer 2023 
• Fire Safety (FS2) Framework: Supporting clients with a spectrum of fire safety requirements, FS2 will deliver pre-approved expertise in consultancy, installation, replacement and servicing. It will likely include a range of fire-related services including fire safety consultancy, fire risk assessments, fire safety inspections; passive fire protection installation, servicing, and maintenance; fire alarm installation testing, servicing, and maintenance; fire suppression system installation, servicing, and maintenance; waking watch services; and cladding remediation and replacement. Spring 2023 will see a period of early market engagement, with tender documents released in summer 
• Supply and Installation of Aluminium Windows and Doors Framework: The framework will deliver design, supply, and installation of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for public sector new build and refurbishment projects. Tender documents are anticipated for release in winter 2023, after early market engagement with clients, contractors, and supply chain across late summer and early autumn

Each of the five frameworks is now open for clients and suppliers to register early interest to receive updates and engagement opportunities via the organisation’s eTendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/LHC/aspx/Tenders/Forthcoming