From Concept to Completion - Utilising the Estates portfolio across NHS Procurement in Partnership
Well-built, resilient buildings are vital to the functioning of the NHS – and all trusts will constantly be looking to future-proof their estates to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Members of any of the organisations that make up NHS Procurement in Partnership (NHS PiP)* have access to a broad range of frameworks within the Estates and Facilities Management category that can support a project from concept to completion.
Here, we have taken a look at some of those contracts, that can take you from the planning stage through to the opening of your facility and beyond.
*NHS PiP is made up of NHS Commercial Solutions, East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub, NHS London Procurement Partnership and NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative.
Consultancy and Project Management
If you have a concept for a building or construction project it can be difficult to know where to start. Two frameworks that could help you get your concept off the ground are Estates Consultancy Services (NOE CPC) and Estates and Facilities Consultancy Services Dynamic Purchasing System (NHS LPP).
Estates Consultancy Services is a free to access framework offering customers a range of quality providers, with health economy experience, through a multi-lot agreement, with services including project management, health and safety and architectural services. This framework offers the flexibility to direct purchase with no minimum volume or commitment period. A mini-competition is also available.
Estates and Facilities Consultancy Services Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) offers the chance for smaller enterprises to bid for public sector work. Under this agreement there is increased competition, as suppliers can bid for a place on the DPS at any time, while the award of individual tenders can be completed in as little as ten days.
Construction
Once you have your concept and you have sourced any further expertise you may require, it will be time to find a supplier who can build your project.
The Minor Works and Maintenance DPS (NHS LPP) has recently been updated to allow you to undertake larger construction projects, while under the Minor Works Trades and Associated Services DPS (NOE CPC) you can source suppliers to work on any project worth up to £5m, including construction.
Both of these agreements encourage competition, with suppliers able to bid for a place on the contract at any time. The Minor Works Trades and Associated Services DPS includes a provider search tool which lets you find the right supplier for your job with filters for trade, location and licences/accreditation. The Minor Works and Maintenance DPS has the added flexibility to on-board your incumbent suppliers before running a quick competition, to allow them the same opportunity to bid for these works.
If it’s a temporary structure you are after, you can use the Modular/Pre-fabricated Building Solutions framework (NHS CS). Temporary units provide a cost-effective solution for establishing buildings rapidly without interrupting services. The buildings can be designed, constructed, delivered, installed and maintained according to clients’ requirements, with a range of uses covered, from surgeries to wards, storage space to offices. Both mini-competition and direct award options are available.
Building supplies and Trades
There are various frameworks that can provide building supplies to support your construction project, or tradespeople to support the ongoing maintenance of your building once it is complete.
The Estates Consumables and Equipment framework (NOE CPC) provides a one-stop shop for a range of estates related products, materials, consumables and equipment, including MRO spares. Members can access an electronic catalogue which provides a comprehensive list of the products available. Both direct award and further competition options are available.
When it comes to managing your estates, the Estates, Maintenance and Engineering (Hard FM) framework (NOE CPC) can help. It offers contracting authorities the opportunity to procure a wide range of specialist services including asbestos removal, fire risk assessments and water system maintenance. The framework has the flexibility to meet your requirements, from addressing maintenance backlogs to setting up Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programmes to reduce the breakdown of equipment and increase operational efficiencies. Customers utilising this framework can benefit from selecting a supplier to deliver a single service or a fully managed solution. Both direct award and further competition options are available.
Meanwhile, the Total Facilities Management framework (NHS LPP) covers an even broader range of maintenance works and trades across Soft FM, Hard FM, Total FM, cleaning, catering and security requirements, via further competition. It provides a flexible solution in regard to the changes that may affect both the NHS and the wider public sector during the life of the framework.
Frameworks provided by NHS PiP can support your estates team to fully realise any project, and source suppliers to support the ongoing maintenance of your completed project.
For more information on any of these frameworks, please contact our Support Desk.