NHS prepares to launch £900 million second-generation construction framework with focus on SMEs and sustainability

NHS Shared Business Services is initiating early market engagement for a new £900 million construction framework designed to boost opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and embed sustainability in public sector infrastructure projects across the UK and Crown dependencies.

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has initiated early market engagement for the second generation of its Public Sector Construction Works framework, anticipated to be valued at approximately £900 million including VAT. The forthcoming framework, scheduled to commence in October 2027 and run for four years, aims to facilitate construction works and professional services not only for NHS entities but also for broader public sector organisations across the UK, as well as Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. This iteration has been streamlined into three distinct lots: minor works, intermediate works, and major works, intentionally designed to encourage participation from small and medium-sized enterprises along with voluntary sector organisations.

The framework revision marks a shift from the prior structure, which consisted of five value-banded lots distributed across various regional and national levels, categorized by project size—from projects under £2.5 million to those exceeding £35 million. According to NHS SBS, the ongoing engagement process, which includes a preliminary market engagement questionnaire due by 13 November 2025, is planned to influence the shaping of procurement strategies and service specifications. A formal contract notice for the framework is expected to be issued in September 2026, ahead of the current framework’s expiration in December 2027.

This development fits within a broader landscape of NHS-related construction procurement. Notably, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and NHS England have maintained active collaboration through frameworks such as the Construction Works and Associated Services 2 (CWAS2) / ProCure23, launched in 2022. This framework serves as a complementary route to market focusing on NHS bodies in England and supports an array of public sector construction projects, ranging from hospitals and schools to prisons and residential housing. The agreement projects capped rates for design, construction, and associated building services, aimed at underpinning the UK’s economic recovery while facilitating efficient project delivery.

The CWAS2 framework also reflects modern procurement policies by incorporating government initiatives such as building information modelling (BIM), life cycle costing, prompt payment, project bank accounts, early contractor involvement, and social value principles. This framework arrangement has been celebrated for driving transformative advances within NHS infrastructure, as highlighted by CCS and NHS England in May 2025 when they marked three years of collaboration that delivered over £1.8 billion in healthcare construction projects and guaranteed a pipeline representing an additional £1.7 billion in future developments. The partnership prioritises innovation in construction approaches to achieve cost-effective and timely healthcare facility enhancements.

In alignment with the NHS SBS and CCS initiatives, other frameworks relevant to the public sector’s construction and sustainability goals are underway. For instance, NHS Commercial Solutions has launched the Sustainable Estates Solutions Framework Agreement aimed at enabling NHS and other public sector organisations to access consultancy and services focused on the decarbonisation of their built environments—an increasingly critical factor in public sector infrastructure management. Similarly, Procurement for Housing is advancing a Public Sector Non-Residential Construction Works & Services Framework designed to offer multidisciplinary non-residential construction and consultancy services, promoting compliance with sustainability standards like Constructing the Gold Standard.

The emerging frameworks collectively reinforce the NHS and public sector’s strategic direction towards not only maintaining and expanding essential infrastructure but also embedding sustainability and innovative procurement practices throughout their construction activities. The renewal and introduction of these frameworks underscore a concerted effort to broaden access to a diverse supplier base, foster economic recovery, and deliver long-term value for public investment.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative was published on 9 October 2025. A similar announcement was made on 16 June 2025 regarding the Modular Buildings 3 framework, valued at £500 million. ([constructionnews.co.uk](https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/tech/offsite-mmc/firms-win-places-on-500m-modular-framework-16-06-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The £900 million framework is a new initiative, indicating freshness. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No earlier versions of this narrative were identified. The report includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable industry publication. However, the website is currently inaccessible due to a robots.txt restriction, preventing direct verification. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims about the £900 million framework align with the NHS’s ongoing efforts to enhance construction procurement. The report mentions a preliminary market engagement questionnaire due by 13 November 2025, which is consistent with standard procurement timelines. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as direct quotes or detailed data, which slightly reduces the score. The language and tone are consistent with official communications.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative is fresh and based on a recent press release, indicating originality. The absence of direct quotes and specific factual anchors slightly reduces the reliability and plausibility scores. The source is generally reputable, though direct verification is currently limited. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-checking criteria with medium confidence.