Bigger slice of National Academies framework to go to SMEs

Work starved regional contractors are set to be offered the chance to join a new £4bn National Academies framework as the scope for entry is widened to include SMEs.

Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is to advertise the framework this week and CJ understands the organisation is ready to offer a bigger slice to regional contractors.

The original National Academies framework lasts until 2010 and includes six large contractors - Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Skanska and Willmott Dixon. But Skanska and Laing O'Rourke have bid for little academies work, instead focusing on more lucrative BSF schemes.

A source close to BSF explained that this time round PfS is determined to include regional contractors and that SMEs "won't be disappointed".

It is expected that PfS will advertise for four national and six regional contractors, and may even split the framework into two regions, north and south. Depending on their coverage, a contractor could then bid for both or either.

Many large regional contractors have been lobbying hard for the chance to work as main contractor on the schemes and deliver local value.

Bob Rendell, group chief executive at Leadbitter, said he was optimistic that PfS had listened to the concerns of regional contractors pleas. "We are hopeful that we can contribute to the Academies Framework as a main contractor, rather than down the supply chain," he said.

"Our track record of delivery of the right type of projects on time to the right quality means we are well-placed to deliver."

Duncan Rarity, head of national frameworks at Shepherd, said that medium and smaller contractors had a lot to offer the delivery of a large national programme.

He added: "Medium-sized contractors can work more efficiently with a local authority than bigger operators. This will help deliver best practice and best value for the framework."