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Solutions

LHC Procurement Group offers a range of solutions including Frameworks and DPS’s which are free-to-use and can be used by local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to procure works, products and services for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of social housing and public buildings in England, Scotland and Wales.

Frameworks

Frameworks are umbrella agreements that set out the terms that include specification, quality, price and quantity under which contracts (call-offs) can be made during the lifetime of the framework (normally 4 years). Suppliers compete through open competition to be appointed to a framework. Publicly funded bodies then access the suppliers that have successfully met the framework criteria by “calling-off” individual contracts.

The five stages

Stage 1: Pre-tender engagement

  • We monitor legislation, building regulations, standards and innovations that create a need to adapt or improve the way that works, goods or services are procured

  • We gather client and supplier feedback to identify and validate future procurement needs

Stage 2: Public tender

  • To ensure compliance with EU Directives and UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015, framework opportunities are advertised in Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) via Tenders Electronic Daily

  • Frameworks are typically split by workstream, region and value band to attract a wide range of suppliers, so that clients throughout the country have a choice of local suppliers or national operators to deliver their projects

  • Documentation comprises an Invitation to Tender, which specifies the works, goods or service being procured. It also inlcudes the Offer Document, which comprises a technical quality questionnaire and pricing templates that a supplier needs to complete and submit, as well as the General Terms & Conditions which govern how the framework operates and individual projects are called off by clients.

  • As part of their offer all suppliers wishing to become an LHC appointed company also complete a European Standard Procurement Document with questions that address a number of elements. This includes; company standing, financial standing, employment practices, health and safety practices, environmental awareness, capacity and geographical range, installation capability, technical capability, quality management, administrative capability and experience of supplying the public sector

  • Suppliers enjoy free and open access to the ITT and Offer documentation, accessible via our online e-portal. Suppliers are allocated a pre-set set time frame of  at least a month, but often longer depending on the complexity, in which to collate information and submit a bid.

Stage 3: Evaluation and award

  • We review every submission in detail

  • We then apply the MEAT principle (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) to take account of criteria that reflect qualitative, technical and sustainable aspects of the tender submission, as well as price when reaching an award decision. We do this by weighting the various sections accordingly

  • Tenders are ranked according to their final Value for Money score, which takes account of the weightings for each section

  • To ensure compliance with EU Directives and UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015, a Contract Award Notice is published in Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Journal (OJEU) via Tenders Electronic Daily

  • A detailed Tender Report is also prepared, showing the weighted scores under each heading, value for money index, and company or companies recommended for appointment

  • We typically appoint three or four of the highest scoring tenderers to each framework agreement regional lot

  • Numbers are based on likely demand and other considerations

Stage 4: Call off projects

  • Our nationwide network of client engagement officers “engage” with both our “client” contracting authorities throughout England, Wales and Scotland to identify suitable projects

  • We then assist clients wishing to “call off” a project under the framework, guiding them through the procurement process, providing technical and procurement advice, managing the Expressions of Interest, and verifying prices

  • Clients contract directly with the appointed company delivering the works

  • We then continue to monitor the project, liaising with both clients and appointed companies, to help identify and resolve potential issues, and ensure the timely and cost effective delivery of the project

  • At the end of each project we get feedback from clients on the performance of the appointed companies, and currently enjoy a 90% client satisfaction rating 

Stage 5: Community benefit

  • At the end of each financial year, as a not for profit, all excess revenue generated through levy income is rebated to our clients, based on project invoice value generated

  • This primary focus of rebates is typically local community social value projects

Framework Categories

LHC offers 18 frameworks nationally across 6 categories. Additionally there are various region specific frameworks available.

CONSTRUCTION, EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT


CONSTRUCTION, EXTENSION
AND REFURBISHMENT

ROOFING, WINDOWS AND DOORS


ROOFING, WINDOWS
AND DOORS

KITCHENS


KITCHENS

PROPERTY PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE


PROPERTY PROTECTION
AND MAINTENANCE

ENERGY EFFICIENCY


ENERGY EFFICIENCY

CONSULTANCY


CONSULTANCY

To find frameworks in your region, click on the required location below

North & Central England

London & SE England

Scotland

South West England

Wales

Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

LHCs DPSs are an open market solution designed to provide buyers with access to a pool of pre-qualified suppliers in respect of building works, goods and services for use in public sector housing construction, refurbishment and maintenance.

Benefits of using our DPS

Time saving

Quick and easy access to approved suppliers

Compliance

Confidence that you have access to pre-qualified trades with the right qualifications, experience and financial standing to deliver your project

Quality and value

Only suppliers who offer quality and value are pre-qualified

Choice

Access to a wide number of pre-qualified suppliers

Local delivery

Offers the opportunity to engage with local suppliers supporting the wider Government aim of working with local businesses for economic growth

Section 20 consultation

Our DPS makes it easier for clients to comply with leaseholder consultations by allowing leaseholder nominated trades with an opportunity to apply to join the DPS and if successful an opportunity to bid for work

How does a DPS differ from a Framework?

Framework

  • Maximum duration of 4 years
  • Direct award permissible
  • Fixed list of suppliers
  • Call-off documents have to be in line with what was structured when establishing the framework
  • Typically harder for small medium enterprises to access
  • Finite number of suppliers

DPS

  • No maximum time limit
  • No direct award (further competition only)
  • Flexible - suppliers can join during the lifetime of the DPS
  • Allows Clients to use their own T&Cs, pricing and specification   
  • Increased accessibility for small medium enterprises
  • No maximum number of suppliers

To find DPSs in your region, click on the required location below

North & Central England

London & SE England

Scotland

South West England

Wales

Register as a supplier today

You can keep up-to-date with LHC’s new framework and DPS releases by registering your details on the InTend eTendering Portal.

Register here

Alternatively, all of our current opportunities can be viewed here.

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