en.Wedoany.com Reported - Facing the severe challenge of a £49 billion backlog in UK public building maintenance, LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG) is set to launch a £1.5 billion public building construction and infrastructure framework (PB4). This initiative aims to assist public sector procurement teams, including local governments, NHS trusts, housing associations, and educational institutions, in more efficiently executing new building construction, refurbishment, and related infrastructure projects within an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

In January 2025, the UK National Audit Office (NAO) estimated the government's building maintenance backlog at a minimum of £49 billion, with backlogs for Ministry of Defence properties, schools, and NHS buildings each exceeding £10 billion, collectively accounting for 88% of the total. This massive backlog is difficult to address in the short term. Meanwhile, public procurement rules are undergoing the most significant changes in a generation: technical guidance for the Procurement Act 2023 was published in February 2025, the government reaffirmed value for money, transparency, and fair competition in April, and updated compliance reporting and supplier exclusion guidance in June. Procurement teams must simultaneously navigate regulatory changes and project delivery pressures.

Against this backdrop, LHCPG's PB4 framework covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its pre-tender engagement, project call-off, and ongoing monitoring stages are supported by expert teams providing technical and procurement advice. The framework is divided into 10 lots based on project type and value: Lots 1-2 cover new public building construction valued at up to £2.5 million; Lots 3-4 cover refurbishment projects within the same value range; Lots 5-7 target projects valued at £2.5 million to £25 million and above, combining new build, refurbishment, and related services; Lots 8-9 involve civil infrastructure such as roads and drainage, valued below or above £2.5 million; Lot 10 focuses on hard facilities management services, including mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety, lifts, and fabric maintenance.

The framework emphasises support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The updated guidance under the Procurement Act 2023 requires contracting authorities to consider SME participation and lower entry barriers. The PB4 framework is open to all contractors, including SMEs, and particularly encourages SMEs to bid for lower-value lots, with significantly simplified tender documentation. The framework created by LHCPG aligns with "Constructing the Gold Standard," making it one of the few framework providers in the UK to implement this standard nationwide.