Constructing West Midlands 3 - Construction Framework

CWM3 is a publicly owned and managed framework, intended to deliver general construction and building services work. The main areas of activity will comprise of individual construction projects or programmes, including new build, extensions, remodelling, retrofit, refurbishment, renovation and repair work, mechanical and electrical services and infrastructure works, and may also include design and other services as required to develop and construct the works.

Contractor Partners selected to join the framework will be expected to demonstrate a strong collaborative working ethos - engaging openly and closely with the CWM Framework Management Team, client organisations, consultants, and other Contractor partners - and to provide clear support throughout the pre construction period. Their performance will be monitored against a comprehensive set of performance indicators.

The framework will consist of 3 Lots as follows:

Lot 1: Minor Works (works generally £250,000 to £5,000,000) with 8 Contractor Partners.

Lot 2: Medium Works (works generally £2,000,000 to £15,000,000) with 6 Contractor Partners.

Lot 3: Major Works (works generally over £10,000,000) with 6 Contractor Partners.

Tenders may be submitted for a single Lot only. This restriction also applies to groups of companies. CWM will only allow a single bid from an organisation and its group companies for one Lot. The ITT does allow a Tenderer to submit as a consortium with its group companies and the Framework makes provision for these Affiliate companies to enter into Call-Off Contracts directly with authorities.

While Contractor Partners will generally be allocated works within the typical value range for their Lot, there are circumstances where exceptions may apply. These exceptions allow Contractor Partners from higher or lower Lots to undertake works outside their usual value range where this approach delivers clear benefits such as cost efficiency, specialist expertise, or operational advantages. Further details around this are set out in the Operations Manual.

CWM endeavours to adopt industry best practice principles wherever possible including the Construction Playbook: Government Guidance on Sourcing and Contracting Public Works Projects and Programmes and promotes the New Models of Construction Procurement, in particular use of two stage open book.

The Framework sets out a number of Permitted Forms of Call-Off Contract which are available for authorities to use. Full details are set out in Schedule 2 to the Framework, but these allow the flexibility for authorities to use the Model Form of Call-Off Contracts (incorporating its standard amendments) or utilise any of the NEC or JCT forms with their own amendments. In addition, there is scope to use alternative contract forms where an alternative approached is preferred such as an alliance arrangement.

Please note that an award of a Call-Off is for the entirety of the Project covered by an authority within its Call-Off process as detailed within the Operations Manual. Authorities may enter into contracts following the expiry of the Framework if such contract is caught by the spoke of a Call-Off Process awarded and entered into prior to the expiry of the Framework (e.g. PCSA is entered into with a notice to proceed to a Works Contract).

CWM is committed to complying with all mandatory requirements set out in the National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF) Regional Framework Accreditation Attributes, ensuring its continued membership of the NACF.

In addition, CWM will strive to fulfil the NACF's core objectives by:

• sharing best practice with fellow members, framework users and the wider public sector;
• providing guidance and support to public sector organisations where requested;
• promoting social value through procurement and construction framework activity;
• strengthening links between local and central government on construction related matters.