Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has announced the 15 companies which have secured a place on the £4 billion framework to procure the design and build of Academies and other educational facilities in local authorities.

£500m worth of contracts are expected to start procurement using the new Contractors Framework in the first five months of operation from December 2009.

The Contractors''Framework will operate across two discrete geographical areas. The first area will be made up of the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and the West Midlands; the second will be made up of the East of England, the South West, the South East and London. Nine of the 15 companies have been appointed to both geographical areas.

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Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: "Through the existing PfS National Framework, the cost of procuring new Academy schools has already reduced by around 30% delivering excellent value for money to the taxpayer. Building on this success, we are now unveiling a new framework, creating more opportunities for large and medium-sized construction companies across the country, during what are undoubtedly challenging times for the sector.

"With contracts in the region of £500m coming to market in the first five months alone, the new framework gives the successful contractors access to a predictable flow of work, supported by direct grant Government funding."

The companies appointed to the Contractors Framework are:

• North and Midlands
• Balfour Beatty Construction
• BAM Construction
• Bovis Lend Lease
• Carillion Construction
• Clugston Construction
• Interserve Projects Services
• Kier Regional
• Shepherd Construction
• Sir Robert McAlpine
• VINCI Construction
• Wates
• Willmott Dixon

• London, South and South East
• Apollo Property Services
• Balfour Beatty Construction
• BAM Construction
• Bovis Lend Lease
• Carillion Construction
• Interserve Projects Services
• JB Leadbitter & Co
• Kier Regional
• Rydon Group
• Sir Robert McAlpine
• Wates
• Willmott Dixon