Small to medium sized builders are being encouraged to apply for work on a £180 million building and refurbishment framework.

JV North's four-year programme is offering work valued at under £1m to smaller contractors.

Work will be divided into six areas: new build, refurbishment, modular build, disabled adaptations, supported housing and fire safety. Contractors will be required to deliver schemes relating to house building, refurbishments and adaptations. Works may also include fire safety schemes such as the installation of fire alarms, sprinklers and other fire protection and prevention works. Contractors can apply for any or all of the lots.

-- Advertisement --

Interested contractors can apply via a new procurement tool called the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) portal here.

Sean Stafford, Director of Saffer Cooper, which manages JV North's development programme, said: "The Dynamic Purchasing System simplifies the procurement process which really appeals to smaller SMEs.

"Many are put off by lengthy procurement processes or think the work is too big for them and will be taken by larger contractors.

"This is why we have split the four-year framework into two lots; one for works over £1 million and now one for works under £1 million.

"JV North members will have a significant amount of home building schemes valued under £1 million needing to be completed in the next four years that will be perfectly suited to smaller contractors.

"We know a lot of smaller contractors deliver excellent work and want to tap into this.

"By using SMEs, JV North's housing association members will be able to invest further in their local communities, supporting businesses and local economies."

The framework is anticipated to begin from September.

(LM)