Partnerships for Schools has announced the 22 companies shortlisted for the £4 billion framework to procure the design and build of Academies and other educational facilities in local authorities which are not yet engaged with the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The new Contractors' Framework - which will be operational by the end the year - offers opportunities for up to 24 main providers and their supply chains. While procured on a national basis the Contractors' Framework will have 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 East of England, the South West, the South East and London. Up to 12 contractors will be appointed for each of the two areas, with bidders able to express an interest in one or both.

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Pre Qualification Questionnaires were submitted by 57 companies, from which 18 have been shortlisted to continue with Invitation to Tender (ITT) process for the North and Midlands contract, and 18 for the London and South. Fourteen companies have been shortlisted for both geographical areas, with eight companies making it onto a single shortlist.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: "The interest in the new Contractors' Framework from large and medium-sized companies across the country demonstrates how all sectors of the construction industry see this as a great opportunity, particularly at a time when conditions are challenging. With over 127 Academies being delivered through BSF currently, with over 100 more in the pipeline, the new Framework will enable contractors and suppliers from across the country to get involved in a scheme that has a predictable flow of work, supported by direct grant Government funding.

"The new framework will secure the future work stream, maintaining the focus on streamlined and accelerated delivery of new academy schools. The existing Academies Framework has demonstrated the value of this approach, both in terms of providing best value for money to the public purse and securing educational transformation for communities."

(CD/KMcA)