Lord Prior, Under Secretary of State for NHS Productivity at the Department of  Health, today gave the go ahead to start the procurement process for a new Framework contract to replace the existing P21+ Framework, which expires in September 2016. This provides NHS clients access to fully integrated contractor supply chains without the need to go out to tender themselves.

The current P21+ Framework has over £4 billion worth of new build and refurbishment work registered to be undertaken by 6 Principal Supply Chain Partners and their Supply Chain Members. It has recently been awarded a British Construction Industry Award 2015 for the development and implementation of Repeatable Rooms as a part of the framework cost reduction programme for healthcare facilities.

The new framework will continue to address the principles of effective collaboration between the Department of Health, NHS and Construction Supply Chains whilst addressing the process of delivering further cost efficiency savings for the NHS.

The OJEU Prior Information Notice (PIN) will be issued in the near future to confirm the start of the procurement process, which will be completed by the end of September 2016. The procurement programme details will be published when they are available on the P21+ Website www.procure21plus.nhs.uk. There will be events provided for the NHS and Construction Industry over the coming months at which the Department of Health will provide an overview of the basis of the new framework as well as providing an opportunity for those attending to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposals for the new framework.