The framework will radically reduce risk and costs for education and public works
A new £9.5 billion framework has been launched to help the public sector effectively manage legal and commercial risk when contracting for construction, demolition and refurbishment works.
Over £60 billion worth of public sector contracts are awarded through frameworks each year, but most use procurement models that were developed before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.
Developed in partnership with Weightmans, the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) and Identity Consult, the Crescent Construction Framework aims to address this growing need for procurement solutions that better reflect the complex legal and commercial requirements of such projects, protecting the end user from legal, commercial and deliverability risks while seizing the opportunities introduced by the new legislation.
Martin Vincent, partner at Weightmans, said: "Existing procurement frameworks left public sector organisations exposed to real legal and financial risk – simply because they weren't designed for the world we now operate in under the Procurement Act 2023.
“We saw consistent demand from colleges, schools, universities, museums, NHS Trusts, social housing providers, emergency services and local authorities for a better route, and that's exactly what we've built here. The Crescent Construction Framework removes the guesswork by combining legal rigour with genuine commercial practicality.
"What makes this different is how we developed it. We didn't sit in a room and theorise – we listened to end users, contractors and industry experts to understand what actually works and what doesn't. The result is a framework that gives our clients genuine flexibility, clear accountability, total wrap around support and the assurance that their project will be delivered according to plan from day one."
The framework will remain open until 2034, allowing suppliers to be added and removed to ensure it remains responsive to evolving market conditions. It comprises 45 geographically structured lots, creating opportunities for both national and regional contractors while giving contracting authorities greater flexibility when procuring for projects.
Trevor Payne, former Director of Estates and Capital Projects the University of Oxford, said: “As construction projects become more complex, public-sector organisations need procurement routes that support better decision-making from the outset. The right framework should help clients manage risk and create the conditions for successful project delivery.
"The Crescent Construction Framework reflects the way the sector is evolving. It has been designed to respond to changing market conditions and new regulatory requirements, while giving contracting authorities access to a procurement route that is compliant and focused on delivering long-term value. That's important because good procurement is about ensuring that projects are positioned for success from day one."
Peter McMullan, head of contracting services at Crescent Purchasing Consortium, added: “Frameworks of the future will need to be adaptable above all else. Partnerships like this are required to innovate new ways of navigating changing landscapes, and the Crescent Construction Framework has been carefully designed to deliver the best results. It is an eight-year open framework, allowing contractors to join, leave and return over time, all in keeping with the Procurement Act 2023.
“This flexibility, expertly built in for our members, makes it not only more accessible for public bodies but lends itself to better overall adaptability and compliance, guaranteeing a smoother and more efficient end user process.”
