Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), in partnership with Weightmans and Identity Consult, is developing a new national construction framework that will usher in a step-change in how public sector building projects are procured.
The new Crescent Construction framework will address long-standing concerns about existing construction frameworks, working to deliver a best-in-class solution. The framework will not only give public sector clients confidence in compliance and delivery but will offer contractors fair access to a pipeline of high-value projects and provide contracting authorities with a compliant, transparent and efficient route to market.
Why are we doing it?
Through market engagement and research, several recurring issues and challenges with existing frameworks were highlighted across the sector, which expose public bodies to several types of risk (including litigation, funder audit risk and government audit risk).
The solution: Crescent Construction Framework
Our partnership has developed a framework that offers a best-in-class solution to the problems identified and a bespoke design, one that will provide both authorities and contractors with confidence, clarity and efficiency during its lifecycle, aligning with:
The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS)
The Government’s Construction Playbook
The Gold Standard for Construction Frameworks
This will ensure the framework is recognised and trusted by clients and funders alike.
Key features:
Compliance by design: Built around Procurement Act 2023, offering contracting authorities’ certainty and reducing legal risk
Pre-drafted contract options: Developed by specialist construction lawyers to balance risk fairly and accelerate contract finalisation
Upfront compliance pack: Supplied to customers as standard, evidencing the robustness of the procurement process; something not currently offered by other frameworks
Performance monitoring: Contractor KPIs will be tracked and shared, helping customers make informed choices and driving continuous improvement
Open framework structure: Competition will be refreshed every two years, ensuring the agreement remains relevant, competitive and market-facing
Flexible routes to award:
Direct award, including the ability to tailor criteria to align with organisational strategies and values
Competitive award, with streamlined processes that quickly reduce bidders to a shortlist of 2-3, enabling meaningful dialogue
Compliant two-stage procurement where required
Benefits for contractors:
The framework will also be designed to unlock opportunities for suppliers while reducing the cost and complexity of engagement
Long-term pipeline: An eight-year agreement with regular opportunities to refresh data used in buying decisions
Direct access to projects: With limited numbers of suppliers per lot (6), contractors will face less dilution of opportunity
More efficient bidding: Faster direct award and simplified mini-competition processes reduce bid costs and timescales
Balanced risk: Pre-drafted contract options give contractors confidence that terms are fair and reduce the time spent in negotiation
Broad client base: Open to all parts of the public sector; central government, healthcare, education, local authorities, housing and emergency services
How to get involved - don't miss out!
The Invitation to Tender will be live from 30th September until 30th October 2025.
Contractors that did not participate in the pre-market engagement still have a full opportunity to engage in this process and seize a unique chance to help shape and benefit from this framework; a framework designed to set the benchmark for compliant, efficient and fair construction procurement, across the UK public sector.
The tender will be published via the MultiQuote tendering portal, under the Project reference CA16292 and the preceding PME Notice reference is 2025/S 000-046006.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this process or the new CPC Construction framework, please contact us to find out more, by emailing [email protected] or call the CPC Helpdesk on 0800 066 2188. Our team will be more than happy to help.