The Crescent Construction framework is a newly developed, industry-leading solution with a bespoke design. It is a comprehensive and dependable framework specifically crafted to empower intermediaries responsible for public sector construction project management.
Purpose-built to foster a transparent, robust and fully compliant framework environment, it enables intermediaries - such as project managers, employer’s agents, cost consultants and technical advisers - to confidently advise clients and manage procurement procedures efficiently and proportionately, minimising risk and maximising assurance.
The framework is designed to simplify processes, enhance clarity and resolve uncertainties commonly faced by advisers when navigating traditional construction frameworks, ensuring greater consistency and confidence throughout the project lifecycle.
Why the framework matters for intermediaries?
Through market engagement and sector research, CPC identified recurring challenges across existing construction frameworks that can create difficulty for those advising and supporting public bodies. This can include: uncertainty around compliance and audit assurance, inconsistent or opaque award mechanisms, extended procurement timescales, unbalanced or unclear contract provisions and limited flexibility to reflect project‑specific requirements.
The Crescent Construction framework has been developed to address these issues by providing a well‑structured, professionally designed framework that supports informed advice and effective project governance throughout the framework lifecycle.
Why choose the Crescent Construction framework?
Extensive market engagement and sector-specific research conducted by CPC has highlighted persistent challenges encountered by public sector bodies when utilising construction frameworks. These include exposure to legal and audit risks, insufficient transparency, delays in awarding contracts, inconsistent contract terms and restricted flexibility to tailor procurement to organisational objectives.
The framework has been meticulously developed to overcome these obstacles, providing a market-leading solution that enables confident, informed decision-making at project level. It delivers a transparent, compliant and efficient procurement route, ensuring organisations can achieve timely and successful outcomes while aligning with their strategic priorities.
Who is creating the framework?
The framework has been established by Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) in collaboration with specialist legal advisers Weightmans and technical advisers Identity Consult. It serves as a nationwide solution for the efficient procurement and delivery of public sector construction projects.
The framework provides you with:
A compliance‑led foundation
The framework has been built around the Procurement Act 2023 and aligned with the National Procurement Policy Statement, the Government’s Construction Playbook and the Gold Standard for Construction Frameworks. This provides advisers with a clear basis for confidence when supporting clients through internal governance, audit and funder assurance processes.
Greater clarity in procurement strategy
The framework offers defined and flexible routes to award, including direct award, streamlined competitive award and compliant two‑stage procurement. This enables advisers to help clients select procurement strategies that reflect project scale, complexity and risk profile while remaining clearly compliant.
Reduced friction at contract stage
Pre‑drafted contract options developed by specialist construction lawyers support reduced negotiation time, greater consistency across projects and clearer allocation of risk between parties, allowing intermediaries to focus on delivery rather than contractual uncertainty.
Evidenced transparency and audit trail
Customers are provided with an upfront compliance pack evidencing the robustness of the framework procurement and its operation. This supports advisers in preparing reports, advising senior decision‑makers and responding to audit or external scrutiny.
Performance‑informed delivery
Contractor performance will be monitored against agreed KPIs, with performance information shared with customers. This enables advisers to support informed contractor selection, monitor delivery trends and assist clients with performance management.
A design which stays current
The framework operates on an open structure with competition refreshed every two years, allowing supplier data to remain current and ensuring the framework remains credible and usable throughout long‑term capital programmes.
Supporting effective project delivery
The Crescent Construction framework is designed to support intermediaries in their role as trusted advisers by providing a clear and defensible procurement route, reduced legal and procedural ambiguity, flexibility to reflect project‑specific needs, transparency that supports governance and assurance, and alignment with recognised public sector best practice.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the CPC Construction framework or if you'd like to register your interest in using the framework once it launches please contact us to find out more, by emailing [email protected] or call the CPC Helpdesk on 0800 066 2188.