Kick off for DfE-backed Sports Facilities framework

Keeping outdoor sports on the curriculum in spite of the British weather, CPC's updated resource for Sports Facilities purchasing arrives with Department for Education approval, making it a recommended choice for education institutions seeking to kick on and, indeed, kick off in 2024.

Presented by its full title, our new Sports Facilities Installation, Refurbishment, and Maintenance framework replaces the previous Synthetic Sports Surfaces agreement, which expired in February, picking up its remit of support for the provision of 3G pitches, with multi-use games areas, tennis courts, athletic tracks and cricket wickets likewise encompassed within its broad scope (further details of which can be found outlined on the new framework's dedicated page here).

An additional aspect of the framework enables our institutions to procure pitch maintenance, be it weekly, monthly, annual or ad-hoc, in order to optimise the performance of an outdoor synthetic surface - and to maximise its life expectancy. This brings with it savings potential, in delaying any eventual replacement.

In updating from its prior iteration, this agreement places new focus towards innovative services and social value, while its approved suppliers have confirmed they are able to adhere to the SAPCA Infill Protocol 2021 and implement suitable preventative and reactive measures, in order to protect the local environment.

Among the framework's highlighted benefits, its successful suppliers are lead contractors, allowing for a single relationship between institutions and suppliers that will undertake the vast majority of works. The framework's contractors have attained a wide variety of accreditations and are capable of ensuring adherence to relevant professional governing body certifications for particular surface types, including FIFA, FIH, ITF/LTA and World Rugby.

Split into two distinct lots, covering the installation and refurbishment, as well as the maintenance, of outdoor surfaces, respectively, the full selection of suppliers can be found on the CPC Sports Facilities framework page, which also carries additional details and information for potential users to explore.

The newly-launched Sports Facilities framework is set to continue to 16th February 2026, with two year-long extensions available to take it to extra-time.