The Synthetic Sports Facilities Framework was borne for a necessity for an education focused route to market that covers all aspects of putting in place alternatives to traditional grass sports fields. It covers the construction, installation, refurbishment, servicing and maintenance for:

  • Artificial grass pitches
  • Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)
  • Specialist courts
  • Cricket wickets
  • Athletics tracks
  • ...any other external sporting facilities

An institution may choose to implement a synthetic sports facility where the current provision is ineffective at giving students high quality performance space they require. In addition to this, the following benefits may be gained:

  • Useable all year round at any time of the day (with appropriate maintenance and lighting provision)
  • Does not require rest periods following heavy play to allow grass to recover, meaning it can be heavily utilised
  • Requires less maintenance and there is a lesser need for chemical usage
  • Choosing to provide the local community with access to the facilities may generate additional income
  • More efficient use of space, meaning that other previously used areas of ground can be repurposed

Member institutions should be sure to read the Framework User Guide prior to utilising the framework in order to ensure that they have a relative understanding of timescales and fundamental activities they will need to perform prior to a tendering process.

Key Facts

Start date
17th February 2020
End date
16th February 2024
Department for Education logo

The Department for Education (DfE) recommend this framework to Schools and Academies.

View all DfE Recommended Frameworks

Key Benefits of this Framework

  1. Successful suppliers are lead contractors rather than manufacturers, allowing for a single relationship with suppliers that will undertake the vast majority of works
  2. Contractors have attained a wide variety of accreditation for installation, health and safety compliance, testing etc.
  3. Contractors are capable of ensuring adherence to relevant professional governing body certifications for particular surface types including FIFA, FIH, ITF/LTA, World Rugby etc.
  4. Contractors will offer guidance, advice and knowledge sharing to help you achieve greater value from your facilities e.g. for surface types or maintenance frequency
  5. All contractors have been assessed across a range of relevant criteria including Health and Safety, Pricing, Project Management, CDM Regulations, Environmental Considerations, Safeguarding, Breadth of Coverage, Specialisms. Each contractor on the framework possesses the requisite policies, procedures and processes necessary to successfully deliver your requirements

How can I use this Framework

Member Institutions should take timescales for planning and information gathering into account when preparing their specification. Please read through the Framework User Guide prior to tendering.

  • LOT 1: Mini-Competition - This is the only available call-off method for member institutions looking to utilise Lot 1. Member institutions may choose to make use of one of the two mini-competion templates that have been provided based on their needs. Institutions should allow suppliers a minimum of 3 weeks to respond to their request based on the complexity of the requirements, however the recommended length of time is around one month to allow suppliers the opportunity for site visits and to formulate an adequate response.
  • LOT 2: Mini-Competition - This is the suggested call-off method for member institutions looking to utilise Lot 2. There is a mini-competition template within the user guide that institutions may choose to utilise. A minimum of two weeks should be provided in order to allow suppliers adequate time to formulate a bid response.
  • LOT 2: Direct Award - Where an institutions requirement is urgent they may choose to make use of this approach. Institutions should only direct award where what was laid out within the award criteria for the tendering process of the framework aligns itself with the requirements of that institution. Please see the Framework User Guide for further information.
    Tenet logo

    If you require support in running a further competition via this framework, Tenet Services can help. Tenet offer a nationwide service specialising in assisting education establishments to complete further competitions.

    Tenet are part of the Crescent Purchasing Group of Companies and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

    Go to Tenet Services

Get a Quote

The CPC Quote Tool is free to use for all our members and offers quick, compliant access to all suppliers on our frameworks for purchases that fall below £213,477.

"The Quote Tool was easy to use and time saving, resulting in a straightforward process where we just had to put the details in once and could then use the reputable suppliers already recommended."

Deborah Anderson-Dixon, Finance Manager at Sir William Romney's School

For purchases that exceed £213,477, the CPC Sourcing Cloud is available that complies with the regulations to allow electronic tender returns whilst still being free to use for our members. Find out more about CPC Sourcing Cloud.

Use This Framework

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You can buy through our frameworks if your institution is a CPC member. It’s free to join if you are from a school, academy, multi-academy trust, college, university or you offer educational services.

CPC is owned by the education sector and our 83 frameworks are designed to save you money whilst being safe, easy to use and compliant. Your CPC membership also provides:

  • One-to-one procurement support
  • Fully funded CPD accredited procurement courses
  • The opportunity to get funding from our charity CPL Group

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Associated Documentation

The following documents are associated with this framework. Some are required for successful use of the framework and are clearly marked.

File Details Essential
Synthetic Sports User GuideThis is required reading if you are considering using this framework. It tells you everything you need to know about the panel of providers, eligibility, running the mini-competition process, and evaluating bids. YesDownload
Lot 1 Mini Competition TemplateThe attached template document should assist you with running a mini-competition for the purposes of facility installation or refurbishment. Once completed it should be sent to all suppliers on Lot 1. YesDownload
Lot 2 Mini Competition TemplateThe attached template document should assist you with running a mini-competition for the purposes of facility maintenance and servicing. Once completed it should be sent to all suppliers on Lot 2. YesDownload
Mini Competition ChecklistIt is recommended that members utilise this checklist when undertaking a mini-competition process to maximise the likelihood of obtaining a satisfactory quantity and quality of bid responses from suppliers YesDownload
Pre-Tender Warm Up LetterIt is recommended best practice to warm up the market in advance of your mini-competition process. Once completed, members can attach this document to a request for quotation in order to contact potential suppliers. YesDownload
Direct Award Notification FormThis document should be utilised if you are seeking to direct award through this framework. All highlighted information within the call-off conditions should be completed, and the documents should be sent to the relevant persons as detailed in the notification document YesDownload

Related News

The DfE recommend CPC’s Synthetic Sports Facilities framework

CPC’s framework for external synthetic sports facilities has been evaluated and approved by the Department for Education.

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Following government guidance encouraging the prioritisation of outdoor sports within physical activity in schools, it’s never been a more important time to have a high quality maintenance programme for your synthetic sports facilities.

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Contract Manager

The contracting authority for this framework is Crescent Purchasing Consortium.

Lisa O'Shea

  • Name: Lisa O'Shea
  • Tel: 0161 974 0947
  • Email: [email protected]
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